I had a very stimulating conversation with my sister in law yesterday and we both study politics and we both enjoy political dialog - we've been doing this for many years.
She has some interesting points of view I'd like to share with those who think we should never have started the killing spree in Iraq, so for those of you who think our involvement there is warranted, please leave now & go read someone else's thread.
First of all, the photos. She mentioned the gigantic impression this is making with the people in the region and througout the world. When you think about Bin Laden's goal - to unite all Muslims against the United States and our allies - our involvement in Iraq has helped his cause more than anything he could have done by himself or with his following. Most of the Islamic believers still do not accept Bin Laden's perspective, however, there are many various Islamic opinions about the man and his mission.
Obviously, BL has a sizeable following who are hard core loyalists (anyone remember the videos of the villagers in Pakistan wildly celebrating the 9/11 attacks?). Then, there is a circle of Muslims who do not fully embrace BL, but who are very anti-American. As the circle of Bin Laden's influence flows out to the remainder of Muslims, there are more and more of them who are now looking at him as, perhaps a viable religious zealot, instead of just an insane rich boy with a bad attitude.
The invasion of Iraq and now the subsequent torture as depicted in the photographs and videos has done nothing to sway Islamic people away from Bin Laden, instead, the result is just the opposite. Now, more than ever, Bin Laden has more support than ever and his popularity and his cause are growing at enormous proportions.
As Mr. Rumsfeld, Mr. Ridge and George Dubya have all said, "It's not a matter of IF, but WHEN we get attacked again", I think it makes a lot of sense for the terrorists to attack just before the election - at least the Repulicans are hoping that's when they'll attack. With a major terrorist strike just before the election, the Republicans are thinking the result will be more unity of the American people and there will be a greater sense of security with Mr. "Trigger Happy" Bush at the helm, which will help him landslide into anther victory.
Please keep in mind, Mr. Bush never gained the popular vote. He and his buddies running the show are NOT military experts and have not taken the advice provided from Colin Powell, among other military experts in their administration. Frankly, I don't blame the world for thinking Americans are selfish, stupid and blood thirsty after what we have done to the Iraqi citizens. It is admirable to help a country get rid of a tyranical dictator, but the way we've gone about it was just plain irresponsible and stupid.
I'm not Islamic, however I can partially understand their changing view of the United States. I don't blame them for hating us. What we've done (attacking Iraq, torturing prisoners, killing perhaps 10,000 civilians and injuring many more) is just stupid, embarrasing and I think Mr. Bush should resign immediately.
Take a poll?
She has some interesting points of view I'd like to share with those who think we should never have started the killing spree in Iraq, so for those of you who think our involvement there is warranted, please leave now & go read someone else's thread.
First of all, the photos. She mentioned the gigantic impression this is making with the people in the region and througout the world. When you think about Bin Laden's goal - to unite all Muslims against the United States and our allies - our involvement in Iraq has helped his cause more than anything he could have done by himself or with his following. Most of the Islamic believers still do not accept Bin Laden's perspective, however, there are many various Islamic opinions about the man and his mission.
Obviously, BL has a sizeable following who are hard core loyalists (anyone remember the videos of the villagers in Pakistan wildly celebrating the 9/11 attacks?). Then, there is a circle of Muslims who do not fully embrace BL, but who are very anti-American. As the circle of Bin Laden's influence flows out to the remainder of Muslims, there are more and more of them who are now looking at him as, perhaps a viable religious zealot, instead of just an insane rich boy with a bad attitude.
The invasion of Iraq and now the subsequent torture as depicted in the photographs and videos has done nothing to sway Islamic people away from Bin Laden, instead, the result is just the opposite. Now, more than ever, Bin Laden has more support than ever and his popularity and his cause are growing at enormous proportions.
As Mr. Rumsfeld, Mr. Ridge and George Dubya have all said, "It's not a matter of IF, but WHEN we get attacked again", I think it makes a lot of sense for the terrorists to attack just before the election - at least the Repulicans are hoping that's when they'll attack. With a major terrorist strike just before the election, the Republicans are thinking the result will be more unity of the American people and there will be a greater sense of security with Mr. "Trigger Happy" Bush at the helm, which will help him landslide into anther victory.
Please keep in mind, Mr. Bush never gained the popular vote. He and his buddies running the show are NOT military experts and have not taken the advice provided from Colin Powell, among other military experts in their administration. Frankly, I don't blame the world for thinking Americans are selfish, stupid and blood thirsty after what we have done to the Iraqi citizens. It is admirable to help a country get rid of a tyranical dictator, but the way we've gone about it was just plain irresponsible and stupid.
I'm not Islamic, however I can partially understand their changing view of the United States. I don't blame them for hating us. What we've done (attacking Iraq, torturing prisoners, killing perhaps 10,000 civilians and injuring many more) is just stupid, embarrasing and I think Mr. Bush should resign immediately.
Take a poll?
well, sort of...
neaky:
opinion