Blasts kill 83 in Egypt (Europe struggles to blame Iraq/Bush/Blair for this one)

Reuters UK ^ | Jul 23, 2005 | Tom Perry

[rabair]

Blasts kill 83 in Egyptian Red Sea resort Sat Jul 23, 2005 11:37 AM BST

By Tom Perry

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (Reuters) - At least 83 people were killed and 200 injured when car bombs ripped through markets and hotels in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Saturday in the worst attack in Egypt since 1981.

Shaken European tourists spoke of mass panic and hysteria as people fled the carnage in the early hours, with bodies strewn across the roads, people screaming and sirens wailing.

The regional governor said two car bombs and possibly a suitcase bomb had rocked the resort, popular with divers and European holidaymakers.

One blast tore the front off the Ghazala Gardens Hotel in Naama Bay, the site of most of the resort's luxury hotels. People were feared trapped in the rubble of the lobby.

A car broke into the hotel compound and exploded in front of the building, South Sinai Governor Mustafa Afifi said.

A senior security source in Sharm el-Sheikh said 83 people were killed and 23 people were in critical condition, from among 35 casualties taken to Cairo for treatment.

Most of the victims were Egyptians but the Tourism Minsirty spokeswoman said Seven non-Egyptians were dead, including a Czech and an Italian, and 20 were injured.

The injured foreigners were nine Italians, five Saudis, three Britons, a Russian, a Ukrainian and an Israeli Arab, spokesman Hala el-Khatib told reporters. But the British Foreign Office in London said that eight Britons were injured.

A group claiming links to the al Qaeda organisation said it carried out the bombings in retaliation for "crimes committed against Muslims", according to an Internet statement.

(follow link to original to read full story)

[iconoclast]

Raiding the madrassas won't get the job done.

Not by itself. But, it would indicate that we know what we're doing and we're serious about doing it.

Victory in this war requires the simultaneous conquest and occupation of the Arabian peninsula and Pakistan.

I think one after the other might do nicely. Saudi Arabia might not even be necessary. Especially if the madrassas have already been paved.

This is a job for an Army of 80-100 divisions.

I'd gladly leave such decisions up to a competent Secy of Defense. Of course, that implies that Rummy would have to go.

Don't go ballistic now. We could keep him on as DOD press secy since runnin his mouth seems to be his strong suit.

Good enough for you?

Would sitting in Iraq and bleeding be good enough for anything but the whiniest of Sheeple?

[iconoclast]

Your attempted analogies to WW II are senseless, pointless, silly ... what have I forgotten?

[iconoclast]

This will come as quite a shock to the 20,000-odd troops still fighting and dying on "BinLaden's front porch."

Not really.

Sitting, bleeding, advancing on no enemy, accomplishing nada seems to be the overriding strategy.

[iconoclast]

Are you aware that we have more troops in Afghanistan, including on the Pak border, now than we did at the height of the Afghan fighting in '02?

Hell yes I'm aware. The U.S. paid-for mercenary Afghans did the heavy lifting during that period.

Seems we don't do War any more, just "nation building"!

While the "dashing young madman hero" hides a like a frightened schoolgirl,

You have your vision of victory, I have mine.

Mine is the 9/11 murderer bin Laden's head on a spike.

Your's was apparently a bedraggled old despot in a hole.

[KC_Conspirator]

They didnt, They showed themselves to be ripe for terrorism and the terrorists have ripened.

Thats so true.

[iconoclast]

Do you mean to imply that this act is somehow a rational causation for a wanton massacre from Al Qaeda? Allow me to introduce you to Red Ken.

Allow me to introduce you to the enemy, foul mouth.

[sgtbono2002]

Are you stupid or what? Iraq was in violation of the treaty signed to stop Desert storm the whole time. He was attacking our planes in the no-fly zone. Admittedly he didnt hit any, but not for the lack of trying. President Bush is confident and competent. Why dont you move back to the DU site where your idiocy goes un noticed.

[iconoclast]

This ain't a 5-10 year war; this is a 100 year war necessitated by a specific tipping point ie the advent of WMD.

Did you make that up or copy it out of Leo Strauss' playbook?

It'll only happen if the there are a sufficient number of American Sheeple.

[iconoclast]

Are you stupid or what? Iraq was in violation of the treaty signed to stop Desert storm the whole time. He was attacking our planes in the no-fly zone. Admittedly he didnt hit any, but not for the lack of trying. President Bush is confident and competent. Why dont you move back to the DU site where your idiocy goes un noticed.

Settle down. Take a deep breath.

Now then, what part of that little hissy fit had anything to do with 9/11?

[sgtbono2002]

****If the cowardly Europeans had shown a United front agains terrorists when this thing started it would be over now." *****

I think you should learn to read friend. I believe Israel and Britain are fighting now. I certainly dont consider them cowardly. I was referring to countries such as France and Spain who bailed out at first sign of trouble and was only of token help in the first place.

I fail to see how acting unafraid helps swell terrorism , but if you say so , who am I to argue. I did not attack any friendly nations as Britain and Israel are already on our side in the fighting. I do agree we can be attacked at any time and that people who are unafraid of dying will not be deterred by a threat of death . However their actual death deters the shit out of them. We need less prisoners and a higher body count, and we need to stop this PC Bull(one of your favorite words) about this not being a religious war with Islam. Maybe we shoudl follow your advice and surrender now, but I dont think so.

[rabair]

please allow me sgtbono2002 to enlighten iconoclast

iconoclast said:
Settle down. Take a deep breath. Now then, what part of that little hissy fit had anything to do with 9/11?

You said this in reaction to sgtbono2002 educating you on the fact that this war in Iraq is actually a resumption of hostilities after years of Saddam breaking the cease fire agreement (not to mention all the UN resolutions.)

I know in the DU you might come off looking like you were pretty quick with that... However in the real world we realize that there is a pre-9/11 world and a post-9/11 world.... I think you can probably figure out what that means and which one we're in now.

So when world intel, even countries oppossing the war say he has WMDs and is a known agitator and terrorist funder and facilitator, I think it's time to take him out... Despite what countries who are getting billions in "Oil for Food" money from Saddam think. Yeah I know, Saddam was the good guy right? I mean we all thought he had the stuff, the UN cited tons unaccounted for, he had used it in the past.. yeah we should bet that Saddam probably got rid of it on his own, seeing as he's always been the good guy.

Anyway, when most of the world agreed he had stuff, the top democrats (including those who call Bush a liar today) spent basically 15 year prior to the war making the same, and often stronger arguments that Saddam had WMDs and that he needed to be removed (remember, Clinton made this policy) and we've just had 3,000 people killed... I think Bush acted too slowly to be honest. And for all who still think he lied... Do you think that no one, not even the "evil genius" Rove would have realized they'd get caught? You guys all think he's about politics and advancing himself and friends.... how so? His numbers are crap, but he continues to do what he thinks is right... Whatever, I'm not quite sure why I just wasted time on someone like you... I've done this in the past and realize it goes no where.

[iconoclast]

Rove would have realized they'd get caught?

Rove didn't even realize HE'D get caught! ;-)

You get EXACTLY the same answer I gave the sarge, windy!

[rabair]

First of all... You're now thread-jacking... but I'll indulge you for a second.

What exactly did Rove get caught doing? You have a problem with longwindedness, so I'll make it simple: Plame hadn't been a covert agent operating overseas within the previous 5 years before Rove made a reference to "Wilson's Wife" which he heard from other journalists, thus there was no crime. It's pretty clear he didn't do anything wrong.

Anyway, back on topic and away from your thread-jack... You predictably avoided any and all points because you've got nothing. First off you ignore the point that all leading Dims who even call Bush a liar made the same and stronger argument for the 15 years leading up to the war and that based on those comments which where based on our intel and international intel we felt the need to stop a (perceived at the very least) growing threat in a post-9/11 world.

I think we're probably done here as I'm guessing you're one of those people who will divert (as you've already displayed here) to a total side issue and avoid main points and then jump back and forth until everyone gets so irritated that they ignore you and you feel like you've won something.... Oh that's right iconclast.. you aren't something new... I'm sure everyone here has dealt with a number of you at one point or another in one place or another.

[iconoclast]

but I'll indulge you for a second.

How mighty big of you since I didn't introduce Mr. Rove into the discussion and have no further interest in him.

First off you ignore the point that all leading Dims who even call Bush a liar made the same and stronger argument for the 15 years leading up to the war and that based on those comments which where based on our intel and international intel we felt the need to stop a (perceived at the very least) growing threat in a post-9/11 world.

Your type loves to ring Slick Willie and Papa Bush into the discussion when you think it fits your purposes but I don't give a puddle of piss to hear what either of them have to say!

until everyone gets so irritated that they ignore you and you feel like you've won something....

Yes, when you recognize the futility of your stance. ;-)

[Stellar Dendrite]

LOL!!!

[rabair]

Well, there's exhibit A ladies and gentleman.

First, I barely mentioned Rove in passing, and it was relevant to what I was saying. Anyone can go back and see that it wasn't the diversion you turned it in to. I won't get dragged back in to arguing side points which you keep insisting on doing because everything you've said has been throughly challenged and you have nothing left to say.

Second, I never mentioned Bush Sr., and I don't believe I ever mentioned Clinton either (although he and his wife are two of the leading Dims who spent the years leading up to the war making the same and often stronger arguments about Saddam's WMDs.) So you've just once again been proven to have nothing so you reply to something I never mentioned.

It's funny really, if anyone is actually reading this exchange thoroughly... They'll see your initial question to another user. My fairly detailed responses. Then your diverting every which way without ever spending one sentence on replying to my point. Folks, I think I've wasted to much time on this guy already... I suggest reading our exchange over the past few comments and familiarize yourselves so you don't make the same mistake.

[patriciaruth]

My husband has the same suspicions that you do.

If true, they are riding a tiger in trying to use islamofascist terrorism to further their aims.

Russia and China starting to join forces openly lately is a very bad sign of what may lie ahead for us.

God help us.

[patriciaruth]

It's Iraq War II.

I wish that is all it were.

Iraq War II may end up being a small battlefield in WWIV.

A kind of French and Indian War for us, with the Chinese/Russians getting the Islamofascists to take our scalps.

[GVnana]

I don't think I have a problem seeing the forest for the trees. You're rude and illogical.

[dr_who_2]

Let's hope money from tourism totally dries up and that Frenchman Mubarak figures out why.