Posted on 01/29/2006 9:15:24 AM PST by Pikamax
Osama bin Laden's offer of a truce has sunk from sight without leaving a ripple, but it should have made waves.
When the audiotaped proposal was made 10 days ago, the White House dismissed it out of hand. That was a politically logical move, given the need to appear tough on terror at all times. An image of strength and determination may be particularly important in the months ahead because Republican Party leaders have put security issues at the heart of their 2006 congressional election campaign strategy.
But there are reasons why bin Laden's overture should be carefully weighed and thoughtfully debated.
The moral imperative that should drive us is a sincere desire to end the long suffering of the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. Official figures suggest that 30,000 innocent noncombatants have been killed since March 2003 in Iraq alone. Many respected sources believe that this figure is grossly underestimated.
So if bin Laden were to call off his dogs of war, it would be a very good thing, saving lives by removing major elements in the insurgencies in both countries. Such al Qaeda withdrawals would sharply reduce the need for our forces to remain in these sad lands.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Exactly.
Bin Laden's offer is a clear signal that he
acknowledges a buttocks whipping.
This so-called military expert doesn't
seem to realize that you don't offer
a truce when you're winning.
Away with the offer. Continue to hunt
down the son of a camel and bomb the
enemy when we get the chance.
(I have not served. My tagline honors my son and my cousin.)
Is there a comprehensive list of terrorist attacks(pre 9/11)?
John's never watched any professional wrestling. When the bad guy offers to shake the good guy's hand, he's only doing it so he can throw a sucker punch.
Our counter-terrorism guys shuld be forced to watch a compilation of Ed "the Sheik" Farhat's matches from the 60's and 70's at Detroit's Cobo arena. That guy displayed the terrorist mind set long before Osama came along.
Yeah, but not serious ones.
Anyone who even begins to believe that someone on the other side of this thing would tell the truth is even too dumb to have a "brain fart".
Enough said.
'Appearances' have nothing whatsoever to do with it. If one commits onself to combat, the ultimate objective is, as it ought to be, the elimination of the enemy's ability to make war. One does not request a truce from a position of strength. Al-Q is on the run. Now is the time to pile on- not allow them to regroup, retrench and gather strenth for another attack on this country. 'Olive branch' my fanny.
I would expect somebody teaching at the Naval Postgrad school to know better.
We were "winning the peace" on the morning of 09-11-01. To most human beings, FREEDOM trumps "peace."
Yes, his offer of truce was conditional. It was based on meeting all his demands and paying extortion, simply put.
I think bin Laden can shove his truce.
I have a peace branch for Osama, it is high and sturdy, and comes complete with a rope and a noose.
I read the title, scratched my head, saw the source, and it all became clear.
And we wonder who buys those lemons sitting on used car lots.
How can you tell a Muslim is not telling the truth?
His lips are moving.
THis man purposefully embraced a widely known mistranslation to the furtherance of goals so vile, it can only be described as treason.
He demands the death of Americans on American soil be considered morally superior to the death of Americans Coaliation country citizens, Afghanis and Iraqis in Afghan and Iraq.
Professor Arquilla should have his position at the Monterey School eliminated, he should be given no severance package, and his pension should be requisitioned. All of his security clearances should be removed, and his ability to communicate with Naval officers halted by court order on basis of treason.
THIS MAN KNOWS THAT AL JEZEERA MISTRANSLATED OSAMA'S MESSAGE .
Rule of thumb: Anytime muslim combatants offer a truce, it's part of their military strategy just like their religion is part of their politics.
I thought it was only 10 minutes
Not the first strange noise from that place.
Thanks, genius. A decade of Oslo got us a lot of dead Israelis, and a lot of dead arab teenagers. And, in the end, Hamas.
So if bin Laden were to call off his dogs of war... Such al Qaeda withdrawals would sharply reduce the need for our forces to remain in these sad lands.
Is he serious? Seriously, this guy needs to find a new line of work, we can't have him teaching military officers if we are going to have any hope.
Ending the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq would reduce the huge strain imposed on the U.S. military, tying it down and seriously impairing its ability to respond swiftly to new crises, such as those that might arise on the Korean peninsula or elsewhere.
"Reduce the strain"? Reduce the strain by building it bigger and better, not by abandoning the field. The military is not a social program, or an ornament which must not be taken down off the shelf for fear of getting it dusty. It is there to be used, and if it is getting beaten up by use, then fix it, build it stronger so it can take the pounding. But you have to know that if the marines are taking a pounding, their enemies are dying in droves.
If Bin Ladin is asking for a truce, it is because he has tired of living on the run, he has seen what happened to Saddam and his sons, he sees that he is losing control of the movement he helped to build. He wants to come above ground, where he can have more direct communications and influence, and so he can get a bath and a hot cup of coffee.
If he's asking for a break, I think that means we're winning.
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