A Case for War

Silicon Investor - Stock Talk ^ | February 8, 2003 | Daren

[Cicero]

We must attack Iraq. We must totally conquer the nation. Saddam must be removed from power, and killed if possible, and the Baath party must be shattered.

But Saddam isn't our enemy. bin Laden (may he burn in hell) is not our enemy. Iraq isn't our enemy. al Qaeda isn't our enemy. The Taliban weren't our enemies. They are merely symptoms of decay.

[Cicero]

I'm not sure who the writer is, presumably an intelligent and thoughtful amateur much like the people who post in FreeRepublic. But I thought there was a lot of food for thought in this essay.

And I'm afraid I agree with it in general terms.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[Cicero]

Thanks for the ping. I'm afraid I have to get to bed, but I hope people will have a look at this, because it's an important analysis and synthesis of the problem.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

I am just about finished reading an I like what I have read so far.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

BTTT!

[malamute]

bookmarking good read

[ggekko]

I believe that author has hit upon some very fundmental issues that have yet to be synthesized by other authors. Whenever an entire culture is threatened there is always some type reaction from the threatened culture.

The key point to keep in mind, however, is the threat level becomes greatly diminished once the state sponsors of terror have been neutralized (Iraq, Iran, Syria) .

[duckln]

BUMP

Interesting, basically covers the problems we face. But like the 'grenade with a haircut' usually says, lets check out the details and make sure we get the right guys.

[Rose in RoseBear]

Pingpingping!

[Mike Darancette]

Our enemy is a culture which is deeply diseased.

Spot on.

I am forthrightly stating that it will be necessary to destabilize the entire middle east, which puts me exactly counter to European foreign policy.

I believe that the Administration has come to that conclusion as well.

This is remarkably cogent article.

[Mike Darancette]

The key point to keep in mind, however, is the threat level becomes greatly diminished once the state sponsors of terror have been neutralized (Iraq, Iran, Syria) .

But the nests of evil must be addressed as well.

[Mike Darancette]

One of the responses to this post was as follows:

The gross inaccuracies and hateful sentiments of your screed are so overwhelming that I can only make one observation: If Americans ever came to believe even half of the ridiculous assertions you make, then it would be OUR culture that is "deeply diseased."

My comment would be, we better believe it.

[ggekko]

IMHO, what makes Al Qaeda a clear and present danger is their access, through state sponsors, to bio-weapons. From a strategic point of view, once you cut access to state sponsored bio-weapons labs Al Qaeda becomes a greatly diminished threat.

If Iraq can be neutralized I believe 90% of the threat will be taken off the table. Iran does not have much of a bio-weapons program.

Individual Al Qeada soldiers should be dealt with appropriately. If you cut off the head the rest of the body will follow in short order.

[Mike Darancette]

If Iraq can be neutralized I believe 90% of the threat will be taken off the table.

That can solve the short term problem. But Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria and the Palestinian Authority will continue to spawn terrorists and false prophets in search of state sponsors.

[ggekko]

I also support dealing with Iran and Syria as soon as possible. I believe that we could bring Iran back into our orbit through diplomatic means once Iraq is dispatched.

Syria is a sad excuse for a country. Once the new order in Middle East becomes obvious Syria will also be easy to deal with. The same holds true for the Palestinian Authority.

[AFPhys]

Holy, mackerel! What a great article. Long, but very strong analysis of the long term battle. This man really hits this so well. I'm not only bookmarking this, but printing three copies now for two peaceniks and a warmonger I know I'll be seeing today.

I do suggest pinging friends who care to this article. Cong.BB, you may find this a good addition for your own continuing analysis.

[AFPhys]

I read again some parts of this article, and realize that a good portion of the analysis applies to understanding why the Germans and French are behaving as they are, too.

[Miss Marple]

Thanks for the ping. This is an excellent article, and makes a good explanation of the culture problem (as opposed to the problem of Islam) which I also think is the reason for the hatred we receive from the Arab world.

It also explains why countries that are more secular (Turkey, for example) do better than those who are fundamentalist.

[OneLoyalAmerican]

Greetings Cicero, FReepers, et al:
Very well written. Perhaps the author is an American of Arabic origin? :)