Attacks Reveal the Nature of Terrorism, Bush says ["terrorism violates every religion]

DoD - American Forces Press Service ^ | Aug. 25, 2003 | Jim Garamone

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Attacks Reveal the Nature of Terrorism, Bush says

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2003 - The terrorist attacks in Baghdad and Jerusalem will serve as an added spur in the war on terror, President Bush said during his radio address Saturday.

In both cases, the terrorists struck innocents in an effort to impose Taliban- like regimes on the world.

On Aug. 19, a truck bomb exploded outside the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad. The blast killed at least 20 people. "The U.N. personnel and Iraqi citizens killed in the bombings were engaged in a purely humanitarian mission," Bush said. "Men and women in the building were working on reconstruction, medical care for Iraqis and the distribution of food."

The U.N. representative for Iraq Sergio Vieira de Mello was among the dead. U.S. officials said the bombing was likely the work of former members of Saddam Hussein's regime.

Also on Aug. 19, a suicide terrorist in Jerusalem murdered 20 innocent people riding a bus, including five Americans. "The killer had concealed under his clothing a bomb filled with metal fragments, designed to kill and injure the greatest number of people possible," Bush said. "Among the 110 people hurt were 40 children." The Israeli police said the bomber was from Hamas.

Bush said the two bombings reveal, once again, the nature of the terrorists, and why they must be defeated. "In their malicious view of the world, no one is innocent," he noted. "Relief workers and infants alike are targeted for murder. Terrorism may use religion as a disguise, but terrorism violates every religion and every standard of decency and morality."

The president said the terrorists have declared war on every free nation. "Their goals are clear: They want more governments to resemble the oppressive Taliban that once ruled Afghanistan," he said. "Terrorists commit atrocities because they want the civilized world to flinch and retreat so they can impose their totalitarian vision."

Bush said the United States will not flinch in this war on terror, and there will not be a retreat. "From Afghanistan to Iraq, to the Philippines and elsewhere, we are waging a campaign against the terrorists and their allies, wherever they gather, wherever they plan, and wherever they act," he said.

"This campaign requires sacrifice, determination and resolve, and we will see it through," he continued. "Iraq is an essential front in this war. Now we're fighting terrorists and remnants of that regime who have everything to lose from the advance of freedom in the heart of the Middle East."

The president said that most of Iraq is making steady progress toward reconstruction and a stable, self-governing society. "This progress makes the remaining terrorists even more desperate and willing to lash out against symbols of order and hope, like coalition forces and U.N. personnel," he said. "The world will not be intimidated. A violent few will not determine the future of Iraq, and there will be no return to the days of Saddam Hussein's torture chambers and mass graves."

Bush said Iraqis are working with coalition forces to stop these assassins. Coalition forces acting on tips from ordinary Iraqis are increasing raids, seizing weapons and capturing enemy leaders. "The United States, the United Nations and the civilized world will continue to stand with the people of Iraq as they reclaim their nation and their future," he said.

The president said that all nations face a challenge and a choice. He said "terrorists are testing our will, hoping we will weaken and withdraw. Yet across the world, they are finding that our will cannot be shaken. Whatever the hardships, we will persevere. We will continue this war on terror until all the killers are brought to justice. And we will prevail."

[Cultural Jihad]

There is a quick way to end this thing, one that would both send a strong and irrefutable message, and one that would save American lives. It appears, however, that we are serious enough to send Americans to die, but not serious enough to get it over with quickly.

We can end all pickpocketing and rapes and bank robberies and murders in New York City by nuking the city, too... (err, I mean "getting it over with quickly," to use your latest euphemism for the mass murder of innocents.)

[Cacophonous]

Oh, I'm sorry. Didn't realize our soldiers were being killed by mere pickpockets.

But we could go on like this, and we will not convince each other. Let's just agree to disagree, ok?

[Cultural Jihad]

But we could go on like this, and we will not convince each other. Let's just agree to disagree, ok?

No, let's agree that you will no longer advocate for the mass murder of innocents here.

[Cacophonous]

We were not in Europe and in the Pacific against the Japanese for altruistic reasons; that dictators were overthrown was a good by-product, and became the mission once we were engaged. But we would not have gone there had the Japanese not hit Pearl Harbor, and both Japan and Germany declared war on us.

As for Korea, we are still there, 50 years later. Is that the model we are using?

[Cacophonous]

I will continue to state my opinions. As you are willing to promote the death of American soldiers. As you undoubtedly will.

[RightWhale]

Terrorism may use religion as a disguise, but terrorism violates every religion and every standard of decency and morality.

Exactamundo. Terrorists are GODLESS and IMMORAL. Their Islamist supporters likewise.

[Cultural Jihad]

I will continue to state my opinions.

You are more than welcome to try. You have free will, as does the owner of the forum who has warned you already to knock off the murderous talk.

[Concentrate]

Are you going to answer my questions or not?

[Cacophonous]

Sure, I'll risk the admonishment. This very post may get yanked.

The Admin Moderator last night, incidentally, was guilty of not reading the posts, and of a knee-jerk reaction to a whining member of the perpetually offended. He also conveniently ignored your ad hominem attacks, on me and others, which are definitely against the rules.

So, yeah, seeing the capriciousness with which he (last night's AM) applied the rules, I may get more pulled. So be it.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Our troops are NOT complaining. Don't claim to speak on their behalf. They KNOW why they're in Iraq. You can disagree, but don't dare hype the FEW casualties of these brave men and women. They are doing important and noble work.

[Cacophonous]

Our troops are NOT complaining. Don't claim to speak on their behalf.

I've never claimed either thing. Post 122 was in response to CJ's comparison of the terrorists to pickpockets in NYC. My sarcasm did not come through, and I apologize for that.

[Cacophonous]

Are you going to answer my questions or not? Of course he is not going to. But he will probably whine about you to the Admin Moderator.

[Cacophonous]

Are you going to answer my questions or not? Of course he is not going to. But he will probably whine about you to the Admin Moderator.

[Concentrate]

The Admin Moderator last night, incidentally, was guilty of not reading the posts, and of a knee-jerk reaction to a whining member of the perpetually offended. He also conveniently ignored your ad hominem attacks, on me and others, which are definitely against the rules.

While I realized that, I didnt want to bring it up. As I saw it, I came to your defense to explain your position, which I don't even agree with, because I felt she was abusing you.

[Cacophonous]

Well I appreciate your support. Incidentally, I DON'T advocate using nukes, but was trying to illustrate a point. It was so taken out of context (this often happens in the cult of perpetually offended), the accusation became impossible to deny, like when someone takes your car keys even though you've only had two beers; no matter how much you protest, you will be considered in no condition to drive. Better to roll with it. So I rolled with it.

[Concentrate]

Nonetheless, it's hard to say, because I didn't see your deleted posts. In the future I warn you that it's not so much what you say, but how you say it that makes the difference. Of course, not always.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I am curious why you're on this particular thread pushing your opinion. Why not write a 'vanity' thread? I don't particularly care whether you think we should have gone to Iraq. You are still free to disagree, move to France where your country's leaders would be more likely to share your point of view, campaign for Howard Dean. THIS thread is about OUR CIC who is laying out the situation very well. WE elected him. WE back out troops. WE back our war effort.

Frankly, you can take it elsewhere because I don't believe that you even bothered to read the speech or one letter from the troops. And I know you didn't visit my homepage.

[Cacophonous]

To summarize, I asked someone (don't remember whether it was CJ or someone else) how long we were going to be fighting terrorists. The answer was (parapharsing here) "Until they are all dead, no matter how many American soldiers are killed." So I said it would be quicker to nuke Mecca and Medina instead. I detest the casual submittal of the lives of American lives to an uncertain end, and place the value of any one American soldier over all of those in the Islam holy cities.

But you make a good point, and I do need to tone it down some. And have. I never EVER advocated genocide. That was a careless, stupid comment on the part of the AM. C'est la vie.

[Cacophonous]

I really do not mean to offend you. I have visited your website, and I thought the President's speech was very good. And yes, it is true that the good things we are doing are often lost. If you see me as being guilty of this, I apologize again.

I mentioned to you in an earlier post that I had an opportunity to see a presentation by some of the Corps of Engineer folks that are bulding facilities for the Afghan National Army, and it was fascinating. There are no materials, skilled laborers, only a limited number of people that speak English and even fewer that read it (important when reading plans, they found out).

Basically, the Corps was told to provide housing for brigades of 600 soldiers every 35 days. The soldiers are being trained by the US Army, and the force structure is based on WWII infantry brigades; the Afghanis wanted to use a Russian model, because it was what they are familiar with, but the Americans convinced them to use the American model (the master planner asked the Afghan general whether he wanted to back a winner or a loser, and the general laughed and agreed to the American model). And I told you of the architect that could finally leave for work confident he would return alive to his family.

But it really is starting from scratch. No infrastructure, mid-evil European plumbing. Kabul sits in a valley, and the warlords would sit on the hills and lob artillery rounds into the city, just out of boredom. This was going on for 30 years, so Kabul is one big ruin. They had to have classes on basic building principals, and work with the translators to find words to describe basic things like base plate, bolt, nail....They are having to remove the urinals because the Afghanis would wash their beards and feet in them 5 times a day before praying. They are installing basically long sinks or troughs instead. Cultural lesson learned.

And the Corps had some wonderful pictures and stories of the children, and some of the women (some still are bound by warlords to wear burkhas...progress is slow). And they definitely ARE happier and safer.

My point is that there was a notion that we would be in and out of there in a few short months, and if we get that place anywhere near civilized in 10 years it will be a miracle. And the cost is astronomical (all material are hauled through Khyber Pass, where the warlords "tax" anything that comes through it). Cost estimates include a certain amount for bribery. Have to. Cost of doing business).

We can expect a comparable (if not more costly) effort in Iraq, when we reach that point. And we will always be threatened by the terrorists that are over there, because it is impossible to eliminate terrorism.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I believe this is a must win war. I back it all the way. Sorry, it isn't even debatable for me. I am sorry to attack you personally. Let's simply agree to disagree. Anyone who tries to throw one more stumbling block in the path of this military, these troops is probably going to get both barrels from me. I've been fighting a variety of very unsavory pols and terrorist appeasers for weeks. Pax. Let's simply stay away from each other.