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.

[A CA Guy]

No, nobody deserves murder, disasters like 9-11.

But we no longer have the protection we once have as a nation either.

How can we mock God and his commandment on murder in the area of killing babies and not expect correction from God?

I don't have any knowledge regarding what God does or does not allow to happen with us. I just know we need to get right with God or we will be in some trouble over time.

Do you think God blesses murder of the innocent?
I don't either, and that is why the issue of a loss of blessing/protection was raised by the other Freeper. I did think they had a point though. I don't know or claim any disaster is the hand of God.

[Elenya]

I say we go in now.

[Ditter]

Of course the Iraqis said said that. What did you expect them to say? Why is this even a news story? Now the democrats have their heads together trying to figure out how to blame this on Bush & the Republicans.

[glory]

Have to agree with you. I checked over there a couple of times today and the sympathetic posters were not only in the minority, but were, as you said, unmercifully attacked for not towing the line there.
SICK...

[A CA Guy]

I agree, many kept going to the issue so I answered them.

This all started because another Freeper brought up the issue and I said they had a point on some level.

But like you said, this is a thread to point out the stupidity of Iraq's remarks and a place to express our sorrow.

God bless the families who lost their loved one.

Thanks justshe.

[WestViking]

Under the current circumstances, Iraqi compassion for the astronauts killed would be a major news story.

The Iraqi message is normal for a dictatorship that has succeeded in thwarting its enemies through a barrage of evasions and accusations for over a decade. Attacking and belittling the American can do Hussein no harm at this point.

Considering this was the day Hussein was going to agree to improved access for UN weapons inspectors, I wonder if he will use the NASA tragedy as an excuse to avoid cooperation.

[concerned about politics]

These sorry Iraqi civilians have lived under, supported and defended the Saddam Hussein regime.

There was a documentary on the History channel about Saddam.
At one time, the Iraq people were ready to overthrow Saddam and wanted US help.
BUT...instead of Clinton saying OK and helping them , Clinton went after the CIA instead, and the overthrow was denied.
When we do finally free the Iraq people, Americans are going to be shocked at how happy the newly freed Iraq people will be!
If they're dancing in the streets today, it's because their cooperation was ordered by Saddam.

[freedumb2003]

>>
We have not been a God fearing country as a whole for a while.
That was my point, not anything to do with the disaster here or your faithfull reading of the Taliban text.

The sand people of the moon-god though are in a whole class of evil of their own, beyond what we do with abortion, but we are no prize in the eyes of God IMO due to all the abortions in America.<<

You are frightening. In another thread, someone said that for your kind, everything is about abortion. That is clear here as well.

Your kind uses this argument to allow targeting of abortion doctors. It is clear you have attempted to use this tragedy to further your goals. And being a Conservative does not automatically make one agree with the "pro-life" movement.

[Terriergal]

I wonder if he will use the NASA tragedy as an excuse to avoid cooperation.

How on earth would that make sense? I'm lost.

Of course, maybe "not making sense" is the main idea...

[jd777]

Excuse me, That's exactly what this article is. "Immediate popular reaction from IRAQ"?!? Oh they mean according to noted "Car mechanic Mohammed Jaber al-Tamini"...

[Chad Fairbanks]

Osama (circa 1970) "I say we attack the Great Satan NOW"

Bad Guy Henchman #1: "But Osama, America is protected by God. We would not succeed..."
Osama: "Ok... I think you are right, BGH#1."


Then, later...

Osama: "America has allowed abortion for decades now! The time is ripe for attack, my brothers! We will nowsucceed because America has lost the protection of God!"

[joesnuffy]

Hey ragheads the next debris will be that of Iraq....falling on Palestine.....
Palestine middle east that is and it will be RADIOACTIVE for a thousand years....
have a nice half-life

[LibKill]

"To the enemies of our country! May they have cobweb breeches, a porcupine saddle, a hard-trotting horse, and an eternal journey."

[Terriergal]

Your kind uses this argument to allow targeting of abortion doctors.

Now, now, he never said anything like that. I don't agree with him either but that's a little bit too far IMO.

That being said, we did fight a war to end slavery which is based upon the same legal rationale that abortion is.

[Terriergal]

yeah but you have to be careful - Israel is over there too.

[MadIvan]

What part of DEAD do these blighters not understand? It's time Saddam was silenced for good.

Regards, Ivan

[Catspaw]

So how do you explain the Challenger disaster? There were no Israelis on board, but yet it exploded.

[TomServo]

the peace of the Lord to the crew and their families this day

Did you hear what Lousma said about Husband? It was a wonderful testimony to Husband's service to the Lord. Know that he is walking with his Heavenly Father now.

[keats5]

Huh? Either you misread my post, or left out a negative in your post. I fully support the space exploration program.

[WestViking]

Seven brave people, six Americans and an Israeli, five men and two women, gave their lives in our quest to understand the vast space beyond our atmosphere.

These were all educated and skilled people, expert in their specialty fields and highly trained in space exploration. They were not uninformed risk takers or foolhardy adventurers, but people who knew, understood and accepted the risks associated with their chosen profession.

The loss of the ship ‘Columbia’ and these brave, dedicated people reminds us that space travel is not routine despite the many successful flights to date. Things can and do go terribly wrong with devastating results.

Our compassion and prayers must go to the loved ones of the lost astronauts. They can not be compensated for their loss, and so pay a very high price for our efforts to advance our science and knowledge.

Those who died truly were the best that they could be, and lost their lives in furthering a noble venture. May they rest in peace with the honours they are due.