The man needs to be part of the Lack of Intelligence committee. It's nice to see what we can look forward to with the new Congress. One can't blame him for lack of knowledge though-the Anarchists ran on the platform of destroying Bush and little else. They will do a nice job of it-to the exclusion of virtually everything else. But then again, Bush has few to blame but himself for helping create that atmosphere of revenge.

Posted by: ISLAMSFORLOSERS at December 12, 2006 8:06 AM

"Congressman, go rent a copy of the movie Patton. Note the use Patton made of Rommel's book of military strategy. Consider carefully possible parallels in our own day".-Robert

Patton looks through his binoculars and says (I think I'm close), "Rommel, you magnificent son-of-a-bitch, I read your book"! as he counterattacks and smashes the Afrika Corps. No wonder the Nazis considered Patton the most dangerous American and Allied General.

Posted by: Frank at December 12, 2006 8:17 AM

We could use a Patton today. He must be rolling in his grave at what's become of the US.

Posted by: ISLAMSFORLOSERS at December 12, 2006 8:21 AM

At least Patton could identify the enemy and knew how best to combat them.

How can you expect to defeat an enemy if you do not even know who the enemy is????

Posted by: exsgtbrown at December 12, 2006 8:31 AM

How can you expect to defeat an enemy if you do not even know who the enemy is????
Posted by:exsgtbrown at December 12, 2006 08:31AM

Agreed. Fighting and winning a war is difficult enough. Not knowing whom you are fighting makes it nigh impossible.

It doesn't help to have people like Glenn Beck waffling as he did last night on his TV show. Truly disheartening it was. I thought he was on our team, but apparently, Dhimmitude has its privilages.

Posted by: awake at December 12, 2006 8:47 AM

If Patton were alive today, he wouldn't have anytime to fight islam. He'd spend the entire day and night slapping every coward, dhimmi, idiot, leftist, malcontent, protestor, nancy, dimwit, and ninny and still never get to half of them.

It's best that he's dead.

Posted by: August22 at December 12, 2006 8:48 AM

There’s an easier but less precise answer, if one can’t be bothered to get the details correct:

al Qaeda is a Muslim organization.

As far as I know, whenever al Qaeda disseminates any one of their many tapes announcing their intentions, they quote, as their justification, neither Sunni books, nor Shi’ite books, but that other famous scripture, regarded by both the Sunni camp and the Shi’ite camp, and even more moderate Muslims, as the immutable holy word of God.

Posted by: Steve Cheng at December 12, 2006 8:50 AM

There's an old saying: "We get the government we deserve."

Didn't some Louisianna district just re-elect some scumbag caught with close to $100,000 in graft hidden in a freezer?

Posted by: waterdragon52 at December 12, 2006 8:54 AM

Original interview is at Congressional Quarterly at:

New Intelligence Chairman Needs a Crash Course on al Qaeda
http://public.cq.com/public/20061211_homeland.html

Posted by: jeffreyimm at December 12, 2006 8:54 AM

waterdragon52,
Some people, when given the opportunity to vote will elect jihadists, others will elect criminals. And yes, we do have Americans who are so dumb that even a moron can fool them. Sad but true.
In a concession speech, Carter embraced family members and pledged to work with Jefferson, especially on the area’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina. “I guess the people are happy with the status-quo,” she said.
http://news.bostonherald.com/politics/view.bg?articleid=171363

Posted by: tgusa at December 12, 2006 9:05 AM

Al-Qaeda's head in Iraq -- he renamed his group--was Al-Zarqawi. And Reyes may not know it, but Al-Zarqawi regarded the Shi'a as worse than the Americans, as more dangerous Infidels. He wrote and spoke about it frequently. This was largely ignored, or perhaps deliberately suppressed, byt the American government. It would not do, given the policies of that government, to make Americans too aware of the Sunni-Shi'a split, lest some of them begin to recognize the folly of the American policy, in attempting to patch up that unpatchable fissure, and the folly of not welcoming that sectarian fissure in the first place.

Posted by: Hugh at December 12, 2006 9:15 AM

"It would not do, given the policies of that government, to make Americans too aware of the Sunni-Shi'a split, lest some of them begin to recognize the folly of the American policy, in attempting to patch up that unpatchable fissure, and the folly of not welcoming that sectarian fissure in the first place".

Posted by: Hugh at December 12, 2006 09:15 AM

With the West's ongoing ignorance and often sheer stupidity regarding Islamania this split may turn out to be the one thing that ends up saving the West from defeat.

Posted by: ISLAMSFORLOSERS at December 12, 2006 9:20 AM

Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas .... this maroon is a Democrat. You can see how serious Democrats are about war, national defense, national security. And this clown is a Democrat moderate! Not a loony left liberal whose "issues" are gay rights, citizenship for illegal aliens and welfare outreaches

Posted by: dennisw at December 12, 2006 9:34 AM

You say Shiite
I say Sunni
Oh, let's call the whole thing off
Oh, if we call the whole thing off

Posted by: dennisw at December 12, 2006 9:36 AM

You say Shiite
I say Shyte
I say Sunni
you say Yunus

Got his head up his yunus.

Oh, let's call the whole thing off
Oh, if we call the whole thing off

Let's shut all countries down for a 10 year moratorium on immigration.

Posted by: germaninamerica at December 12, 2006 9:47 AM

Didn't some Louisianna district just re-elect some scumbag caught with close to $100,000 in graft hidden in a freezer?

YEP--Same people reelected the poor excuse of a governor.

And you thought Minnestota voters were careless.

Posted by: exsgtbrown at December 12, 2006 9:57 AM

or clueless

Posted by: exsgtbrown at December 12, 2006 9:58 AM

exsgtbrown-

My all time favorite election joke was when Marion Barry got elected AFTER being caught on tape smoking crack and all the BS that people spouted as to why they voted for him afterwards. Nothing tops that one. But at least he's not in the position that Reyes will be in. It just seems like it.

Posted by: ISLAMSFORLOSERS at December 12, 2006 10:12 AM

On the bright side, I heard that he is an ex Border Patrol agent.

With a little education and seasoning, he could turn into a good advocate on National Security issues.

Posted by: treehugger at December 12, 2006 10:13 AM

germaninamerica... you gotta stream of consciousness thing going on and I like it. You must be a graduate of the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kerouac_School_of_Disembodied_Poetics

Posted by: dennisw at December 12, 2006 10:18 AM

This is a bit embarassing but I'd agree with the poster who said Al Queda is fundamentally MUSLIM.

The problems the west face are muslim-centric - both sides of the house are murderous jihadis. That said it would be lovely if politicians could make a bit of an effort to understand a) the identity of the enemy b) the enemy's nature. Surely that isn't too much to ask?

Posted by: Alex at December 12, 2006 10:42 AM

The problems the west face are muslim-centric - both sides of the house are murderous jihadis. That said it would be lovely if politicians could make a bit of an effort to understand a) the identity of the enemy b) the enemy's nature. Surely that isn't too much to ask?

Posted by: Alex at December 12, 2006 10:42 AM

Amen to that. And once they learn of these things let them exploit the Sunni-Shiite split to the hilt. THAT will probably be what saves us all in the end- not some vague reactive policies where the enemy isn't even identified.

Posted by: ISLAMSFORLOSERS at December 12, 2006 10:54 AM

"Now, Silvestre, go up to the map and show us where Iraq is...No, Silvestre, that is Italy but I'll give you two points for picking a country that begins with 'I'."

Posted by: USBeast at December 12, 2006 11:03 AM

I have taken the liberty to send off a thoughtful E-mail to Representative Reye's 16th district Texas mail contact; encouraging him to take up Robert's offer of today as well as encouraging him to seek out other experts on Islam while he holds this very important chairmanship.

Posted by: Mackie at December 12, 2006 11:19 AM

Heh heh heh August22, you said it!
http://www.masada2000.org/war.html

Posted by: Carolyn2 at December 12, 2006 11:22 AM

And for all those who would like to also do the same. Allow me to recommend being cordial and thoughtful on your Emails

E mail contact for the soon to be Intell.

Chairman Reyes:

http://mnrick.redstate.com/contact

Posted by: Mackie at December 12, 2006 11:27 AM

As an afterthought - it would be nice if politicians would study the Koran and the supporting texts. But politicians are not specialists by and large, they are generalists largely out of necessity and not laziness.

Sunni or Sh'ite? The ideological differences here - the fact that they consider each other heretics, that the latter have some laughable belief in the 12th imam who is hiding in some well waiting for armageddon and the former want us to timewarp back at least 1200 years...these little details are inconsequential compared to what we know that unites Sunni and Shi'ite's as Muslims - their ideology is violent, totalitarian, totally incompatible with western civilisation, and currently resurgent.

This is what really matters and what needs to be addressed.

We are at war. We did not start this war. The people who did despise all that we stand for - the rule of law, pluralism, tolerance: the core values of both ideologies are completely incompatible. Mohammed's message of 'convert, submit, or die' is quite clear and the choice is ours alone. Shall we convert, commit, die, or recognise Islam for what it is and deal with it?

Posted by: Alex at December 12, 2006 11:33 AM

Another moron in Congress--what else is new. We need to have a revolution of some sort here. Forget about fighting the jihadis. BTW, did anyone tell liberals that the song Kumbaya is rather passe and a bad one at that?

Posted by: Brooklyn Dave at December 12, 2006 11:43 AM

The man is no intellectual, just look at his picture. Sure, he is a cunning politician, but intellectual pursuits and curiosity are not what he's about. Just like Bush, in fact (what's with Texas, always electing mediocrities?)

Posted by: george_rem at December 12, 2006 11:43 AM

I saw that on TV, very disquieting, but then again it is a characteristic shared by ALL, virtually ALL, Americans, including Jihad Watchers, LGF, and FR types..I dare say that even most Jihad Watchers don't know the real difference between Shi'a and Sunni, nor do they care...so long as they have talking points.. and this is true of virtually ALL of our selected representatives in all branches of government, as well as 99.9% of the military, and I daresay even those who are fighting in Iraq.

And another aspect of Islamic life that is not understood at all, is it's tribal nature, a derivative of it's Arab origins, nor does anyone, including I suspect Hugh and Robert understand the differences and antipathy that exists beneath the surface between Arab and Persian even though both are Shi'ite.

A good example is Mogtada al Sadr, an Arab Shi'ite, who has his own war with the Iranian Shi'ites of SCIRI and the Da'wa party.. and how many Jihad Watchers understand or have any real knowledge of SCIRI and the Da'Wa party.. I haven't seen any exposition on the part of Robert or Hugh about SCIRI, and it's Iranian orgins, nor the Iranian origins of Ayatollahs Al Sistanti and Al Hakim.

Ignorance runs deep in America of the mid east, very deep.. and the failings of Rep Reyes are essentially the failings of ALL elected officials, of either party.

There is a lack of intellectual curiousity and a lack of interest in reading and learning, they are too busy schmoozing and being schmoozed by lobbyists, to pay attention to anything.

And that is the problem with American politics and the Dhimmicrat and Repugnican party.. long on talking points, short on common sense and knowledge, long on pandering to the base, short on doing what is really the correct thing to do to save our country, the constitution and the working middle class (what is left of it anyway).

Posted by: Nariz at December 12, 2006 11:47 AM

I remember something similar to this here:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/006276.php
What do you think is the cause of terrorism now?

Posted by: sectionOne at December 12, 2006 11:57 AM

And another aspect of Islamic life that is not understood at all, is it's tribal nature, a derivative of it's Arab origins, nor does anyone, including I suspect Hugh and Robert understand the differences and antipathy that exists beneath the surface between Arab and Persian even though both are Shi'ite.

By Nariz

I question whether this is of any more than academic significance given the problem at hand and the fact that the vast majority of politicians and voters in large-scale conflicts tend not to be historians.

The facts are quite simple here - there is a conflict of civilisations and at the moment it is pretty one-sided.

Willy-waving about the nitty-gritty might be fun but it'd be better to get down to brass tacks before going down that road.

We haven't gotten down to brass tacks so far.

Posted by: Alex at December 12, 2006 12:03 PM

'I dare say that even most Jihad Watchers don't know the real difference between Shi'a and Sunni, nor do they care..' ~nariz 'the nose' giaour

Yes. Proof once again that nariz is the ONLY knowledgeable person in the world. He even knows the minds of everyone who frequents this site!

---

"gee-hod," not "jye-had."

Well... it does sort of sound like a cowboy accent...

Posted by: Gary at December 12, 2006 12:05 PM

Nariz, you made a good point as far as anyone coming up with a good analysis of SCIRI and the Da'wa parties--or even Sistani for that matter. Maybe I might be reading too much into it, but Persians are very conscious of their roots and their pre-Islamic (Zoroastrian) roots as well. The whole Norooz festival with the bonfires is Zoroastrian to the core. I would love to read a good analysis of the above mentioned.

Posted by: Brooklyn Dave at December 12, 2006 12:27 PM

In addition to the shocking cluelessness of Congressman Reyes regarding al Qaeda, the Congressman also asked the interviewer if he could answer questions in Spanish! Why would a US Congressman, speaking to a non-Spanish speaking reporter want to answer in a language the reporter did not understand? Perhaps Mr. Reyes thinks he's a member of the Mexican Congress. This whole episode is just surreal.

Posted by: Lazarus58 at December 12, 2006 12:40 PM

Why does the average JW reader know much more than the people who should be becomming experts on Islam?

Know your Enemy!

Why is there such resistance to Educating oneself about the greatest threat Western Civilzation has ever faced?

These are the POLICY makers. these are the people who are supposed to make the CORRECT decisions.

The Barbarians are at the Gates....again!

Posted by: Concerned Canadian at December 12, 2006 1:12 PM

Shouldn't this clown be impeached for crass incompetence? And is Pelosi feeling a little bit embarrassed?

Posted by: george_rem at December 12, 2006 2:05 PM

In God's name, what chance do we have of winning the battle for the survival of our civilization when know-nothing twerps like this get to the top?

Posted by: Spirit Of 1683 at December 12, 2006 3:38 PM

A Muslim by any name is a Muslim. They all strive for the end of the non Muslim world. They just may go about it in different ways. They are all dangerous and untrustworthy.

Posted by: exsgtbrown at December 12, 2006 5:16 PM

While Mr. Silvestre Reyes (D) makes great claims based on his role as a Viet Nam vet, and suggests his job in the U.S. Border patrol puts him on the right side, both of History and of the United States of America, he has fought vigorously against legislation since coming to congress which is designed to combat illegal immigration into America across the U.S./Mexico border.

His voting record suggests that such "credentials" are at least suspect vis-a-vis illegal Mexican immigration.

Now we're confronted with the staggering ignorance on the man on the topic ot terrorism and Islam, a man whom Mz. Pelosi (D) chose above Jane Harmon (D) for the chairmanship of this most important committee. So far he's been a complete dud in the Congress, but with new opportunities in the Chairman's seat, he may make some fireworks happen -- Al Qaida fireworks, that is.

What a jerk. And his boss, Mz. Pelosi (D) is a bigger jerk.

Posted by: jsla at December 12, 2006 7:04 PM

It's a pretty sad statement when the people who walk the halls of power have no idea who they are dealing with.

The Al Queda organization is well known by everyone who cares to be Sunni, this is the exact and only reason that Iran does not care if Al Queda is wiped off of the earth. Pakistan (Sunni) on the other side is aiding Al Queda as they are Sunni brothers in the same struggle.

Unbelievable what comes out of the mouths of politicians these days.

Niv

Posted by: The fanatic at December 12, 2006 7:17 PM

Awake, I missed it last night, what happened with Glenn Beck? I love this guy so let me down lightly.

Niv

Posted by: The fanatic at December 12, 2006 7:19 PM

So Nariz, enlighten us. We would like to know all you know.....so have at it.
/instead of the constant name-calling, and insults about intelligence

Posted by: Carolyn2 at December 13, 2006 12:03 AM

Well that should cansume about 3 seconds...if you consider REAL knowledge.
(bzzzzt)
Ok, times up.

As far as the moron chair nominee in DC, just another hint another hit is imminent, they're deaf,dumb and blind...and guarantee the results of such ineptness and incompetance will be their short-lived power base for a long time afterwards at the rate they're going.

Posted by: jcom972 at December 13, 2006 1:04 AM

it is not surprising that the new person in charge of the house in January who has written no real idea about what jihad is about ms Posey Would pick someone who probably before he came to office was a car dealer and should not be in charge of intelligence simply because he has no real idea what's gone on, but that seemed to be the same with most dhimmicrats in Congress don't seem to realize that these jihadist will keep on talking until they are strong enough to take over

Posted by: islamakapigeaters at December 13, 2006 5:51 AM

Mackie: I'm with you on offering the Hon. Mr. Reyes the help of this site and its host (if Robert is willing).

Hugh:
"It would not do, given the policies of that government, to make Americans too aware of the Sunni-Shi'a split..."

Sorry, but I'm not for ignorance. It isn't strength, contrary to what Orwell's "Big Brother" taught.

The solution is for the United States to admit that it cannot guarantee any and all borders save Line Forty-Nine and the Rio Grande; and let radical Muslims do what they do best (kill each other) until the lands from Morocco to Mindanao are ripe for mass conversion to Christianity.

I can understand Reyes' confusion. Ever since the Iranian revolution, there's been a sizeable chunk of educated, elite opinion in the USA which sees Islamic "fundamentalism" (there's no such thing, actually) as a peculiarly Shi'ite disease--and never mind that the late Mohammed Riza Shah Pahlavi, who took seriously his role as defender of the (Ithna'ashariyyah Shi'ite) faith was a friend of the West, recognized Israel, and during his watch, the Shi'ite of southern Lebanon cooperated with the Israelis against the Palestinians.

Indeed, even in our august, ought-to-know-better Department of State, a "Think Paper" once held that there was no danger of "Islamic fundamentalism" (that dear old bogeyman) appearing in Western China because China's Muslims were Sunni rather than Shi'ah--and never mind that this paper appeared at a time when Uighurs were blowing up PLA convoys and assassinating Han settlers in Easter Turkistan; while Hui were burning down CCP headquarters in Qinghai.

Elite America's mindset about traditional religions is still frozen in the 1960's and '70's, with the view that any religion with a hard-edged doctrinal bent is BAD, while fuzzy mystics are GOOD. Hence the finest of Christians are the Quakers (never mind that they're nothing but Leveller and Ranter terrorists who had unhappy run-ins with Cromwell's Ironsides). Hence Hollywood libertines embrace the Dalai Lama, even though his views on extramarital sex and abortion are somewhat to the right of Paul VI. Hence the assumption that Sufi-inspired "Monsoon Islam" is somehow kindly and gentle (never mind the Moro Liberation Front, Aceh rebels, and Sulawesi machete-men). America's elite also continues to believe, against all evidence, that the relativistic, homosexuality-affirming churches of graying heads and dwindling resources are somehow the legitimate heirs of Zwingli, Luther, and Calvin while the Bible-thumpers are some kind of aberration.

The same mindset blissfully refuses to consider that the Evangelical conscience is probably what ultimately brought the Deep South around to accepting Civil Rights for non-Whites and keeps the homeless shelters of America going; calls the bet-hedging [Catholic] Tim McVeigh a Christian fundamentalist terrorist just to "keep things in perspective"; and insists that 30,000,000 Evangelicals are really sharpening their knives and stockpiling grenades in their basements so they can usher in the day when live-boiled liberated lesbian takes the place of ham or poultry on the holiday table.

Unhappily for America, the Democrats are frozen into a vacilation between their ACLU-inspired bigotry against any and all forms of doctrinal theism and the cozy supposition that they jut may be able to return to the easy-going, liberal Protestantism of an early 1960's suburb before the grim reaper comes too close; while the Republicans are frozen into their self-satisfied incuriosity about the rest of the world.

Kepha, with his eyes rolling

Posted by: Kepha at December 13, 2006 7:07 AM