Student Reading 1: Searching for reasons

For discussion

1. What questions do you have about the reading? How might they be answered?

Why didn’t we get to see the questions Obama was asked? This could be answered by the full transcript of the press conference.

2. What is President Obama's answer? Brennan's? 

Obama says that al Qaeda wants to get more more people without know terrorist affiliations. Also that we should be talk to the muslims around the world about how al Qaeda has nothing to offer and the the U.S have lots.

Brennan said the al Qaeda is dedicated to murder and wanton slaughter of innocents.  They have been trying to get more individuals for their attacks. The motivation is religion.

3. Thomas was clearly dissatisfied with Brennan's answer. Why? Would she have been satisfied with the president's? Why or why not?

Thomas wasn’t satisfied with Brennan’s answer because he wouldn’t say why al Qaeda was using a banner of religion. I think she would of liked the president’s because he explained why al Qaeda was recruiting new people.  I think the main problem with Brennan’s answer was that he wasn’t answering her question.

4. Why does Glenn Greenwald think its important to consider terrorist motivations? Do you agree? Why or why not?

Greenwald thinks its important to consider terrorist motivations cause surprisingly people don’t ask many questions about it. Yes I do agree cause terrorist are very important cause they could easily hurt our economy or destroy a memorable statue or place.

5. How would you answer Thomas' question, "Why?" Why do Hasan, Abdulmutallab, and others commit such acts?? If you need more reliable information, where might you find it?

They commit these acts cause they want to get more people involved with their group. Also they hate our american system. Now that Osama Bin Laden is dead, Al Qaeda may be over. Al Qaeda’s goal has not changed. Also they have kept using terrorism.

Links:

Conant, Jessica. "Readers Supported News." Bin Laden's Dead, Al Qaeda's Not. By Richard Clarke, The New York Times, 05/11/03. Web. 15 Sep 2011. <http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/289-134/5822-bin-ladens-dead-al-qaedas-not>.