Posted on 07/06/2004 7:56:48 AM PDT by quidnunc
I could get rather specific - but there is not enough room. I was living in Savannah at the time of 9/11 and, being a tourism dependent/sensitive area, it was like turning off a spigot. Hotel room taxes fell precipitously - many other indicators of the economy were severely depressed - much more than the immediate threat of Al Queda required. I'm certain there would not be a 4 day shut down of civil aviation, and other actions would not be as severe as the first time this type of thing happens. But it would be helpful for Bush to discuss the anticipated threats so the economy does not come to a standstill for 3-5 days on the news of some kind of attack, which is essentially inevitable. This will never be Israel, where the population is case hardened to terrorist activities - but I still think that leadership mandates better communication from the Administration.
I want them to feel Real Pain.
I want the businesses in my country to remain solvent.
It has been said, "living well is the best revenge."
I will keep that in mind and continue to celebrate life.
I've never been to Savannah. I'll put that on my list as a good place to celebrate, as we wreak revenge on the enemy.
Hope it's not the All-Star game, seven blocks from here next week . . . yawn.
VDH BUMP!
"2. Incarcerate/internment camps for many/all Muslims"
How and where do we intern, say, a million people?
I hear mexicos getting pretty empty. Fence it in and make the muhammedans walk the desert trail to their new home.
IMHO:
1.Totally agree.
2. No way (except possibly in a few small towns/counties).
3. Market crash - yes. Layoffs, no. Americans will never stop buying things.
4. No way. Do you have any idea of the weapons "the government" has at its disposal to put down armed rebellion?
5. see 4.
6. No. The present "ruling class" doesn't do things like this. That might kill some of their friends by mistake.
7. Yes, but not because of our agressive response. Quite the opposite, because of our weakness shown by a lack of response.
Of course that is correct. This does not feel like war and it is now too late to wean ourselves off imported oil--too late then, too, anyway.
I am in agreement re: the enemy - turn them to glass. As Tony Soprano would opine..."end of story".
Ms. C. "Too Much Slut, Not Enough War" A. mostly only reaches the "useless when the wolves are loose" crowd. When it's time to make the 'muslimy monsters' howl, we'll have the Sherman to do it. The God that provided the "185,000 dead Assyrians" blessing is still around.
Mutually Assured Destruction worked as a deterrence because the Soviet Union was not a religious fanatical empire. The radical Islamicists are irrational fanatics serving a bloodlust religion. Nuking Mecca or Medina (the better target) would unite the Islamics world-wide, such that we would truly have Islam against the rest of the world, which is precisely what Osama bin Laden has been trying to accomplish all along, without caring a whit how many peaceful Moslems he has to sacrifice to accomplish it.
The more important issue is not how, it is the long term effect on our country and culture of such an endeavor. When the army/police start knocking on doors to take people away, what do you think the reaction will be? What is the alternative?
Well, when the market crashes and peoples movements are restricted due to martial law, it is difficult to see how our spending habits will continue unabated.
4. No way. Do you have any idea of the weapons "the government" has at its disposal to put down armed rebellion?
Maybe, but do not be surprised if things start coming apart. If so, who knows where it will end. The government putting down rebellion, armed or otherwise, is not something I hope to watch on Fox News.
Lastly, if Al Queda sets off a nuke in Houston, and it is traced to Iran, and/or 15/20 of the perps are Saudis, what will our reaction be? For 911 we invaded 2 countries, albeit with some skepticism from the electorate. If the President at that time does not declare war and do some serious arse kicking, and tries to pass it off with the liberal mantra that it is our fault or we need to understand why they hate us or call the UN of today, then he would be impeached very quickly.
Mutually Assured Destruction worked as a deterrence because it put at risk that which mattered most to both sides, the lives of citizens and the urban and military/industrial base.
Warning that we would wipe out both Mecca and Medina if attacked again would put at risk that which matters most to the Islamic Fundamentalists, Islam itself. The destruction of Mecca and Media would destroy Islam, since without those cities and the worship of the meteor, there is no Islam. The fatalism of Islam, everything that happens is Allah's will, means that if these cities were destroyed then it must have been Allah's will that these cities and Islam itself no longer exist.
In case you have not noticed, it is already a fundamental tenant of Islam to make Jihad against the rest of the non-Muslim world. There is no downside to wiping out Mecca and Medina in retaliation for another attack against us.
Much-obliged for the full posting, friend!
Other arab and Islamic regimes would see it as a survuival issue to choose sides, and with their populations radicalized maybe they would openly choose al Queda.
First, it chops off my legs, and then it chops off my head.
In fact, the only force holding up the existing Arab polity is U.S. forbearance.
If Al Qaeda or others are so foolish as to attack again, the Arabs will be under a military 'protectorate' indefinitely, with or without the evaporation of Mecca.
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