Jake Bilardi - who do we blame for him?

[i-need-a-martini]

Another event that highlights the nonsense that sometimes surrounds the young men who stupidly go off to fight with IS.

We often hear on here that the parents are to blame for bringinging their hatred of the ''infidels'' to australia and instilling it into their children. Ignoring the grief these parents are clearly suffering.

And yet here is another case that defies that logic.

A young catholic boy from a seemingly good home who gets sucked into the whole propaganda.

As Bob would say, discuss.

[azureline**]

I don't understand why blame has to be apportioned to anyone, when I make a mistake, I blame myself.

Sometimes I see others make a mistake and have to make someone else feel responsible............ why is that?

[cherry*135]

From what I read about Jake, his mother died 2-3 years ago, he remained living in the same house with his older brother. The house/yard became run down/derelict looking.

I did see a photo of his father in the media, snapped by photographer while father was driving his car. Don't know if he was part of Jake's life.

Jake is reported to have been (understandably) very affected by his mothers death. Which was about the time he started looking at going overseas to join IS.

A young male 'lost' with little/no parental support.

[cherry*135]

Something I don't understand how it works is -Julie Bishop cancelled his passport due to his activities . Before or after he left I am not sure. If it was before, he would have needed a fake passport to travel on?

If it was after he left, what happens if that person (presume Aust citizen) if they decide to come back to Australia?

[i-need-a-martini]

My opinion is that (regardless of religion) are being targeted because they are vulnerable.

And because they are vulnerable, they are much easier to brainwash.

It's it really fair to apportion blame to anyone if they have been brainwashed?

[cherry*135]

It is those persons in Australia who are (recruiting?) and doing the brainwashing that are the problem.

[polksaladallie]

I agree.  Many people are brainwashed into many different sects.  I don't know why some are acceptable and others are not.  IMO they are all dangerous, because the choices of the individuals are all but removed, and they become malleable to whatever dangers or twisted ideas are offered.

If the comments in post # 3 are correct, then I say poor little bugger.  Not his fault at all.

[Anonymous]

A young catholic boy from a seemingly good home who gets sucked into the whole propaganda.

"Still, as an Atheist of only 13 years of age I couldn't believe everything I was seeing and hearing, my views of the Muslims were very positive and when it came to organisations such as the Taliban, my views almost six years ago would be considered by the Australian government as extreme and myself an Islamic extremist, although I was still an Atheist, a little confusing I know."

"I saw the Taliban as simply a group of proud men seeking to protect their land and their people from an invading force, while I did not necessarily agree with their ideology, their actions were in my opinion completely justified.

"... It was from my investigations into the invasions and occupations of both Iraq and Afghanistan that gave birth to my disdain for the United States and its allies, including Australia.

"It was also the start of my respect for the mujahideen that would only grow to develop into a love of Islam and ultimately bring me here to the Islamic State."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-12/jake-bilardi-islamic-state-alleged-blog-radicalisation-journey...

He attended Craigieburn Secondary High and was an "atheist school student in affluent Melbourne", according to a blog post he was believed to have written.

The post described his life in Melbourne as "very comfortable", and detailed his dream of becoming a political journalist.

According to the blog, Bilardi was exposed from a young age to his eldest brother's interest in international politics, though pointed out he was not radicalised by his brother.

Path to radicalisation

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-13/jake-bilardi-what-we-know-australian-teenager-islamic-state/63...

[i-need-a-martini]

Julia. - whilst the media are now only getting their information from his blog rantings, early comments by his aunt (made before they realised the extent of his involvement) highlight an ordinary boy in a fairly affluent (and large ) extended Italian Catholic family who became distant after the trauma of his mother's death.

[i-need-a-martini]

So like I -a vulnerable kid makes for an easy target.