News from the Long War, Thread 4

Various | 4/15/07 | Knitting a Conundrum and Others

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Thread 4



Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, our nation has fought a global war against violent extremists who use terrorism as their weapon of choice, and who seek to destroy our free way of life. Our enemies seek weapons of mass destruction and, if they are successful, will likely attempt to use them in their conflict with free people everywhere. Currently, the struggle is centered in Iraq and Afghanistan, but we will need to be prepared and arranged to successfully defend our nation and its interests around the globe for years to come. DOD

Our enemies include all the Muslims who dream of knocking Western Civilization off its perch atop humanity’s dung heap. Islam is fractured into any number of sects, tribes and ethnic groups, but the dream of destroying us cuts across all the fault lines. Islamic terrorists are merely the tip of a very large spear.

J. Peter Mulhern, the American Thinker, September 18

The determination behind that fight is real, the hatred is real, and the excuses for doing this are very real in the minds of those who have decided to walk that path. We can respond in two ways: Try to ignore or negotiate with people who do not want to negotiate in good faith, because what they want is our destruction, or to stand up against the darkness of those who see all of us, our way of life, our culture and our aspirations as something worth eliminating.

Either: "And God willing, with the force of God behind it, we shall soon experience a world without the United States and Zionism," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Or: "With vigilance, determination, courage, we will defeat the enemies of freedom, and we will leave behind a more peaceful world for our children and our grandchildren." GW Bush.

Here's where I will post news and info about the Long War. Let me know if you're interested.

Thread 1

Thread 2

Thread 3

[Bahbah]

They used the media to stop Israel from destroying them and turn around a claim they defeated Israel.

The people responsible for the defense of their countries and for the waging of war are going to have to realize they are going to have to do so in the face of these media campaigns and either find a way to counter them or just ignore them and do what needs to be done.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

Agreed - same goes for America.

[Uncle Ike]

” I think that we need a new strategy (and ROE) in DC....... “

/rant on (full rant mode)...

I realize I’m stepping on a lot of toes, here, but I feel the need to share my thoughts about the infamous - and endless - JR thread where so many of our most esteemed members have spent their time the past few days —

The JR thread took up a lot a time, and an infinite amount of energy, to do exactly - repeat EXACTLY - what our enemies (all of them, foreign and domestic) *want* us to do.

Instead of speaking of “vision” and “strategy” and “common ground” and “UNITY”, we waste our efforts in the all-too-familiar ‘circular firing squad’, splitting ideological hairs and bickering with each other while ignoring the real crises that face us.

The anti-Illegal Aliens crowd, and the anti-abortion crowd, and the anti-gay marriage crowd, and the anti-gun-grabber crowd, and the myriad “anti’s” all jump up-and-down and screech “ME!! ME!! ME FIRST!! My Issue is the ONLY ISSUE!!!”

Our only salvation will be if we STOP being “anti”, and figure out what we all agree we are “FOR” — and then directing concerted effort to make that come about.

As it stands, we are divided, and we are conquered.

Make no mistake about it — this upcoming election MUST be about “VISION”, what our nation needs to be, now and into the future.

And then - only then - finding *leaders* who reflect this vision and doing what it takes to get them elected. As far as I can see, there is no candidate out there for ANY national office that deserves our respect or support — we deserve better, and we need to make that known - loud and clear.

We need to stop trying to drive square pegs into round holes - NONE of the gaggle of candidates out there is right for the times - or right for us.

Ann Coulter the other day said that the one benefit she got from watching the Dem Candidates debate was that it made her feel a little bit better about *our* sorry lot — is that *really* what our nation and our way-of-life needs at this point in history?

I’m not smart enough to have the answers to the crises that face us — a smart and implacable islamist enemy abroad; an equally smart and implacable socialist enemy at home; an energy (and resulting economic) crisis that is as imminent as it is ignored and denied; among others — but I am bright enough to see that our “leaders” ain’t addressing them, and we’re letting them get away with it.

/rant off (out of gas....)

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

I agree there is a lot of poo flinging right now and splitting of hairs but Jim stated what we are for and what we are against and there are some that seems to take issue with it. I have no problem with it - in fact, I like it.

Take comfort in fact that it will pass and we will be stronger.

.02 worth of opinion.

[Bahbah]

but I am bright enough to see that our “leaders” ain’t addressing them, and we’re letting them get away with it.

Then I am going to claim "brightness" too, since I can see what you can see. I will also lay claim to a modicum of virtue for not having spent one second on that thread. As you point out, when we desperately need to unite, whether we can find the ideal candidate or not, we are busy verbally blowing each others brains out!!!! Not my cup of tea.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

I’m not taking a active role in it and it is difficult for me to watch. It is my hope that they will tire soon and come together in reason and understanding - much like we did on this thread. That is my hope.

[Uncle Ike]

” I will also lay claim to a modicum of virtue for not having spent one second on that thread. “

My virtue is slightly tarnished, in that I dipped into it off-and-on - long enough to see that it was something I wasn’t about to participate in....
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“ whether we can find the ideal candidate or not “

If we build it, they will come.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

"My virtue is slightly tarnished, in that I dipped into it off-and-on - long enough to see that it was something I wasn’t about to participate in...."

Oooopppps - I have no virtue (but I do have a couple of redeeming qualities) :(

Still FRiends?

[Uncle Ike]

” Still FRiends? “

Always FRiends — which is something we need to keep in mind, even when we don’t agree point-to-point.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

Absolutely - and thank you.

[Bahbah]

Alliance aims to oust Ahmadinejad
Jerusalem Post ^ | April 30, 2007

Anti-government forces are planning to deny Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad another term in office and break the grip of what they call the “militia state,” on public life and personal freedom, it was reported on Monday.

Opposition factions, democracy activists, and pro-reform clerics said they would bring together progressive parties loyal to former president Mohammad Khatami with so-called pragmatic conservatives led by Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, the UK’s The Guardian reported .

The alliance aims to exploit the president’s unpopularity, which is on the rise due to high unemployment, rising inflation and a looming crisis over petrol prices and possible rationing to win control of the Majlis in general elections which are due within 10 months.

Parliament last week voted to reduce Ahmadinejad’s term by holding presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously next year.

Link: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1825824/posts

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

That would be great if true. Could be a propaganda piece but for the fact that Ahmanutjob is arresting any and all opposition.

Also if true, we see an increase in suicides among the alliance members

[Bahbah]

Could be a propaganda piece

Always a possibility, as is the case with just about everything we read.

What I can't figure out is this crackdown on dress and now haircuts. When you are unpopular, do you try to find things to do to make yourself more so?

[Uncle Ike]

” What I can’t figure out is this crackdown on dress and now haircuts. “

When the purpose is to completely stifle dissent, it behooves one to exert control over even ‘trivial’ details.

JMO, of course....

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

It's not very bright but I guess the question is, Are the Mullah's driving this or is Al Qaeda? If it's the Mullah's, then your last post would be propaganda. If it's Al Qaeda, then the Mullah may be trying to wrest control from them.

Did that make any sense at all?

[Bahbah]

That is the only explanation that makes any sense.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

“When the purpose is to completely stifle dissent, it behooves one to exert control over even ‘trivial’ details.” Very true.

[Uncle Ike]

” Very true. “

Hence, “political correctness”, by the bye......

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

Agreed - I’m glad I’m not the only one who understands that.

[Bahbah]

Selective leaking of bits and pieces has begun.

Winograd Report: Olmert, Peretz Negligent, Failed War Objectives
Israel News Agency ^ | April 30, 2007 | Joel Leyden

Jerusalem ——April 30...... Leaked portions of the Winograd report on the Lebanon War state that Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz were “negligent” and failed in carrying out their roles as Prime Minister and Defense Minister during the Lebanon War.

The Winograd report further states that both Olmert and Peretz failed to meet the objectives of the war - capturing the Katusha launchers in South Lebanon and rescuing Israel’s missing soldiers. The Winograd report goes on to scold Olmert for allowing an unprepared Israel Defense Forces to enter Lebanon without proper supplies such as water, food and bullets. And that the Prime Minister neglected Israel civilians on the Northern border, allowing the people of Kiryat Shamona to dwell in shelters for weeks without food and other essential supplies.

Sources in the Prime Minister’s office state that Olmert will not resign, but will rather call for early elections to save face.

Link: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1825897/posts