Posted on 10/13/2009 2:22:59 AM PDT by Sergeant Tim
In any case, the arcane beliefs of those two don't matter. The question is why they get recruits. Islamists can only recruit suicide bombers and other recruits because we have troops in the region. It is revealing that there are no anti-U.S. suicide bombers in Darfur, Chad, or Nigeria. Why? The logical answer is that we have no troops there. If we did, they'd be attacking us. The best way to take the wind of the sails (and dry up their recruits) is to quit trying to meddle in every knook and cranny of that region.
Please note that EVERY attempt to unify the Arab, much less Islamic, world beyond ANY political and relgious leader has utterly failed in the last century. It is simply not realistic that a Wahabit Sunni living in a cave in Pakistan and a bunch of Farsa Ayatollahs in Iran are capable of uniting the Islamic world under one leader. Every attempt at Arab unity since Nasser (and there have been, many, many of them) did not get beyond square one. In fact, the trend has been in the OPPOSITE directions as Islamic countries such as Somalia and Iraq are beginning to break apart.
that’s “behind any religious or political leader”
They don’t have to be in the same room in order for them both to account us enemies. After all, we and the Soviets fought against a common foe even though—as soon was apparent—we were natural enemies. Obviously, they have different notions of the triumph of Islam, but they could wait to fight it out until the “infidel “ is vanquished.
As to the suicide bombers, you use whatever weapons come to hand. If you can’t stand toe to toe with the enemy on the battlefield, you use other means.
As to the budget, well, maybe Obama will abandon the fight because he figures on busting the budget for another purpose—a huge expansion of the welfare state. As we can see from the result of Brown’s action in Britain that doesn’t leave much for war.
On what basis do you believe that a fanatic in a cave who probably doesn't even control one country can take over the world much less command a "vast Sunni caliphate." Let me point again that EVERY attempt to unite either the Arab, much less than Islamic world, have failed miserably.
I meant to say that Bin Laden probably doesn’t control an area as large as one “county” rather than “country.”
Mohammed started by controlling one desert oasis. He is now established among peoples who inhabit a region that includes southern Afghanistan and northern Pakistan. His brand of Islam is the glue that holds the Taliban tribes together. Potentially he can gain control of all Pakistan, a country with nukes. As for Iran, there is nothing to keep them from supplying tactical support for the tribes to the east, so long as they can cause mischief for us. If we withdraw, the Taliban will again be at war with the Northern Alliance, and this time they may win. They could then extend their influence into central Asia, including western China. Iran will have been freed of a presence on its eastern frontier and can now concentrate on the Gulf States and Iraq—where they have had influence for years, both among the Shia and the Kurds. No telling how events will shape all this. The emotion may play out; important leaders may die. New leaders may emerge. Whatever, this is not a small, isolated event, if for nothing more than it will all be happening on the borders of some very important places, including India and China.
Mohammed began bey controlling one desert oasis; Bin Laden began in an almost equally small place..
We've got several.
The Naderites helped elect Bush II.
We could combine the DemocRAT strategy of taking over the Secretary of State Offices throughout the states, with Rush's Operation Chaos.
We need to begin funding and supporting, right now, the Greenies, Naderites, and Peace & Freedom parties, in opposition to 0bama, with the intent of bleeding off some percentage of the vote in 2012.
As was stated repeatedly after those events, WE BOMBED THE WRONG COUNTRY.
I always keep in mind what Debra Burlingame said, a few years ofter 9-11-01.
When asked what she missed about those days after that horrible event, when America was briefly united, she said, "I miss the anger."
Your post is very insightful.
Living in California, I can tell you that it wasn't the single males that have caused the state into bankruptcy (although they contributed to the crime rate.)
It was their dependents, who take far more out of the systems in taxes than they contribute, especially in education costs, ranging from free preschool through high school.
Here in Texas (Dallas) you could actually see it.
I remember driving by apartment complexes housing large numbers of (presumably largely illegal) immigrant workers during the 1980's. Those complexes would be more than half empty during the winter months. In the spring and summer they would be full of men, but you would almost never see a woman or a child.
Those same apartments now are mostly full year round, and women and children are commonly seen.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.