[JimSEA]

Tancredo's Mecca statement considered along with the factual background as it emerges from the London Bombings raise a question which hasn't been answered to my satisfaction. By operating in cell under the semi-direction of Al Queda, the terrorists give the nations that support them an out publicly. There can be no doubt that Pakistan is behind the London bombings. No, not the head of the government but enough of the power structure so as to make little difference. The Pakistanis allow enough of the terrorist element to operate so as not to get removed, at least to this point in time.

My question, of course, is what can our response be if we are hit by a terrorist attack involving substantial loss of life and Dr. Khan or the Madrassas of Pakistan are shown to have been involved. How would we sell a major retaliation to the world that does not even understand Afghanistan or Iraq. Glib answers (Bomb the B@stards) seem satisfying but they don't work when there are 1.3 billion Muslims, 2/3's of who would cheer a nuclear terrorist attack on America.

[Black Tooth]

There can be no doubt that Pakistan is behind the London bombings.

I think the London events were done by lightweights, possibly offshoots of Al Queda. If I was a betting man, I'd say more spectacular events are to come in the U.S.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

I think there has already been an answer to this. In the case of Afghanistan there was sufficient evidence that the Taliban were supporting Al Qaeda so we put them out of business.

If we can collect a sufficient amount of information on Pakistan ... and Pakistan is indeed supporting Al Qaeda ... then we should do likewise.

I don't believe the president of Pakistan supports Al Qaeda. I believe that he is being just efficient enough to keep the USA reasonably happy and keep his foes from becoming unreasonably angry.

In this situation realpolitik will win out and we will continue to do nothing for fear of what will happen if we do anything.

Unfortunately the same will be true of Iran and North Korea and China and Russia until it is too late.

[cowboyway]

How would we sell a major retaliation to the world that does not even understand Afghanistan or Iraq. Glib answers (Bomb the B@stards) seem satisfying but they don't work when there are 1.3 billion Muslims, 2/3's of who would cheer a nuclear terrorist attack on America.

Perhaps a quick review is in order:

[TomasUSMC]

How would we sell a major retaliation to the world that does not even understand Afghanistan or Iraq. Glib answers (Bomb the B@stards) seem satisfying but they don't work when there are 1.3 billion Muslims, 2/3's of who would cheer a nuclear terrorist attack on America.

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You don't sell self defense by asking for help. You sell self defense by defending yourself in such a way that the "world" takes notice that we don't need it stinking understanding. Same with the 1.2 billion Muslims. When 200 million of them die in 3 days, the other billion will get the message.

Worked in 1945 against fanactical professional japanese troops , will work in 2005 against a bunch of punks with RPGs


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