Posted on 12/29/2006 8:17:19 AM PST by Valin
Frederick Forsyth talks about researching intelligence activities for his new novel, "The Afghan" -- as well as western torture methods in Afghanistan and who would have killed Litvinenko if he had written the plot.
SPIEGEL: Mr. Forsyth, at the beginning of your new thriller "The Afghan," an al-Qaida member is eliminated when he uses his cell phone and is immediately located by American intelligence services. Do you own a cell phone?
Forsyth: No, and I don't own a computer either. I'm obviously much mocked for being such a dinosaur, but I have my reasons. With my typewriter I've never sent seven chapters into cyberspace and lost them. Secondly, try hacking into my typewriter ... (Chuckles). I also don't use the Internet for searches, because frankly I don't trust it.
SPIEGEL: Despite all your skepticism you have used the Internet for marketing purposes. One year ago you auctioned off six names in your new book on eBay.
Forsyth: Yes, I got about 100,000 pounds (€149,000) for different charities. Cpt. Michael Linnett, the special forces officer in the race through the wilderness, is actually a businessman in Northamptonshire.
SPIEGEL: In your book you write that the Internet has become an indispensable propaganda tool for terrorists.
Forsyth: It's damn dangerous, because at least half the recruiting is done that way. Particularly because you can now produce these pictorials which they concoct with very bloody scenes which purport to be the result of an American bomb or something. Then there's an unstoppable torrent of child pornography, straight pornography, instructions on how to build bombs, guns, how to kill, maim and cripple. Up to 50 percent of the Internet is actually malign to the human condition.
(Excerpt) Read more at spiegel.de ...
Of course. Several.
The holes are OK, but drinking Budweiser -- that's really shameful.
They are watching right now....
;^)
Nope, they can't see me; I've got the lights off.
Any idea what the water's like by the time it gets to St. Louis ?
Only for breakfast. That way I can say I don't drink 'till the sun crosses the yardarm.
Read THE AFGHAN earlier this month. A good Forsyth novel, very topical, and it had a lot of good background information on the fighting in Afghanistan, both against the Soviets, and our fighting there since September 11th. Well worth it....
I better get dressed!
DAY OF THE JACKAL was his best by far. Have read everything else excpet IKON. Will pick it up.
THE AFGHAN features the return of the SAS officer featured in THE FIST OF GOD.
He has yet to write a mediocre novel.
**It is an amazing time we live in.**
In my considered opinion, we are becoming so "civilized" that we are in imminent danger of becoming incredibly uncivilized.
But, I'm taking a shower!
Of course you have holes in your underwear. Otherwise, how would you get your legs through?
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