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This is really a very unfortunate rumor. Here we are enguaged in a war trying to enlist the help of the average Iraqi on the street, and here some well meaning (or NOT) dufus is lofting a hypothetical that sees us destroying the most sacred shrine known to those very Iraqi folks on the street.

This is what one might call a wedge issue. It couldn't be designed better to separate us from potential allies, if it were designed by Laden himself.

Oh, man, you are so right! We need the smart and gentle Muslims on our side, and they are indeed all flocking to our banner. I wish people would quit saying mean and negative things about the religion of peace.

Can't we just be more understanding of our good and gentle "moderate" Muslim neighbors and citizens? Can't we just forget all the talk about genital mutilation, murder, mayhem, suicide bombings, beltway sniping, death threats, fatwas, misogyny, hijackings and all those unfortunate deaths on 9/11? "Let's not bicker and argue about who killed who!" These Muslims can't help dancing in the streets when their fellow (infidel) Americans are murdered. They can't help funding terrorists and quietly nodding when that funding comes to its grisly fruition.

The Muslims can't help issuing daily fatwas and threats against America and destroying Buddhist statues and burning churches, temples and synagogues. They can't help stoning women to death for being raped or cutting women's fingers off for wearing fingernail polish. It's just what Muslims do. It's what the "holy" Koran commands, and they cannot criticize the "holy" Koran, because that brings an automatic death sentence. And they can't convert to another peaceful religion because that also carries an automatic death sentence.

Can't we all just get along with those who are hellbent on slaughtering Americans?

So, can't we just wait until every Muslim reveals his stripes and the very last infidel throat is slit before we start doubting, insulting and mistrusting our dear, dear, peaceful Muslim neighbors?

You said -- "This is what one might call a wedge issue. It couldn't be designed better to separate us from potential allies, if it were designed by Laden himself."

More likely to be a wedge issue for the Muslims, separating themselves from their own "fantasyworld", called Islam and their fantasy-god, called Allah (sounds more like a half-sneeze, to me).

Regards,
Star Traveler

Dire nuclear threats are actually what Mohammedans respond to best. Credible threats, intimidation and terror have been favorite Muzzie tactics down through the centuries. They make conquest much easier by making the foe surrender, beg for mercy. Thus you have the KKKoran advocating striking terror into the hearts of the by beheadings

"This is really a very unfortunate rumor. Here we are enguaged in a war trying to enlist the help of the average Iraqi on the street, and here some well meaning (or NOT) dufus is lofting a hypothetical that sees us destroying the most sacred shrine known to those very Iraqi folks on the street. This is what one might call a wedge issue. It couldn't be designed better to separate us from potential allies, if it were designed by Laden himself."

Agreed. Looks like someone needed an article on a slow news day and didn't consider the big picture consequences.

AFA the article's premise that OBL is held in check by a threat to Mecca: BS. OBL doesn't care about anything but OBL. Islam is a means to an end to him.

I hope this rumor is more than rumor. Consider the success of mutual assurred destruction as a deterrent in the cold war. Now consider the fact that Egypt, Saudia Arabia,Libia, Iran, Syria, and a couple of other Islamic states will never be our allies. Their interest is survival. If they know their survival depends upon bin Laden not doing something, they may bring to bear pressure on him and his organization deterrence. Now, rather than keep this threat implied, I believe Mr. Bush should let each and every person in the world of Islam know that their death will be assurred by Mr. binLaden performing certain unthinkable acts. This will for all of Islam to understand that bin Laden is their enemy and actually holds in his hand their very lives. Now we then must be wary of bin Ladens political enemies who might wish to make it appear that bin Laden is the cause of such an attack.
Certainly, somewhere, someone in Islam knows where binLaden is located. Money apparently will not buy their exposure of his location, so perhaps considering their survival might. In any case, Arabs everywhere need to know that their lives, their childrens lives, their futures are held by a fragile thread of bin Ladens view of the value of their deaths. The Arab world needs to know that bin Laden can do damage to America. They need to know beyond any uncertainty, that his actions may well mean their very destruction. Let them all know. Let them all understand. Let them know we do not wish them harm. But we will not allow the propagation of malignant Islamofascism metastasize its venom and destroy this nation. How much more could we help these people if they would let us? How much total destruction will we inflict if they force us?

This is really a very unfortunate rumor. Here we are enguaged in a war trying to enlist the help of the average Iraqi on the street, and here some well meaning (or NOT) dufus is lofting a hypothetical that sees us destroying the most sacred shrine known to those very Iraqi folks on the street. This is what one might call a wedge issue. It couldn't be designed better to separate us from potential allies, if it were designed by Laden himself.

Exactly right. OBL would love nothing better than for us to nuke Mecca. It's his only chance to get a billion Muslims on his side. Else, he loses.