Comments on The enemy is at the gates . . . but which type of enemy?

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Re:

Interesting concept, lion, but I believe that may fall under the category of "brainwashing." I do know what you mean though. I read and heard about many organizations like that who do unspeakable things to their members, only to tell them ( and others ) that if was for the good of the entire group! Yeah, those people are extremely dangerous as well . . .  

posted by JimmyA on May 1, 2013 at 6:49 AM | link to this | reply

Re: JimmyA

Yeah, Sir Wiley, that would be a concern too! But if he's willing to "lose" you, I'm sure it's probably because he had nothing to lose as well . . . 

posted by JimmyA on May 1, 2013 at 6:46 AM | link to this | reply

I'm not sure... I tend to think that the worst kind of enemy is the one with perfect propeganda - the enemy that makes you believe that they are helping and that an suffering is all your own fault

posted by lionreign on May 1, 2013 at 4:51 AM | link to this | reply

JimmyA

I'd be more concerned about the guy that really wants to 'lose' me with his RPG or whatever.

posted by WileyJohn on April 30, 2013 at 9:40 PM | link to this | reply

Re:

That's how I've always felt, sam! No one wants to go to jail, no one wants to lose their car or house, no one wants to see a loved one teased, tormented or hurt, no one wants to have to hire an expensive lawyer to defend themselves, no one wants to see their property damaged or defaced in any way . . .  but any or all of those scenarios are possible when going up against some type of antagonist who has nothing to lose! Scary indeed . . . 

posted by JimmyA on April 30, 2013 at 8:29 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Jimmy

I believe, Naut, that that may be yet another spin on the concept of having nothing to lose; at least nothing to lose in this mortal coil. And if I may say so, I think that anyone . . . and I mean anyone . . . who truly believes that they will enter Paradise, or their form of Paradise, after perpetrating a heinous act that they also believe will bring them martyrdom, has been clearly and obviously brain-washed! I think you'd agree with that . . .  

posted by JimmyA on April 30, 2013 at 8:25 AM | link to this | reply

Re:

Good question, adnohr. Maybe. Maybe not. Personally I would think no because, as we've seen and heard over the years, some crazed people have been doing some very unspeakable things, clearly showing that 1) they obviously had no regard for others, and 2) by perpetrating their deadly deed, they knew that eventually they would be going down, also clearly showing that they knew they had nothing to lose going in! An extremely dangerous combination for sure . . .  

posted by JimmyA on April 30, 2013 at 8:21 AM | link to this | reply

Re:

Thanks, lovelylady! I thought so too! I think everyone will be able to understand where I'm coming from on this one . . . 

posted by JimmyA on April 30, 2013 at 8:15 AM | link to this | reply

Re:

That they are, FSI. And without going into too much detail, I have been unfortunate in my lifetime to be forced to live amongst such types of people, and in certain incidences, you've really got to learn to grit your teeth and look the other way, lest you become drawn into a "battle" you simply cannot win! 

posted by JimmyA on April 30, 2013 at 8:15 AM | link to this | reply

Re:

It could play out like that, mariss. I'm sure it's a domino affect, a series of events that placed those people into that position. However, I think even fanatics feel they may have something to gain from their actions, and couldn't be any worse off than they were when they started down that path! But once they reach that position of nothing to lose . . . 

posted by JimmyA on April 30, 2013 at 8:11 AM | link to this | reply

Re:

It is sad, lustor. Perhaps if others took the time to consider what may have put those people into that position in the first place, we could better understand their motives when they do go "over the edge!" However, sometimes people are placed in that position through no fault of their own, and that makes it even more difficult to ascertain their motives . . .  

posted by JimmyA on April 30, 2013 at 8:07 AM | link to this | reply

Re:

Very good assessment, Against! But something still tells me that, for someone to reach that level of thinking, that level of inconsideration for their fellow man, they've probably already reached the point of having nothing to lose! No, those people will never look in the mirror for answers. It's probably easier for them to simply act out their aggressions . . . 

posted by JimmyA on April 30, 2013 at 8:05 AM | link to this | reply

The guy that has nothing to lose is indeed the scariest of all for me, too! sam 

posted by sam444 on April 29, 2013 at 11:10 PM | link to this | reply

Jimmy

I'm actually more concerned about those who sincerely believe they will enter Paradise when they are 'martyred'...

posted by Nautikos on April 29, 2013 at 5:45 PM | link to this | reply

I wonder - can someone who has nothing to lose still have empathy for a fellow human?

posted by adnohr on April 29, 2013 at 2:46 PM | link to this | reply

Well said, Jimmy!

posted by lovelyladymonk on April 29, 2013 at 12:45 PM | link to this | reply

I feel that is the worst type of enemy too. They truly are willing to pull out all of the stops.

posted by FormerStudentIntern on April 29, 2013 at 11:36 AM | link to this | reply

Them and crazed fanatics who have lost their rational thoughts and are unable to listen to reason or respond to anything but their aggression agenda.  They wind up losing and then have nothing to lose.

posted by mariss9 on April 29, 2013 at 9:26 AM | link to this | reply

and sadly there are too many people like that

posted by Lanetay on April 29, 2013 at 9:03 AM | link to this | reply

The worst kind of enemy is one that has no moral regard for their fellow human beings.  They consider all means, even cheating and lying, justified in order to vanquish who they deem the scum of the earth.  Maybe they should look in the mirror.

posted by Against4WindsOn2Flam on April 29, 2013 at 8:50 AM | link to this | reply