Originally Posted by abaya

/me agrees with Percy, particularly Roachboy's quote here:


As for the question of poverty: Ustwo, have ya been to the Middle East lately? There aren't millions of rich people running around. In fact, there are very few, and those are VERY rich, yes. But they are far from being the majority. Check out the movie Syriana for a semi-decent portrayal of what drives people to violence in that, or any, area of the world.

Poverty does not determine behavior 100%, I certainly agree. But being black or brown or living in a ghetto does not a violent person make. Material conditions have a very strong impact on culture and social organization in particular, no less so in the Middle East than right here in affluent America. Infrastructure is the foundation of structure and superstructure, not the other way around. And certainly, race is not the foundation of behavior... (can't believe I actually had to say that).

(I suppose we are getting off topic. Sorry.)