Airstrike kills terror leader al-Zarqawi in Iraq

Lorelei, I agree with what you say here. The long-term answer is to try to help open up their societies, provide them with educational alternatives to the madrassah hate factories, and yes, even encourage the growth of democratic societies (please note: I don't necessarily mean Jeffersonian Democracy. There are hundreds of flavors of democracy that all work, and all provide for the voice of the common man).

Where the hate-mongers get their traction is from the poverty and feeling of powerlessness among the common Arab. This is the attraction of fundamentalist ideology, just as it's been attractive elsewhere in this world, even in the U.S. during WW2 and the Cold War. And the mullahs know that this is the source of their power - encouraging superstition and fear serves their purposes.

There are two options available to us. One is to inflict harm on the leaders and followers of the extremists, which we have done in both Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as in counter-terrorist operations elsewhere. Much of al Qaeda's original leadership has been killed or captured, their funding siezed or obstructed and their support terminated. (Notably, Iran and Syria remain among the largest of those state supporters. Libya hasn't been for some time.) But it's not the total answer and this one option cannot win the whole war.

The second is to attempt to push aside and destroy the old tribal systems of governance which have led to this pass. We're seeing success in Afghanistan and we're seeing success in Iraq despite what American media would have you believe. Those efforts are still very much up in the air, but present our best chances of turning the tide of ignorance. It relies completely on the ability and willingness of moderate/progressive Arab leaders to see the opportunity and rally their countrymen away from the philosophy of hatred that has turned Islam from the most enlightened, prosperous ideology in the world into the most primitive, superstitious, hate-filled backwater of extremist thought in a span of only a few hundred years.

They have a lot to be proud of in their long past, but most of it has been forgotten and overshadowed by a small nucleus of zealots following Wahhabi. We need to help them rediscover that pride before we can talk about winning this war. It's not a war on terrorism - it is a war of ideals.

Good riddance, the monster got what he deserved.

I don't know where you went to school, but where I did, multiculti was everything. Every culture was taught to be equally valid, and god help you if you ever questioned it. One exception: South African Apartheid was (rightfully) not OK. But subjegating half your population under the guise of religion? Hey, we're supposed to appreciate that as being different and wonderful.

And it's like that even into the work world. I get extra brownie bonus points if I can document that I talk to a lot of minorities, disabled people, yadda yadda.

When you said dumass (sic) brainwashing, were you referring to the culture of political correctness? Because if that's what you meant, then, yes.

I'm sure Nicholas Berg and Eugene Armstrong would disagree with you that he was "invented".


From your own favorite news outlet, BBC, Kendra:
Profile: Abu Musab al-Zarqawi


Text of al Zarqawi's letter to bin Laden

al Qaeda leader plans an Iraq Army (Apr 2006)


Who is al Zarqawi? (May 2004)



I see this as predictable, though. For a long time it's been "Why haven't we captured/killed Osama/Zarqawi?" as one of the many drums being beaten to bash Bush and the war effort. Then, of course, once we DO kill Zarqawi, it's a "distraction" and dismissed as a publicity stunt. What do you want to bet the same thing would happen if/when we kill Osama?

A person or group of persons that sytematically use terror as a means of coercion.

Briana Dawson

Funny, I always attributed ignorance to steadfastly defending viewpoints with non related datum....

I mean the stunning logical conclusion of "We killed Zarqawi but it doesn't matter because bush made marines kill people" that you like to alude to certainly smacks of the highest calibur fo debate.

/sarcasm

You know I have still yet to see you post a solution to anything. Thats what I love about people with your mindset, quick to find the problems but damned if you can find a better way around them. Salut.

You would be right if that's what I said. Since it's not I guess your point is moot.

That pretty much sums up Bush I would think.

His father does.




I said I get my news from there, I didn't say I automaticaaly swallow it.




Proof that this is his letter?




so?




This counters what I've said how?





Zaquawi is a created Boogeyman --PRECISELY because wqe haven't caught Bin Laden.

Bin Laden has no doubt been dead for the last three years BTW. Killed in the bombing at Tora Bora.

Do a little research and you'll find much more, but this will get you started.

wow. How come we're not at war with them instead of having them as our allies?

Damn good question.

maybe you should think about the answer.

I know the answer. And?

I really didn't expect to change your mind about Zarqawi being "invented", Kendra. And I wasn't disappointed. But I did force you to ignore the fact that there is quite a bit of documentation out there about his connections to al Qaeda, despite your insistence otherwise.

As for his letter to Osama, that one's been around a while and not even the most radical anti-Bush people have found proof that it wasn't what is claimed. (Note that this is not the same letter as the one from al Qaeda to Zarqawi that turned up some time later, and which is suspected as a fake).

But anyway, believe what you wish I suppose. I'm just glad reality is immutable.

so what's your answer?

I've never said he wasn't connected to Al-Qaeda. I've said he wasn't a "master mind" of Al-Qaeda. He had his own little group that got aid from Al-Q.

See --I don't have to prove a letter is fake. The Government that claims it's real has to prove to me that it's real. The Government is answerable to US. Not the reverse.

We're too dependent on their oil, of course. *shrug* Is that supposed to be some kind of revelation? Or are you making the mistake of thinking that, since I disagree with you, I must be infatuated with the current administration?

Not mistaking that at all. I just think you are cutting them too much slack.

RL LOL!!!

Of course he was.

Briana Dawson

OMFG LOL!! That website made me almost spit-up my kool-aid.

Osama has been dead since December 2001 according to that website.

So how does that explain the tape Bin Laden released just before the 2004 election that spoke directly about the election?

I'm sure you will tell me that it was fake and that you learned it from one of the plethora of 'news' websites you visit.

Briana Dawson

so his tapes that have come out since then were faked?

I seen a film were a Dinosaur ran down the road and smashed a car up... so whats your point?

Goldstein LIVES!!

doornails are never living so how can they be dead?