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'United 93' and why we took the war to Iraq
Star Newspapers - Chicago ^ | Sunday, May 7, 2006 | Michael Bowers, Star columnist

Posted on 05/07/2006 7:26:55 AM PDT by Chi-townChief

Last weekend in Chicago Ridge I saw "United 93." It's outstanding. The violence is not gratuitous. "Let's roll" is more an offhand comment than a battle cheer. Considering the subject, the movie is extremely restrained. This makes it more powerful, not less. The events of the day speak for themselves. They don't need added theatrics.

My strongest emotion was dread, knowing what was going to happen to these passengers before they ever had a clue. Once they found out, the dread dissipated and all that was left was to watch a desperate death match. I almost wanted it to hurry up and be over, because I didn't want to see the passengers suffer anymore. Everyone's last, weeping phone message was the same. "Tell my family I love them."

But this doesn't mean "United 93" is a bad movie. It's superior from start to finish. It hurts, but you must see it anyway. We mustn't forget what these horrid creatures did to innocent Americans. And all the while, they truly thought God was smiling upon them. For me, the movie is a needed reminder of why we invaded Iraq.

(Excerpt) Read more at starnewspapers.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Illinois; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 911; 911wtc; alqueda; bush; iraq; islam; moviereview; muslims; terrorism; united93; wot
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To: avacado
I have both statements:

Osama: "The British and the American people loudly declared their support for their leaders decision to attack Iraq. It is the duty of Muslims to confront, fight, and kill them."

followed a week later by Saddam: "Oh sons of Arabs and the Arab Gulf, rebel against the foreigner . . . Take revenge for your dignity, holy places, security, interests, and exalted values."

Who did Saddam Hussein turn to after President Clinton launched Operation Desert Fox? Osama bin Laden
41 posted on 05/07/2006 2:35:54 PM PDT by Chi-townChief
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To: Norman Arbuthnot

I still think President Bush will do better than President Reagan did on this one and, obviously, a hell of a lot better than the 'rats will do since the illegals are part of their base.


42 posted on 05/07/2006 2:44:20 PM PDT by Chi-townChief
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To: Chi-townChief

Thank you for this post and the excellent discussion.


43 posted on 05/07/2006 2:44:34 PM PDT by Actually_in_Tokyo
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To: Actually_in_Tokyo

Thank you - you can Yahoo (or whatever) both to get the entire statements. To me, they pretty much answers the fools who say, "Wull, they never declared war on us."


44 posted on 05/07/2006 2:46:35 PM PDT by Chi-townChief
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To: USMCPOP

Your message broke my heart. I'm so sorry for your loss. Your son understood what was happening. My prayers are with you. My only child, a son, decided that day to serve his country. He's now at the USNA. We must keep our sons and daughters, who are selflessly serving this great country, in our prayers constantly. They are all that stands between us and utter calamity.


45 posted on 05/07/2006 3:35:18 PM PDT by originalbuckeye
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To: Chi-townChief

"...is the twin Declaration of Jihad on the United States and Great Britain from Saddam."

Do you have a copy of that declaration from Saddam?


46 posted on 05/07/2006 4:07:19 PM PDT by Milligan
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To: Darkwolf377
When I read this I thought "What the heck are these 'Throw Out the Republicans Over Immigration" FReepers THINKING? Are they INSANE?!

The only way Republicans will stand up for the U.S. is if they believe that failure to do so will get them unelected.

Openly advocating for the removal of Republicans who fail to stand up for the U.S. seems the best way to instill such belief.

47 posted on 05/07/2006 4:44:37 PM PDT by supercat (Sony delenda est.)
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To: USMCPOP

I'm hugging you now! :(


48 posted on 05/07/2006 5:02:01 PM PDT by angcat
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To: Chi-townChief

bump


49 posted on 05/07/2006 5:05:34 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican (everyone that doesn't like what America and President Bush has done for Iraq can all go to HELL)
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To: Milligan

See 41 above.


50 posted on 05/07/2006 5:10:01 PM PDT by Chi-townChief
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To: supercat
The only way Republicans will stand up for the U.S. is if they believe that failure to do so will get them unelected. Openly advocating for the removal of Republicans who fail to stand up for the U.S. seems the best way to instill such belief.

Sure--in the primaries.

If you're advocating this in the general election, you're way off. Sometimes people forget that the rest of the world has a way of not getting our personal interpretations of our actions.

Anyone here who thinks that the Democrats taking over in 2006 will be read as ANYTHING other than proof that the Dems and their non-agenda are supported by the American people is either delusional or on something.

51 posted on 05/07/2006 7:15:31 PM PDT by Darkwolf377 (If you flame me I'll ignore you. Assume that to mean I think you're an idiot not worth my time.)
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To: Chi-townChief

That's it in a nutshell--defying the Republicans will feel good for about ten seconds on election night if the Dems get in.


52 posted on 05/07/2006 7:42:50 PM PDT by Darkwolf377 ("I only respond to posts with reasoned opinions and facts, ignore irrational ones")
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To: Darkwolf377
If you're advocating this in the general election, you're way off. Sometimes people forget that the rest of the world has a way of not getting our personal interpretations of our actions.

If Republicans know that nothing they do between the primaries and the general will cause them to lose votes from their base, they will have no reason not to stab their base in the back.

Your argument is somewhat analagous to a scene in The Maltese Falcon. Sam Spade informed some other characters that since he was the only one who knew where the Falcon was, they'd never find it if they killed him. One of them suggested that it would nonetheless be wise for him not to incite them too much, lest they kill him anyway.

If Republicans know that they'll lose if they betray their base, they won't betray their base. But the only way they can know that is if the base is willing to punish them for betrayal.

53 posted on 05/07/2006 7:47:22 PM PDT by supercat (Sony delenda est.)
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To: supercat
If Republicans know that nothing they do between the primaries and the general will cause them to lose votes from their base, they will have no reason not to stab their base in the back.

You're too focused on the tree you don't like and are forgetting the forest. Why are you determined to punish the PARTY when the problem is INDIVIDUALS? I just don't get your line of reasoning here--my whole point is to toss out the RINOs in the primary--why isn't that the #1 goal, instead of "tossing 'em out"?

Your argument is somewhat analagous to a scene in The Maltese Falcon. Sam Spade informed some other characters that since he was the only one who knew where the Falcon was, they'd never find it if they killed him. One of them suggested that it would nonetheless be wise for him not to incite them too much, lest they kill him anyway.

Except if we DO let the Republicans fall out of power there are REAL, not imaginary, consequences. That you don't see this is scary.

If Republicans know that they'll lose if they betray their base, they won't betray their base. But the only way they can know that is if the base is willing to punish them for betrayal.

Yes--punish INDIVIDUALS. Why the heck would the true conservative candidates side with us if in the end it doesn't matter, we punish ALL Republicans? This simply is illogical.

"I was going to come down hard on illegal immigration, but these voters are punishing ALL Republicans. Hmmm, maybe I'll give Harry Reid a call..."

54 posted on 05/07/2006 7:57:46 PM PDT by Darkwolf377 ("I only respond to posts with reasoned opinions and facts, ignore irrational ones")
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To: Darkwolf377
Except if we DO let the Republicans fall out of power there are REAL, not imaginary, consequences. That you don't see this is scary.

I see that perfectly well. I also see that if liberals take over the GOP there will also be very severe consequences. If there are enough liberal RINOs already in power that a threat to expell Republicans who undermine the borders won't keep them in check then the bad consequences you speak of will be inevitable. Now may be a bad time to get rid of the RINOs, but getting rid of them after they've gained even more power will be even worse, especially considering that the Democrats will have moved left during that time.

As long as the Republicans are in power and there is no credible threat from the GOP base, both parties will move left. I am unaware of any way to stop this except by making a credible threat to boot out the RINOs, and booting out the RINOs if the threat proves insufficient. If it will be necessary for the Democrats to have some power, better that it be now than when they've moved even further left.

Note, btw, that while the Democrat leadership is hyper-leftist, many Democrat politicians are not. Unfortunately, it's often hard to tell politicians' real positions because the positions they take when their vote won't matter often won't reflect their positions when it does.

55 posted on 05/07/2006 8:19:52 PM PDT by supercat (Sony delenda est.)
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To: JLAGRAYFOX

I don't understand either. I saw it last week at a matinee.
There were by my count, 12 people in the theater. I thought it was excellent. Two friends of mine said to me, Oh, I'm not ready to see it! People died on the plane and you can't see a movie?????


56 posted on 05/07/2006 11:31:03 PM PDT by 2rightsleftcoast
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To: USMCPOP

USMCPOP--Thanks for sharing that note. My heart breaks thinking of your loss.
I am so sorry and I am so thankful for people like your son.


57 posted on 05/08/2006 10:41:29 AM PDT by amutr22 (Remember....Friend's Don't Let Friends Vote Democrat!)
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To: amutr22

amutr22, thanks. He was wise beyond his years. Always a good boy, and smart, too. Probably would have become a small-arms & weapons designer. They fascinated him. He was an artist and an engineer. And of course, a Marine.


58 posted on 05/08/2006 5:38:13 PM PDT by USMCPOP (Proud father - USMC LCpl. Karl Linn, KIA 1/26/2005 Haqlaniyah, Iraq)
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To: USMCPOP

AND...a hero.
:-)


59 posted on 05/08/2006 8:38:02 PM PDT by amutr22 (Remember....Friend's Don't Let Friends Vote Democrat!)
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