Iraqis Call Shuttle Disaster God's Vengeance

Reuters ^ | 2.1.03

[mhking]

Per Reuters:

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Iraqis Call Shuttle Disaster God's Vengeance

Sat February 1, 2003 02:08 PM ET
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Immediate popular reaction in Baghdad on Saturday to the loss of the U.S. space shuttle Columbia and its seven-member crew -- including the first Israeli in space -- was that its was God's retribution on Americans. "We are happy that it broke up," government employee Abdul Jabbar al-Quraishi said.

"God wants to show that his might is greater than the Americans. They have encroached on our country. God is avenging us," he said.

Car mechanic Mohammed Jaber al-Tamini noted Israeli air force Colonel Ilan Ramon was among the dead when the shuttle broke up shortly before its return to earth.

"Israel launched an aggression on us when it raided our nuclear reactor without any reason (in 1981), now time has come and God has retaliated to their aggression," Tamini said.

[TomServo]

because we are a dignified people ...

Yes - it's times like this I keep forgetting that. Good thing I don't have my finger on the button. :-)

America rises to tragedy and loss ... we will get past this day, never forgetting our heroes, and we will build the next generation of space shuttles, God wil[l]ing

No doubt. My Father worked on the Space Program during Apollo. Was one of the ones in charge of CM QA (electrical) after Apollo I caught fire.

[LibKill]

Y'know, if Baghdad and Basra went up in Nuclear fireballs today both we and the Israelis could deny it. And the enemy would have a hard time figuring things out. Nukes don't leave casings, fragments, or other forensic evidence.

[hemogoblin]

Our heroes die serving humanity;
their heroes die blowing up busloads of civilians.

[A CA Guy]

Just making the distinction.

I don't think this was God's hand. It's just a horrible tradgedy.

[Howlin]

(I apologize in advance for this on this very solemn thread)

ROFLMAO.

[concerned about politics]

but alas, there have been posts this morning blaming the columbia disaster on the fact that there were minorities on board,

The DUmmies used the race and gender card. Maybe it was just a post reporting what was said there. Many people were shocked about the DUs lack of humanity today. Everything there was political hate today.

[jd777]

Go get 'em. Love that tough talk. We can now conclude that it's not only important to disarm Saddam, but the people of IRAQ, all of them, we are convinced, in fact, DESERVE to die.

You're a real genius.

[hope]

"Iraqis Call Shuttle Disaster God's Vengeance'


Yes, their god, Satan came to steal, kill steal and destroy...

[Focault's Pendulum]

Give it a rest.

Thank you....it was starting to annoy me. I would gone off on a tear...but the timing is as inappropriate as the precedent's posts.

[LibKill]

Wow, you're tough.

Only on the enemies of our country. When it comes to good FReepers like you I am all warm fuzzy feelings. :)

[Poohbah]

Nukes don't leave casings, fragments, or other forensic evidence.

Actually, they do--only a very tiny fraction of the total warhead mass (less than 1%) gets turned into energy, the rest gets evaporated and becomes fallout downwind. You can ID whodunit by the fallout.

[optimistically_conservative]

Yep, that doesn't make me want to see Iraq nuked more than I already did - oh what the hey - Yes It Does!

NUKE the B*STURDS!!!!

[RJCogburn]

we will agree to disagree.

Okay, respectfully so.

not expect God to act.

I just don't see how removing any 'protective umbrella' from people who have nothing to do with actions that offend God (9/11 victims the obvious example) is something worthy of a fair and just God.

Regards.

[Terriergal]

Well... While I understand your vehemence I think your post deserves some editing there....

[A CA Guy]

No, I don't. I think it is a tragedy.

[Howlin]

Well, I've already been bashed today so it's no big deal.

For some reason, people cannot come on these threads without dragging the agendas with them. Even once.

[swheats]

Maybe calm down and reread my statement to joyful.

I was speaking of the tradegy that we find ourselves each time America and Israel are allies. I support Israel and realize America and Israel have enemies. This could be just an accident that happened. But until the full investigation nothing can be ruled out.

[keats5]

"I can't speak for God, but it is troubling the connection of the first Israeli astronaut on board. The Israel/American connection seems to always bring tradegy for us. We do have enemies in high places."

Or low places. We live in a fallen world, and God does not will most evil.

But you are correct. Who can know the mind of God?

America, and Israel certainly sin. Many Americans hate this whole concept, but God does punish sin, even in those He loves. Yet His punishments in the Bible seemed to be for easily discernable clear cut reasons, so that we would get the message intended. He often sent a prophet first to warn us. As a nation we've received many warnings about abortion and cloning (from regular people, not necessarily prophets), but not about space exporation.

In exporing space, we have not as a nation set ourselves above God, as once did the Babylonians with the Tower of Babel. We seem to be only exploring His wonders.

Despite our sins, we probably hold the largest number of sincere Christians on earth. If for no other reason than to protect His name, God might continue to protect us, as He has in the past. We've chosen a leader who fears God, and are ready to declare war on one of God's least favorite people, if you believe Revelation. The Bible also tells us that those who bless Israel (His chosen people) will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed. Thus, I doubt God disapproves of our alliance with Israel in this space program.

[Howlin]

So, you'd let me watch? :-)