TERROR
(Thursday) The ongoing attacks, such as the bombings experienced in Turkey these last few days, suggest that the terrorists don't understand the Western mindset and resolve. The more incidents, the more the American and British populace are willing to back militaristic build-ups. Of course, conventional military responses don't really help in fighting irrational and unconventional guerrillas. And that's why these things spin mindlessly out of control.

The same thing is happening in Iraq. The Americans and the Brits are looking for an exit strategy. They would like to go home ASAP. But as long as the resistance movement is active they're going to dig in for the long haul. In this sense the resistance people are shooting themselves in the foot every time they shoot someone or blow something up. At this point they are their own worst enemies.

It all points to the gospel text from last Sunday -- "And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately. Nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, and famines. But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come." Mark 13:7-8 (NLT)

In other words, as horrible as all these things are, we ain't seen nothin', yet.