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This is only the third time in eight years that I've written more than one column a week. This one had to be written, is timely, and is on a broad subject of obvious interest to the FR community.

Hope you find this worthwhile.

John / Billybob

1 posted on 03/16/2004 9:13:25 PM PST by Congressman Billybob
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To: Congressman Billybob
I had the extreme displeasure last week of hearing Professor Beau Grosscup of California State University at Chico, arguing on TV that we should “understand” the position of the terrorists,

I agree wholeheartedly. The position of the terrorists is easy to understand. They want to kill us and destroy modern liberal democracy.

and on that basis we should “negotiate” with them

That's easy, too. Lots and lots of weapons and hard men to track them down and eliminate them.

Wow, we're doing that already. I guess Grosscup isn't really serious, then...

49 posted on 03/17/2004 7:31:03 AM PST by dirtboy (Howard, we hardly knew ye. Not that we're complaining, mind you...)
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To: Congressman Billybob
After the debacle in Spain, our general election in November this year will come down to one thing:

Will Americans fell safer sleeping at night with George Bush or John Kerry in the White House?
That's the one thing I'm hearing from a lot of people.

50 posted on 03/17/2004 7:43:09 AM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts (ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,Ooooooo.....I think I over-medicated,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø)
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To: Congressman Billybob
"Hope you find this worthwhile"

Absolutely. The Spanish election was a huge setback in the WOT and the left is going to run with it. W & the allies need to come down harder and harder. Unleash hell in the war we cannot see via spooks, independant contractors and opportunistic bad guys...

53 posted on 03/17/2004 8:16:08 AM PST by eureka! (The shrillness of the left is a good sign.....)
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To: Congressman Billybob
Seems Prof. Grosscup is isolating himself in his classroom when he should be hiking in the hills along the Afghanistan border in hopes of bringing mutual understanding to those cave dwellers.
55 posted on 03/17/2004 8:36:03 AM PST by mtbopfuyn
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To: Congressman Billybob
History is going to turn on this calculation. The islamofascists may make one of history's great miscalculations if they commit a terrorist atrocity before the November election. Even if Kerry wins, a lame duck President Bush could be fearsome in his retaliation, beyond anything the black moon-god rock worshippers have ever contemplated.


56 posted on 03/17/2004 9:25:35 AM PST by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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To: Congressman Billybob
Your usual excellent article, Congressman, filled with clear-headed analysis.

I agree with your two suppositions, but have a personal and less than optimistic view on each...

There are only two steps...

One is to smoke out the position of candidate Kerry,... to get him to commit to continuing the war on terrorism REGARDLESS of what the UN does or doesn’t do.

IMHO, unlikely on either account.

Kerry has already clearly stated (over decades of "service") his position on such things. He and his allies are very clever at disguise and will continue to be successful (remember the clintons). Nobody on his side (which includes most of the media) cares to bright-line his exposed position. Their efforts will instead be to attack Bush and debunk the facts as part of the paid "Republican Attack Machine". The vasty middle of voters in American politics listens and reads the major media (viz. leftists), and large numbers will never perceive the contradictions - if they even care deeply.

Failing that, the only other alternative is to bury candidate Kerry in the polls, so it is clear even to the terrorists that he will not possibly be elected.

Again, unlikely. Polls can, and will, be rigged and skewed. The pollsters will ensure this race is a "photo-finish" right up to the end. It gets themselves more attention and lots of repeat business.

Remember, the Spanish polls swung about 10 points in the last three days. The terrorists, no matter what our polls say, will think they can pull the same thing here. I doubt Bush and Kerry will ever be more than 5 pts apart.

A devastating terrorist attack will certainly be scheduled, and will likely be executed to whatever results. Like the Socialists, the Democrats will surely be ready for an immediate response to pin that tail on Bush. I seriously doubt the Republicans will try and use it to political advantage and will be attending funerals instead of rallies.

The hatred against George Bush goes beyond the normal political give-and-take of an election. This one is vicious and revenge-driven. I see the hatred daily in the newpaper stories, in letters-to-the editor, on numerous TV channels, and hear it spoken openly in coffee shops and restaurants.

The campaign against Bush will be driven by hatred, not facts. A large terrorist attack will only make the volume and hatred louder, as in Spain. You cannot reason with terrorists or Liberals. Both are emotion and agenda driven.

The mushy middle voter will go with whichever slogans seem the "best" for him and his personal peace, safety and comfort. They will not be driven by "vision". Only the 40% already solidly in the Bush camp will be driven by that. You can see that in Bush's large slippage in the polls as the leftist propaganda machine takes effect.

Much of the middle live in a state of political confusion, and don't bother tham with the uncomfortable facts. They will vote for whichever side makes them feel most comfortable and offers them the most stuff. An awful terrorist act may signal it's time for a change to many of these weak-kneed middle-grounders. They may want to forget the War and return to things as "normal". After all, many flags have become faded and the "We Will Never Forget" stickers are disappearing.

I anticipate a close election.

57 posted on 03/17/2004 9:55:57 AM PST by Gritty ("A boring and self-important press is not the same as a serious press-Mark Steyn)
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To: Congressman Billybob
We don't need a military response to acts of terrorism, whether or not it is committed here or overseas.

Corporate American hegemony ('globalism') is doing a good job of spreading American culture to the rest of the globe and diluting/subjugating the cultures of the unreformed religions and unwashed masses.

It is the fact that they are doing their jobs so well that infuriates and compels the terrorists to lash out in the first place.

Let the terrorists self destruct. Their cultures are doomed and the West will prevail without lifting a finger.


BUMP

64 posted on 03/17/2004 11:39:32 AM PST by tm22721 (May the UN rest in peace)
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To: Congressman Billybob
Since 9/11, all terrorist attacks on American interests have occurred overseas.

I am not certain that I accept that as entirely accurate. I have no provable evidence to the contrary, but there have been some certain "events" that have made me curious to say the least about the containment of "terrorism" in the USA. A part of me is of course skeptical of all that is reported to us by the media.

Well, anyhow, I greatly appreciate your column here. I find you to be very clear thinking and logical. I wish that we had candidates such as you up here in Massachusetts. I certainly would vote for you, if you ran up here.

Good luck, and thank you.

67 posted on 03/17/2004 1:43:32 PM PST by Radix (The Canteen? Yeah, it is for the Troops. Do you got a problem with that?)
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To: Congressman Billybob
Good column. Hope someone is listening.
69 posted on 03/17/2004 5:25:26 PM PST by Rocky
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To: Congressman Billybob
Really great article!
70 posted on 03/17/2004 5:40:11 PM PST by hershey
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To: Congressman Billybob
Actuzlly, for "Spain has just had its own 9/11, literally," to be meaninful, it would have to have occured on September 11.
78 posted on 03/19/2004 10:29:47 AM PST by HitmanLV (I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own.)
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