Jihad Watch Board Vice President Hugh Fitzgerald on why the media's most commonly-used word for the American presence in Iraq is misapplied:
I would never use the word "quagmire" about the American effort in Iraq. Iraq is not Vietnam; there is no quagmire, and many important things have been achieved. To wit: the disruption of major weapons programs, the destruction of major weaponry, the uncovering of networks of people who received money and oil vouchers from Saddam Hussein (the whole oil-for-food business). The Americans have, heroically, done fantastic things. Thousands of schools repaired (but what will be taught in those schools once the Americans leave?), a hundred hospitals refurbished, oil pipelines and oil fields constantly being repaired, power grids, etc.That this has received almost no attention in the world press, when it ought to be the constant subject on the nightly news everywhere, says a lot about the distortions in the press. That the Civil Affairs soldiers have to work as hard as they can merely to convince some American journalist to please, please just tell a little about what we are doing, is a scandal. The American press has not distinguished itself, and the soldiers have a right to be resentful (if they are).
A misallocation of resources is quite different from a "quagmire." We can stay, and do all sorts of things. But then we will not be able to do all sorts of other things. And those other things need to be done. The other day a major weapons project -- a plane -- was cancelled for lack of money. If tomorrow the Chinese began to do something with Taiwan, could American forces handle it? Not everything can be done. How does improving lives in Iraq make it more likely that Iraq will be less Muslim in the future, when everything we know about Islam suggests that it is a resilient and permanent and powerful force, and can only be constrained when its own adherents come to see that has, in some ways, failed (the Ataturk example)?
The invasion, the disruption, the deposing of Saddam, were completely justified. The nonsensical business of spending time arguing about or wondering about or second-guessing about whether there was, wasn't, was, wasn't, an "Al Qaeda" connection shows just how silly people can be. What connection, other than that of Islam, need there be? If Egypt were to be acquiring major weaponry (you know, that "WMD"), could that be permitted, knowing the likelihood that Muslims in the government, or Muslims outside the government, might pass that weaponry on to others? Do we need to know anything more, such as whether or not some Iraqi met with Mohammed Atta in Prague? No, we don't.
The "freedom-isn't-free" and "everyone wants democracy" and "democratization should be our after-school and summer project for the next five or ten years" is nonsense. A sentimental substitute for coming to grips with the ideology of Islam. This is something no one in power in the Western world wants to do, not least because there are plenty of people around in think-tanks who, often Muslms themselves, or those who think that they because they were so tough-minded with the Soviets they have, in some sense, "given at the office" and are exempted from any need to show the same hardheadedness about another ideology, or those who get all respectful when they hear the word "religion" -- well, you can see the size of the problem.
Less sentimentalism, more stratagems, less Family-of-Man, more Halford Mackinder.
Morally, we are invincible. Mentally? I am not so sure.
Q: Do Americans have good intentions in Iraq
A: Yes
Q: When have good intentions ever been rewarded or appreciated by Muslims
A: Never
Q: Do the Americans want to build a stable democracy in for the Iraqi people?
A: Yes
Q: Can Muslims maintain a democracy?
A: No
There are about 250,000 Iraqis in Jordan, I think only 16,000 registered to vote. In Australia less than a third of Iraqis registered. So Iraqis want democracy do they? PLEASE! As for Sadam's threat, his bankrupt army could not have invaded Equatorial Guinea.
Personally, I don't give a damn about how many Muslims you people kill, I just feel sorry for your young soldiers - and ours. Also I am worried than you have played into the hands of Islamists. In the current Palestinian elections Hamas is doing very very well, so I don't know why you think that such a democratic road does not lead to an Islamic theocracy.
Not believing in the quagmire theory,though this someday by future historians will be labeled.
No football games on today but how about those Iraqi VOTERS?....what a come back against the odds......some photographers(4) should have some explaining to do to some people i can not even fathom exist......"they are dancing in the streets........
Dancing In The Streets
Written by:
William Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter, Marvin Gaye.
© Jobete Music Co. Inc. ASCAP/Stone Agate Music Division BMI
All Rights Reserved.
---
Wow!
Ah yeah!
Calling out around the world,are you ready for a brand new beat.
Summer's here and the time is right,for dancing in the streets,
They're dancing in Chicago ( They'll be dancing )
Down in New Oreleans ( Dancing in the streets )
Up in New york city ( Dancing in the streets )
All we need is music ( sweet sweet ) sweet music (sweet sweet music )
There'll be music everywhere.
There'll be swinging,swaying,records playing,dancing in the streets,Oh!
It doesnt matter what hat you wear,just as long as you are there,
So come on
Grab a guy,grab a girl,everywhere around the world.
There'll be dancing,dancing in the streets.
( Oh )Its just an invitation,across the nation,a chance for folks to meet.
There'll be laughing and singing,music swinging,dancing in the streets
All we need is music ( sweet sweet ) sweet music (sweet sweet music )
There'll be music everywhere.
There'll be swinging,swaying,records playing,dancing in the streets,Oh!
It doesnt matter what hat you wear,just as long as you are there,
So come on
Grab a guy,grab a girl,everywhere around the world.
Dancing,dancing in the streets,
Way down in LA,everyday,dancing in the streets ( Dancing in the streets )
San Francisco way, ( Dancing in the streets ), they do it everyday now,
( Dancing in the streets )
Lord; thank you for hearing my prayers.
Hugh:
Hugh you are myopic, and have tunnel vision.
Saddam was a secular tyrant, an apostate. Osama had issued a fatwa against him.
We wasted our treasure and blood for what? To create an Islamic Republic of Iraq, led by SCIRI, and the Iranian Ayatollahs, like al Sistani and al Hakim.
For what purpose? The invasion of Iraq was supported and assisted by all of the surrounding Islamic countries Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and the Gulf States, not to mention Iran.
And at the end of the day what do we have, but a neocon approved Islamic Republic of Iraq.
Have you read the Iraqi Interim Constitution. it is modeled on Irans.
And why Shi'a Islam? Because Shi'a Islam, unlike Sunni Islam, is heirarchial and centralized, whereas Sunni Islam is decentralized and "anarchial" (compared to Shi'a Islam).
They, meaning the likes of the IMF, Texaco, Citicorps, Bechtel, Haliburton, Texaco Mobile,Unocal, Carlyle Group can do business with a strong central authority, such as they do business with Iran.
If the Sunnis were to prevail in Iraq, then there would be constant squabbling, assassinations, power struggles until a Hitler, like Saddam or a dictator like Hassan in Syria, emerged again.
All of the surrounding Muslim states benefited from our invasion and getting rid of Saddam, who threatened not only his Muslim neighbors but Israel by posing as the new Saladin/Nebuchanazar.
I post identical information, in more depth and detail on another forum (over run by Muslims and antisemites, who abuse free speech) and am called a Jew and a neo con, because I contradict the Islamocentric ideology that the invasion and the administration are waging a war against Islam for the Jews (who supposedly run the US and the world, LMAO).
And BTW, when you get down to core "family values" , discard the religion and politics, there is not a dimes worth of difference between most of the posters on this forum, and the Muslims/Christian antisemites on that forum.
In fact the dominant ideology, setting aside the perspective on Islam, of here and there is "anti socialist, anti communist, anti Gramscarian, anti feminist, anti homosexual, anti Liberal, anti leftist.
The only thing that seperates you all from them is the Islamic threat, here you see it, there they believe that the "poor muslims" are "victims" of a Zionist conspiracy.
You are anti leftist, Bush apologists, mimicking Muslim apologists, they are anti Bush, but also anti leftist.
I think it is time to step outside the political, ideological box and take a fresh look at what is happening and why.
Left v right, Dem v Repub is a false dichotomy and a trap.
I am a singular entity on that forum,which has 7,000 registered members, and at most 300 posters, I'm the only one that will stand up to the lying, obfuscating Muslims, that will post articles that expose Islam for what it is, quote the Qur'an and Hadiths that show how intolerant and bloody Muhammadism is. And my reward is being called a lying Jew, a neo con, being deceptive and lectured that I unfairly condemn Muslims. I am attacked by Catholics and Christians for being an atheist (yet these same people are moot and keep their mouths shut when the Muslims post their garbage and attack me).
And yes I think Bush is the worst President we ever had, he isn't fighting Islam, he is fighting (supposedly) Islamists, and instead of killing terrorists, he is responsible for creating them, and when he has them under lock and key, he releases them to Tony Blair (or to Pakistan) where they are immediately set free to lend their experience and knowledge to the world wide Jihad.
Yet you insist on being loyal and defending him, because you believe that the only alternative is the equally corrupt and bad Democratic party.
I think we have all been had, and I see a dark future so long as Americans are divided amaongst themselves with our own "culture war" where the "right" makes enemies out of natural allies.
Natural allies like "feminists" and gays. In fact it was "feminists" who raised the first alarm about the misogyny of the Taliban, but they were discounted as "leftists", until Bush needed a justification to attack Afghanistan.
Then he had his wife step up and show pictures of women in burqa's and women being shot in the head in sports stadium, but now that Afghanistan is secure for Unocal, the plight of Afghan women (which is unchanged) is not only ignored, but hidden.
The persecution of Christians and women in Pakistan gets not a mention on this forum, or amongst the anti Jihadis, or the administration, because Musharaff is Bush's ally.
Russia is fighting a life and death struggle with Muslims, not only in Chechnya. But the Bush Administration chastises Putin for his "mistreatment" of the poor Muslims in Chechnya, and remained moot when they murdered those kids in Belsan.
The Bush Administration supported Yuschenko, against the pro Russian Yanukovych, the big difference twixt the two is that Yuschenko, who won the second election, has made special accomodations for the Muslims of the Ukraine, who constitute ll% of the population, whereas Yanukovych knew they were a dangerous fifth column.
Tony Blair, Bushs buddy, is controlled by Muslims, and Muslims get special treatment in England.
In Canada, and parts of Europe, they are allowed to govern their own communities under Shari'a.
And outside of the hidden Wall Street Journal article (and the WSJ is a "conservative publication) have you seen anything in the corporate media (which supports the RNC and parrots the administration line) about the anti Western Jihadi materials and teachings in American mosques? I haven't.
And when the Coptic family gets their throats slit, who do you blame for the obfuscation and silence, "political correctness, a euphemism for liberals". Give me a break the Conservative, Christian and Corporate Right are now in almost total control of the US, and no the media is not "liberal", it is owned by large corporations like GE and Westinghouse, who make profits from supporting the status quo, the RNC.
The FBI works for the Administration, as does HOmeland Security, so I look to the administration, and the media that does their bidding and acts like a semaphore, to investigate and publicize the Islamic hate crime committed against the Copts, but they haven't.
Perhaps this silence of taqiyyah, by the administration might have something to do with the cozy relationship of Bush Cheney Baker Botts with the Saudi Royal family.
Or maybe there is another, not so obvious game afoot.
Liberals and democrats must just hate how well the Iraqi elections went.
January 30, 2005
Because of the Brave Who have FREED the Iraqi People made some thing very special in their Honor!!
Banana Pudding Old Southern Style
Bananas, Vanilla Pudding [old fashion], Nilla Wafers, Butter, Spiced Rum, Brandy, Whipped Cream Will open a nice bottle of Fizzy Wine Later to Celebrate with the Iraqi People in Iraq who are so brave!!
I am sick of the lib media of course the Iraqi People know that things are not all better this is not a movie but have shown that they want a better life and are willing to risk their life’s to make it better!!
I wonder how many Americans are left that will go to that kind of Risk for FREEDOM??
Part of the American Tribe
Squirrel Hunter
Spider Killer
GOD BLESS THE USA AND HER FIGHTING FORCES AND ALL WHO FIGHT WITH HER GIVE THEM STRENGTH, WISDOM, SIGHT, AND COURAGE TO STAY THE COURSE TO VICTORY[FREEDOM] TO DESTROY ALL ISLAMIC TERRORIST AND ALL WHO SUPPORT THEM OPEN THE WORLDS EYES TO THEIR THREAT GIVE THE WORLD COURAGE TO STAND UP AND FIGHT THIS EVIL AMEN
Cross~ thank you for the short version og giaour's rant. It was appreciated. And he still gets it wrong.
Political partisanship indeed is hurting the anti-jihad cause, and I'm continually saddened that many here seem to not realize this. We lose valuable potential allies by insisting on turning this into a right vs. left dichotomy.
Please don't forget that Bush was the first American president to sully an inaugural address by mentioning the Qu'ran (and inadvertently indicating his ignorance of much of the text contained therein) and that the group of Americans most admired by Iranian mullahs were the anti-Catholic, rabidly intolerant, no fun at all Puritans.
If the "liberal media" were less concerned about $$$ demanded from their corporate owners, what we see on T.V. would be quite different.
One thing we must be is UNITED. In the real World Politics and allies are a a dirty business, our Leaders are not perfect any more than the countries they represent. Yet like Democracy this is the best we can expect...My attention was caught by an older Iraqi woman on TV, she was dressed in an unflattering black tent and obviously doesn't use makeup. She declared she was going to vote regardless of Terrorist threats and "THANKED PROPHET MUHAMMED AND GEORGE W BUSH FOR BEING ABLE TO DO SO..." This courageous lady
is a beacon to future of Iraq which all of us sincerely wish 'All The Best'. If this attempt at Democracy works Bush will be a Hero : if not he will receive even more insults and condemnation.
I hope that all the sacrifices in blood and money that Coalition Soldiers and Politicians have made will not be in vain.
Lets give Iraq some time to adjust and stop listening to the Arabs that want to see failure there because they envy the Iraqis that don't have the defeatists attitude like the other MiddleEast Nations.
I remeber reading about a group of colonies that rejected tyranny and domination from a
controlling power that became inept and disfunctional when providing for the people,a document was drafted that unified the scattered
populations and asserted an atonomy that ruled from the bottom upwards to elected leaders,it took about 11 years before all Parties agreed on the final wording for creating the new partnership.
So it was in 1787 the United States Of America declared independence from Britain with a signed document uniting the 13 Colonies that pledged to defend freedom,Liberty and the persuit of happeness from all enemies,domestic(Islam) or foreign(Islam).
The Iraqis have shown us a part of history that Americans went through to risk the loss of life and freedom just to have democratic election that created a secure future for the generations of children that followed and would give their lives as adults to preserve the values that so many Muslim come to America for.
Don't let the Islamists transfer their fears and shortcomings to our shores by dividing Americans and spreading the hatred that's the foundation for the Quran and Muhammed's
mental disorders that made him believe God gave him permission to murder at will to get rid of the infidels.