Update: I started the Bandwidth Fund just in time. I’m getting a crazy traffic spike after Polipundit linked. Instapundit isn’t the only game in town!
——–
Do you know why it’s vital to present a united front during wartime? Because our enemies are watching. They don’t respect the Geneva Convention or reason or individual freedom or the countries that uphold such values. While we’re engaged in a politically correct war, the sharp young men of Islamofascism are on top of their game.
We cringe at words like “Islamofacist” and “vanquish the enemy” and “America’s survival”, while the enemies take advantage of the general ignorance and apathy of the American electorate. John Kerry and his minions (ABC, CBS, NYT, Washington Post, etc.) widely reported a now-discredited story about stolen weapons, and our enemies are up to things like this:
The CIA and FBI late Wednesday authenticated a disturbing new al Qaeda videotape which warns the next terror attack will dwarf 9/11.“The streets will run with blood,” and “America will mourn in silence” because they will be unable to count the number of the dead, a man claims on the video.
Further claims on the video: America has brought this on itself for electing George Bush who has made war on Islam by destroying the Taliban and making war on Al Qaeda.
ABCNEWS obtained the tape from a source in Waziristan, Pakistan over the weekend. The network has withheld airing it, initially citing concerns over its authenticity.
One senior federal official alleged ABCNEWS is now holding back from broadcasting any portion of the video out of fear it will be seen as a political move by the network during election week. (My emphasis)
Terrorists campaigning for Kerry. How sweet. With the aid and comfort of the enemy, Kerry stumps while his Islamofacist troops put out videotapes blaming Bush for the slaughter of innocents. Real nice, Johnny K. Johnny Jihad loves you.
Mainstream media haven’t learned a thing from Rathergate. They presented questionable information about stolen weapons in Iraq (from whom did this information come?), insinuating that it’s Bush’s fault, and Kerry uses it in his campaign to blame Bush once again for global terrorism.
ABC and other Kerry campaign outfits disguised as news rooms now admit finding discrepencies in the reports. Could they have been planted by Bush-hating murderers? This is why a united nation during wartime is important. The enemy is always on the hunt for weakness, gullibility and stupidity.
I haven’t followed this story, so I won’t comment further. I’ll direct you to other sources, including bloggers. Meanwhile, it seems that we bloggers are causing hissy fits at the New York Times (registration req.). More on blogger-hating at Michelle Malkin’s.
——–
— The Myth Of The Missing Explosives: A Shameless Lie: New York Post
— Russia tied to Iraq’s missing arms: Washington Times
— Checking for the ‘Error’ in Terror: Washington Post
Bloggers: Wizbang, Power Line, Captain’s Quarters and Evangelical Outpost. See Discriminations’ retort about the missing weapons. More on the videotape from Wizbang.
Update II: I’m posting a link to an entry I wrote about Christians and war. Many people, usually those who don’t study the Bible, incorrectly believe Christians who support war are “anti-Christian.” The post is Onward, Christian Soldiers.
Update II (10/29): INDC Journal and Power Line have the latest on the “missing” explosives.
{ 111 comments }
Lashawn, my initial respect for you is quickly fading due to your tendency to fall into the same old rhetoric. What exactly is “Islamofascism?” Are you telling me that Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein (two, unrelated people, for the record) want(ed) to take over the United States in order to create an Islamic Republic?
Surely you are smart enough not to believe that.
Thank goodness your respect for me, initial or otherwise, is not a requirement for my survival. My contention is that radical Islamists will not cease killing “infidels” until we are converted or dead. That may sound like real simple or even stupid rhetoric to you, but my opinion stands. Does your impending loss of respect mean you won’t pain yourself by reading my blog anymore?
The Islamofascists were successful in Spain but they failed in Australia. Pray to God that Tues they fail in America. Note that even after Spain folded their people are still being killed by Islamofacists. Caving does not work with Islamofascists.
So Justin are you saying that you ONLY have respect for people who know what YOU believe to be true?
Osama and Saddam’s common goal was not to take over the US. The common goal was to destroy the US.
But since you brought up the creation of an Islamic Republic . . . I do believe that on of the goals of these islamic groups it to rid the world of Infidels . . . and Justin unless you are blogging from an Islamic nation, You are an Infidel!
I am waiting for Justin’s blog to update the posts slamming Bush and Rummy for losing the explosives, now that more info has come out. Like the very possible russian involvement, timeline of events and the discrepancies between Iraqi, army and UN figures on how many tons were in the depot, and when.
The longer I wait, the more my respect drops…
Justin,
What fantasy did you pull the Saddam-bin Laden link from? It wan’t in Lashawn’s post, that is for sure…
Or, are you just parrotting the party line, or perhaps falling into the same old rhetoric?
“He was becoming very extreme in his ideas and views. I never thought that he would go to that level.”
That’s what Muzammil Siddiqi says about Adam Gadahn, the American convert to Islam and one of seven suspected Al-Qaeda operatives sought by the FBI.
But Siddiqi, the Executive Director of the Islamic Society of Orange County - Gadahn’s former mosque, is the real extremist. Siddiqi taught regular classes and delivered the weekly Friday afternoon sermons at Gadahn’s mosque. And given his views, it’s no surprise that Gadahn is now suspected of involvement with terrorists.
In 1995, Siddiqi praised jihad and martyrdom in the Kansas City Star. “Those who die on the part of justice are alive, and their place is with [Allah], and they receive the highest position, because this is the highest honor.”
Siddiqi wants the United States to become a Muslim country through “gradual change,” and that shariah (Islamic law) should become our law. “Allah’s rules have to be established in all lands, and all our efforts should lead to that direction,” he wrote in 1996.
straight from one of the islamofascist’s mouths.
No, Lashawn, honey, I’m not going to stop reading your blog. I agree with you on some things, but disagree on many others. It’s no fun blogging with people I always agree with. Mostly, I just consider you a black conservative–not unlike myself. (I consider myslef a moderate–anti-taxes, anti-abortion, pro-business, pro-personal responsibility. However, I’m very anti-Iraq war.) But, at times, like many black Republicans, you clearly pander to white racists, like your article about MLK’s “dream.” You were stretching on that one and I thought it was one of your worst writings. You obviously know little about King, who, as someone who opposed all violence, was a REAL Christian.
Is it really realistic to think that people from the Arab world are going to take over America, with all of our military might? Come on, people. That’s not going to happen. Get real. It’s about natural resources. Period.
Lastly, about my blog, it is just starting. And with regard to the weapons story that I posted blasting Bush and Rummie, what is your specific beef, SCSIwuzzy?
I think it’s difficult for a lot of people like Justin to comprehend the true depth of hatred that radical Islamic terrorists organizations have, not just for America, but for everyone who isn’t like them. Listen to some of the rhetoric they put out. This stuff sounds like anything that could have come from Hitler, Stalin, or the Grand Imperial Wizard at the height of their power. This is, pure and simple, hatred of any and all things that don’t square with their version of Islam. It’s racism, bigotry, and a call for genocide of the worst sort. We need to realize that this is not a war about George Bush or U.S. foreign policy. To the jihadists, this is a holy war against the freedom and secularism that Americans, and all free nations, have fought for.
testing… did i get banned? my last post didn’t show…
Your comment got stuck in the spam filter for some reason, Justin. Contrary to what many think, I don’t ban people simply because they disagree with me. It’s being disrespected that gets under my skin. You don’t have to respect me in real life, just on the blog.
Lashawn, I enjoy your blog–I just don’t agree with you on everything. That’s not a crime–yet. I like your writing, and I agree with you on many things (abortion, taxes, personal responsibility). I just think you sometimes pander to white racists–like in your article about MLK’s “Dream.” I’m so tired of black Republicans talking about the “Dream.” That is the sanitized MLK. But I digress…
Regarding so-called “Islamofascism,” I don’t care what some lone nut says, Muslims will not take over the U.S. His rhetoric is as pitiful as some of yours. Americans claim that “they” hate “us.” The truth of the matter is that the hate goes both ways. The U.S. gov’t, over the years, has done a lot to harm the Arab world (Israeli-apartheid policies, propping up dictators like Mbarak, the Shah, Saudi Royals), and it’s not “un-patriotic” or “un-American” of me to say so. So you so-called Christians are full of hate and a lust for war just as they are.
The fact that I may be considered an infidel in Iraq does not alarm me.
And, as for my blog, what is the specific beef with what I posted? The fact of the matter is that weapons are missing because they weren’t guarded. Period.
Refer Justin to the comments that link all of the Islamofacists at creating a new Caliphate and/or Andalusia. Saddam and UBL should be considered one and the same, just because their tactics were, initially, different, there goal is the same. As another commenter put it: destroy the West and the US in particular. One would use the other to gain ultimate advantage toward success in their goal.
Justin - Obviously, agreeing with “everything” is not a requirement for commenting. Otherwise, I’d be in here by myself. Your getting close to the edge with the “pandering” and “pitiful” comments, though. Advice: You should refrain from directing comments toward me and focus on the commenters. Keep the sarcasm to a minimum (when addressing me), and all will be well.
Justin,
Real Christian! What, I guess the words kind of got mixed up while King was committing adultery on the side. All of that time spent on the road fighting whitey made him a bit lonely?
From the fruti that LaShawn has shown, I’d say she has some light showing. Please, refrain from trying to make the veiled digs at our wonderful hostess Justin.
As for agreeing or disagreeing with someone, there is nothing wrong with doing so. I have disagreements with some of what Rush has to say on the radio at times, but I still listen(14 years) and love his insight.
Real Christian! Would put a mean face on here but I don’t know how.
Justin,
No beef, just joshing you along the lines you were joshing LB for. Making the point, perhaps obliquely, that you too seem to just following the party line.
“What exactly is ‘Islamofascism?’”
If that’s a serious inquiry as opposed to repeating something you read on someone else’s blog in order to sound condescending toward La Shawn (you succeeded), then plug the word into Google, search it, then read the Christopher Hitchens articles on http://www.rcn.com to which you’ll be referred. Also, read Daniel Pipes’s “Militant Islam Reaches America” for a discussion of his use of the word “Islamism” to mean the same thing. It’s not a difficult concept to understand.
Justin: “The fact of the matter is that weapons are missing because they weren’t guarded. Period.”
Actually, the fact of the matter is that the weapons went missing quite some time before the U.S. invaded Iraq. It seems most likely now that those explosives were moved when Saddam realized we actually were gearing up for war, as such a weapons depot would make a juicy target for a cruise missile. The fact of the matter is that the news story you cite on your blog has been discredited, and that Kerry and the Dems are looking pretty foolish for having accused Bush and our military in Iraq of failing to stop something they would have needed a *time machine* to stop.
Just so you know.
Back to the original comments about Islamofasict. I too discuss these individuals on my blog. These terrorist are fighting a religious war against us. There is no bargaining with them; Spain is finding out the hard way. After Madrid, they(the Spaniards) pulled out of Iraq and the terrorist are still on their tails like wolves. So where is the room for compromise? There is none.
President has to win this election. With little concern for another four years, he will have the opportunity to take the fight fully to the insurgents.
Fanatical Islam is the scourge to our society today, just as Nazism was sixty years ago and Communisim was over the last fifty years. Justin, these are times of no return. Its high time that we think with a Sept 12 mentality; your thinking is still Sept 10. We must fight!
Justin,
I agree with you man. We have the greatest military there is.
But does that fact stop people from wanting to destroy us?
Did having the most powerful fighting assets in the world stop the events of 9/11?
Is it naive for us to think that just because we have that might (military, financial, resources) that folks wouldn’t try to take it? And that we better defend it?
I’m really interested in hearing what ’should’ have been done with Iraq. Or how the war could have been better executed.
There is another point I want to agree with you on. It was about the oil resources - that’s why France, Germany, Russia, and the UN let Saddam get away with so much. That’s why France, Germany, and Russia chose not to join us. They weren’t willing to bite the hand that was feeding them.
I joined the United States Marine Corps 19 years ago today. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that their were individuals who did not think America was a noble country. So me a nation of any distinction that has not had a checkered past at some point and I will show you Utopia. That being said,Al Qaeda and the Islamofascist(just learned how to do some HTML so I am practicing my boldtype
)are full square against our(America and the West for that matter) existence.
I call this total war. We as a nation must have one mind, one belief and one goal: to rid our society of the extreme individuals who wish to do us ill. There isn’t any turning back. Something to think about Justin and others who think in the same manner.
I see many Lib who believe the way that Justin does, get their frame of mind that all ideas and motives in the marketplace of thought have the same value. Thus radical Islam can coexist with liberty and freedom. Well, I disagree. Our pluralistic society and their seventh Century way of life DO NOT coincide.
LaShawn, I think that I am going to have to chip in the kitty to help defray the bandwidth.
Justin,
Here’s a question for you. When the UN inspectors go into a country and tag items that have been cataloged, who’s responsible for guarding them?
Oh and another thing - taking over a country can happen in a lot of different ways or combination of ways.
Remember how a Komodo Dragon kills its prey? Something to think about.
Also, you’re not just an infidel in Iraq. We have Islamic extremist here in this country, probably some in your state that are sworn to destroy you and your family (Infidels that you are
)
JJ
Thank you, John, for pointing out that bloody-thirsty terrorists are right here in our own country. That’s owed in part to our lax immigration enforcement and politically correct mishandling of legitimate racial profiling.
Hmmm I’ve GOT to learn how to do that html stuff!
I don’t agree that the missing explosives story has been discredited. The amount of spin and counter-stories has certainly been confusing, but,
From the NY Times today:
The accounts do not directly address the question of when 380 tons of powerful conventional explosives vanished from the site sometime after early March, the last time international inspectors checked the seals on the bunkers where the material was stored. It is possible that Iraqi forces removed some explosives before the invasion.
But the accounts make clear that what set off much if not all of the looting was the arrival and swift departure of American troops, who did not secure the site after inducing the Iraqi forces to abandon it.
“The looting started after the collapse of the regime,” said Wathiq al-Dulaimi, a regional security chief, who was based nearby in Latifiya. But once it had begun, he said, the booty streamed toward Baghdad
You guys are an interesting bunch!! Lashawn, I’ll lay off the harsh language. It’s your spot. (See, I’m not a bad guy after all!!)
JCJ–I agree that the U.S. should defend itself against terrorism. I have no problem with that–that’s why I supported the invasion of Afgh. The Iraq war, however, was conducted for different reasons, which has been demostrated by Bush’s shifting rationales for the war. But no need to get back into that.
Dominic–your stuff about MLK is a red herring that I won’t address.
In any case, the problem in America, IMO, is that we are so FEARFUL of not only Arab countried, but now we are scared of THE ENTIRE WORLD. We hate Europe now too. Bush allowed OBL to isolate America. Should have been reversed. America should have isolated OBL. Now our allies don’t support us. “If your allies aren’t on your side, you’re probably not thinking correctly.”
Oh sorry, I also meant to say, that I don’t understand why you think that Kerry is somehow employing these terrorists? Your quote:
“Terrorists campaigning for Kerry. How sweet. With the aid and comfort of the enemy, Kerry stumps while his Islamofacist troops are put out videotapes blaming Bush for the slaughter of innocents. Real nice, Johnny K. Johnny Jihad loves you.
How are they “his troops”? I don’t see how he can be held responsible for what they say. The terrorists are just trying to manipulate us.
You’re quite interesting yourself, Justin.
La Shawn,
Great blog, glad you’re at it again, writing from the heart with a clear thinking head. The fact that you have a Christian heart is self-evident in your discourse, those who doubt it need to pray before speaking.
from the Qu’ran 47:1-6
Those who disbelieve and obstruct Allah’s Way, He will render their deeds
fruitless.[1] As for those who believe and do good deeds and believe in what is
revealed to Muhammad - the truth from their Lord - He will remove from them their
evils and improve their condition.[2] This is because the unbelievers follow
falsehood, while the believers follow the truth from their Lord. Thus, Allah cites their
similitudes for mankind.[3] 47:[1-3]
Therefore, when you meet the unbelievers in the battlefield smite their necks and,
when you have thoroughly subdued them, then take prisoners of war and bind them
firmly. After the war lays down her burdens, then you have the choice whether you
show them favor or accept ransom. Thus are you commanded. If Allah wanted, He
Himself could have punished them; but He adopted this way so that He may test
some of you by means of others. As for those who are slain in the cause of Allah, He
will never let their deeds be lost.[4] Soon He will guide them, improve their
condition[5] and admit them to the paradise which He has announced for them.[6]
47:[4-6]
sound familiar?
Justin,
You state that our allies are not with us? Who?
Over the course of history allies change. does it matter that we lose certain allies? Maybe we gain new ones?
You refer to the US being afraid of the ENTIRE WORLD, would you please provide clarification?
Are we fearful of Canada? Australia? UK? Taiwan?
Habitatgirl: Yes the terrorists are trying to manipulate us. They want nothing more than Kerry to win the election.
Habitatgirl,
Ok What’s the likelihood that 380 tons of explosive just disappear in broad daylight with the US troops in the area. Do you see the silliness of the argument? This is a non story.
test
Hey Ernest, I could point to the fact that David collected the foreskins of men to say that all Christians or Jews are evil, but that wouldn’t make any sense, now would it?? Or I could point to passages in the Bible that seem to justify slavery and say that Christianity is evil, huh?
Religion often blinds people and makes them fearful, huh?
JCJ–we are missing several important allies in Iraq–France, Germany and Spain to name a few. So suddenly its now infantile stuff like “freedom fries.” How childish. And yes, having them there would help–a lot. Taxpayers are paying for the whole Iraq war. (Wait, I thought the Iraqi oil was supposed to pay for it?? What ever happened to THAT claim??) Bet you bought it hook, line and sinker, huh? Tell the truth.
Mr. James: No one has really answered my question. How do you hold Kerry responsible for the statements of the terrorists, or claim that they are “his troops”?
Mr. Dominic: The news stories state that the explosives appear to have disappeared AFTER the troops had left the area, and left it unsecured. I’m not saying I know what happened, I’m saying that no one seems to. The last thing I read was the Giuliana was saying it was the troops fault. How could it be their fault if it never happened? And why have there been so many claims and counter-claims about what happened from the administration?
I’m just confused.
Theres nothing ‘politically correct’ about this war. Let us not forget that the Geneva convention has been broken by the coalition also.
Also, i saw no mention of Kerry in the said video…..Its pretty clutching at straws thinking here. If you think John Kerry is on the same level as conservative Islamic fundamentalists, then thats fair enough.
Would this be a good time to bring up Iran and Saudi Arabia endorsing the re-election of Bush?
In regards to the stolen weapons - this is a very shady issue. The weapons were certainly still in Iraq at the date of the Coalition invasion, March 20th.
Perhaps I can clear up some of the confusion. In my view, in wartime it is astoundingly suicidal and dangerous for the rest of us for John Kerry to “feed” terrorists with such pointed and inaccurate criticism of Bush.
We’re all in this together, whether you support the war or not. Terrorists are itching…no, salivating, for reasons to confuse the issue: that they are blood-thirsty thugs intent on killing no matter the reason. By using this report, true or false, in his campaign AND blaming Bush for the missing weapons is like fodder for these criminals. It just encourages them to kill more people and release more tapes blaming their murderous and barbaric acts on Bush. AND KERRY KNOWS IT. Come on!
Ms. Habitatgirl: Would you say that if me and my associates backed President Bush (which we do!)that we are his “troops”?
Have you come to a conclusion as to why the enemy so strongly wants John Kerry to win?
If you think your confused now, wait till you see the confusion with a Kerry/Edwards admin.
Yikes!
Well, I don’t think it’s realistic to expect Kerry to run against Bush without criticizing him pointedly. And I think the accuracy of the criticisms is still to be determined. Are you saying we should have cancelled the election?
Mr. James, I guess it’s a fine semantic line. Saying that the terrorists support him seems slightly different from saying they are “his troops”. To me, that implies that he directs their activities somehow, which I think is not a reasonable statement. A minor point, but it caught my eye obviously.
I of course can claim no knowledge of why the terrorists behave as they do. I’m sure they dislike Bush, but if Kerry is elected, I’m sure they’ll try to undermine him in the same sort of way. I don’t think who the president is matters to them that much, actually. But of course, I’m just guessing.
Justin…America isolated??…give me a break, ever hear of the global economy, ever hear of the 36 other nations supporting us in iraq, ever hear of iraq debt to the world being 90% forgiven, just because the French don’t support us, doesn’t mean we are isolated.
And thats not to belittle to the French, i respect their decision, with such a high muslim population, they don’t want bus bombs blowing up in their country. Germany is supporting us in Afghanistan, and Russian Vladmir is practically endorsing Bush.
Yeah but what about Kyote, what about international Hague, what about the UN you might be thinking
Kyote, won’t solve any problems when it excludes China and India from reducing CO2 emmissions
World Court, would be suicide bombers haven’t commited a crime yet, so holding them in Camp X-ray would be nigh-oh-impossible with the international community on our back
UN, i could just mention Rwanda, but thats too simple…lets look at Kosovo, 5 years later after the bombing, Kosovo still can’t put together elections..and the place is the size of Long Island. Iraq is on pace for election practically 2 years afterwards despite being the size of California
now i’m tired..i’m gonna take a nap
Come on, Jim. Did you really think you’d get on my blog with this racist junk? I don’t know why you liberals presume you can offend me and expect to comment on this blog. Somebody needs to write a dissertation on why people can’t stay away from sites they find disgusting. In a million years, I’ll never understand it. You hate me, hate the blog, yet you read it, insult me, and then keep coming back! Don’t you have ANYTHING better to do? - Admin
Kerry is using the report, im sure Bush would in the same situation. Kerry didnt bring the scandal to light though.
If it did happen as said, which in all likelyhood it did….in all fairness it is the fault of the US military, not Bush personally.
Dear Ms Barber, I liked your post very much. It is the first time I have visited your site, thank you.
As for Justin, he certainly has the right to voice his opinion, however poorly he chooses to do so. But the most telling comment he made was when he tried to infer that someone was a ‘real Christian’ and, implicitly, that someone was not. Only a weak person would use this kind of tactic.
Now I would point out that I am a pagan seeking the truth, but I know enough about Christianity to understand that the only real Christian is Jesus Christ…..the rest of us only aspire to that goal.
Kenny,
So an endorsement from Putin is supposed to be a good thing? Putin has rescinded the power of the Russian people to vote for their Governors, and, in a few years, you’ll see that he will suspend elections for the Presidency. He is the new dictator, so his endorsement is a NEGATIVE to people that admire democracy and freedom.
And, the 236 nations with troops in iraq amount to almost nothing when you look at overall troop levels. Maybe you’re tired due to all that ’spinning.’
Under Lashawn’s scenario, Kerry would have to totally ignore differences of opinion on terrorism in this campaign. He should just say, “me too” on everything. That’s totally implausible. It’s not unpatriotic to say the war is not going well. Half of America agrees with him. We are not all in this.
And, other than pure rhetoric, I’ve never heard of one specific example of how pointing out our mistakes in Iraq emboldens terrorists. They’ve been emboldened plenty by our trading “oil for food” for a decade.
this may interest somebody.
“But the confidential IAEA documents obtained by ABC News show that on Jan. 14, 2003, the agency’s inspectors recorded that just over three tons of RDX were stored at the facility � a considerable discrepancy from what the Iraqis reported.”
from this url
http://www.abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=204304&page=1
and let’s point out that ABC refused to put the terror-ad on air because it would show that terrorists endorse kerry.
re: Justin:
“Hey Ernest, I could point to the fact that David collected the foreskins of men to say that all Christians or Jews are evil, but that wouldn’t make any sense, now would it?? Or I could point to passages in the Bible that seem to justify slavery and say that Christianity is evil, huh?”
that’s absolutely true, Justin - non-believers very often “pick & choose” verses from the Bible to make a point about God or Jesus.
so find me a passage from the Qu’ran at least similar to what Jesus said in Matthew:
Mat 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ (44) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…
Lil’ J just wants traffic for his weak blog, that’s all.
I keep wondering, with all the things that can be said of Kerry and be true, I mean the negatives, the only thing folks keep saying about President Bush is Iraq War. Yes some mention social security, which has been in trouble for years (much before President Bush took office), and the economy which most things have been disproven, but mostly I hear Iraq
Give me a conservative faith based President, who understands what murder is, in any and all forms, knows what God writes and doesn’t just say he thinks this or that anyday. One who will stand up for us, and stop our enemies before they bomb our schools.
I read much online everyday, at my own web site I insist that what is posted can be proven by more than one source, and if I find an error, I correct it, even if it supports Kerry. I keep looking for something nice to say, something comendable, so far I have found nothing.
President Bush is not perfect, but he doesn’t claim he is either, he doesn’t claim he makes no errors. Kerry keeps saying he did or he will continue to, but he never has told us just exactly what he himself will do differently.
Some one either here or elsewhere called him an armchair general…. and said he isnt doing well at it.
How very true.
I have asked the folks on my site to pray for our country, our leader everyday at 1 pm.
I am not the brightest person on the planet, I am a simple christian country mom, so I know my thoughts may not count for much, but I had to say someting. La Shawn is a very talented young lady, and I read her posts several times a day. Keep up the good work!
Hey Violent Kitten (whatever that is), my blog started on Monday. Get over it. If you didn’t click on my name to learn more about me, it wouldn’t concern you.
Ernest, I don’t read the Qu’uran. I’m not a Muslim, or a Christian for that matter. So why don’t YOU find me a quote. I think what Jesus said in Matthew was beautiful. I wish all of of lived by it, but almost none of us do.
I have no problem with Christianity, Islam or any other religion. I think people that hate others of different faiths are not true believers themselves. Many claim to be Christians, yet support violence and war. Last time I checked, Jesus never endorsed war.
Justin - I’m going to update this post just for you. I blogged about Christians and war. Instead of reinventing the microchip, I’ll direct you to the post. Nowhere does the Bible state that Christians cannot engage in warfare. In fact, it is the government’s God-ordained duty to protect the state, and Christians are not biblically prohibited from joining armies. Did you know that? Have you ever read the Bible?
again, you’re absolutely right - Jesus never endorsed war, or fighting - quite the opposite. But my original point stands - Islam is as much a religion based on vengeance and hatred as Christianity is based on love and peace and “loving your neighbor.” And yes, a lot of Christians don’t follow that 100%, but we try.
But all Muslims follow the Qu’ran. Here’s a verse about love:
It may well be that Allah will put love between you and those with whom you are now
at odds because of the order which is given to you, for Allah is All-Powerful, and
Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.[7] Allah does not forbid you to be kind and
equitable to those who had neither fought against your faith nor driven you out of
your homes. In fact Allah loves the equitable.[8] Allah only forbids you to make
friendship with those who fought you on account of your faith and drove you out of
your homes and backed up others in your expulsion. Those who will take them for
friends are indeed the wrongdoers.[9] 60:[7-9]
ElMariachi said: “Theres nothing ‘politically correct’ about this war. Let us not forget that the Geneva convention has been broken by the coalition also.”
Please cite the specific paragraphs in the Geneva Conventions that were violated by us as a matter of policy? By that I mean chapter and verse and not what others have claimed — it is all online for anyone to read for themselves.
Please don’t include Abu Ghraib, since that was individuals acting out their debased fantasies and not carrying out orders. And they are being/will be punished
Habitatgirl said: “I don’t agree that the missing explosives story has been discredited. The amount of spin and counter-stories has certainly been confusing, but…”
AND
“I’m just confused.”
Have you followed the Links and Bloggers that La Shawn provided under her article? If you do, it should clear up a lot of your questions in greater detail with specific citations and additional references to credible sources. It will open your eyes.
Much of what La Shawn is commenting on is by reference assuming that we have read the supporting sources.
Justin, tell us, who made this comment in 1998:
“Islam isn’t in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Koran should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on earth.”
Lashawn, thank you and keep connecting those dots!
Folks,
Come on! The so-called “scandal” of the missing explosives just doesn’t pass the common-sense test. Do you think someone sneaked 150 deuce-and-a-halfs along with assorted cranes, forklifts, and wreckers into the site, and ripped off 380 tons of cargo? Do you think they used a couple of choo-choo trains, and tore up the tracks later? Did they dig a canal, bring in a ship to secrete the explosives, and fill in the canal later. Each scenario in equally implausible.
As to the Kerry-connection, it is not surprising that our adversaries support him. His history is one of providing aid and comfort to America’s enemies since 1971.
Justin, in addition to what I wrote to Habitatgirl, you should check out the Belmont Club.
Wretchard has written a series of excellent posts about what history has to tell us with regards to sKerry’s disgraceful campaign tactics and the very real threat of Islamofacism, directly and indirectly upon America and the rest of the West. I highly recommend that you check it out since he addresses 90% of your recycled spin. I, and most of the regulars here, would then be interested in your comments, if and when you can debunk his website at belmontclub.blogspot.com.
I’m not interested in anything sKerry has to say, especially since 2 days after the 380 tons of WMD started falling apart, he is today still talking in terms of Monday’s original report and pretending that everything else is just part of the VRWC spin machine.
This clown is driven by nothing but the overriding personal desire to be Somebody, anybody but plain old sKerry. He’s done nothing for 30 years , what is it about the Oval Office that will make any difference now?
Lashawn, admit it, I’m the best thing goin’ today!
Controversial yet so well-informed! 
You know you love it!
I’ve never heard that Christians can engage in warfare. I’ve read most of the Bible, but not all of it. I enjoy it and find it comforting. I believe government and religion should be completely separate.
I really want to get away from this Christian/Muslim mud-slinging. I think it’s ugly and unnecessary. The US “war against terror” and OBL’s “fatwa” against the US are not really a religious issues, though both groups claim they are. In fact, this whole thing is an economic issue. The crux of the conflict is the oil that lies in that region of the world. If it weren’t there, we wouldn’t want it for our SUVs. If we didn’t want it, we wouldn’t have had our Army in Saudi Arabia during the 90s or in Iraq today. And we wouldn’t support Ariel Sharon’s insane South African-style apartheid tactics.
Debra, I have no idea who made that comment, and it really doesn’t concern me. Who was it, John Kerry????
For anyone that doubts the Islamofascist’s third attempt to rule the world should try Googling “THE CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS AND THE GREAT CALIPHATE”
Also, I received this the other day about a prison evangelist:
=====================
Allah or Jesus? By Rick Mathes
Last month I attended my annual training session that’s required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths who explained their belief systems.
I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video. After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers. When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Islam and asked: “Please, correct me if I’m wrong, but I understand that most Islams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world. And, that by killing an infidel, which is a command to all Muslims, they are assured of a place in heaven. If that’s the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?”
There was no disagreement with my statements and without hesitation he replied, “Non-believers!”
I responded, “So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can go to Heaven. Is that correct?”
The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He sheepishly replied, “Yes.”
I then stated, “Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Pat Robertson, Dr. Stanley, or Billy Graham ordering Protestants to do the same in order to go to Heaven!”
The Imam was speechless. I continued, “I also have problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me. Let me ask you a question. Would you rather have your Allah who tells you to kill me in order to go to Heaven or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to Heaven and want you to be with me?”
You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame.
Chuck Colson once told me something that has sustained me these 20 years of prison ministry. He said to me, “Rick, remember that the truth will prevail.” And it will!
La Shawn, you tell it! That was an excellent post and as I have not been able to read much news/blogs today I really appreciate the excellent links. I’ve sent your post around to everyone I know. Well done!
Justin said:”I’ve never heard that Christians can engage in warfare. I’ve read most of the Bible, but not all of it. I enjoy it and find it comforting. I believe government and religion should be completely separate.”
So far, you’ve only been repeating the talking points of Saint sKerry, the Immaculate Healer and Fix-It Man of International Intrigue & Renown.
I’m beginning to think you’re a troll posing as a Christian. You’re claiming what you would like to believe about Biblical doctrines, yet you haven’t provided any citations.
If you’re serious, then you need to spend more time in the archives, not only here but at other referenced links so that if nothing else, you at least know where most of us are coming from — and certainly m,ore time on reading up on the rest of the Bible.
From the personal memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant:
“Experience proves that the man who obstructs a war in which his nation is engaged, no matter whether right or wrong, occupies no enviable place in life or history. Better for him, individually, to advocate ‘war, pestilence, and famine’ than to act as obstructionist to a war already begun. The history of the defeated rebel will be honorable hereafter, compared with that of the Northern man who aided him by conspiring against his government while protected by it. The most favorable posthumous history the stay-at-home traitor can hope for is - oblivion.”
Summary: Wars are political material ‘before’ they are declared and ‘after’ they are won. Never during when your countries soldiers are in it.
Thanks for the comments, everyone!
Justin - Controversial, yes. It’s part of the reason I allow dissenters. Too bad most forget their home-training when they come on to my blog.
Well-informed? The government/religion dichotomy is a false one. While we are to render unto Caesar, a Christian’s faith defines who he is. He lives a life in submission to Christ. In that regard, he makes decisions according to his faith. Separation of church and state has been misunderstood, and I will not continue to perpetrate a fraud and separate my faith from my politics, as liberals and a few Christians suggest I do.
By the way, Justin, did you read the post I linked to in Update II? Read “Onward, Christian Soldiers.”
Haha, the guy is either lying, or the Imam was a nutcase.
The statement about ‘most’ imam’s and cleric’s declaring a ‘jihad’ is utter garbage. These people are a MINORITY. I should of just stopped reading at that point.
My how times have changed, analogy compliments of James Lileks Lileks.Com:
“Imagine FDR running a war with a press composed of cynical snickerers who derided the president as a rich old cripple who thought the best way to defeat Tojo was a war in North Africa and preached defeat every day through the hard slog of the Pacific theater. Imagine running a war with an entertainment industry that declined to make a single movie about the conflict - why, imagine a “Casablanca” where Rick and Sam argue about whether America started it all because they didn’t support the League of Nations. Imagine a popular radio drama running through the early 40s about a smart, charismatic, oh-so-intellectual Republican president whose bourbon baritone mocked FDR’s patrician whine, a leader who took no guff from Stalin OR Hitler! Lux Soap brings you, The West Wing of the White House! Imagine Thomas Dewey’s wife in 1944 callling the WW2 a war for oil; imagine former vice presidents insisting that FDR had played on our fears after Pearl Harbor. Imagine all that.”
So you deny the havoc a “minority” can wreak? I guess the families of the people who perished in the Towers would feel better about that. This “minority” has been fighting its neighbors for centuries. And this “minority” has caused terror alerts to go up all over the world.
This “minority” is cutting off heads and sending out videotapes. The whole planet is on alert! Look at what a “minority” has done already. Are you kidding me?
This forum is too much! Lashawn, I didn’t see your link. I’ll check it out. I gotta get on a plan in a little while though…
I think it’s impossible to argue politics when your opponent is arguing based on religion. Like, if I’m debating Alan Keyes and he says, “God ordained the war in Iraq!” What can I say to that??
Jim R. Ulysses Grant was a great warrior, but he was also known as wasteful and careless with his soldiers, which might explain a little why he felt the way he did…
ElMariachi, you can laugh all you want, I just hope you don’t end up like the grasshopper who scoffed at the ants preparing for winter.
At least if you’re here in the States, you can rest assured that others will be doing their utmost to protect you, even at the cost of their life while you carry on your naive and merry way. See you around when you’ve matured and a bit wiser.
Justin, come on. Saying that “God told me to do!” is not what I’m talking about, and you should know that. If we’re going to discuss things here, you must be reasonable. In fact, let’s not even use the word “religion.” Evolutionism is a religion. Secular Humanism is a religion. I’m talking about faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. A believer can allow his faith to guide his life without going to the extreme you suggest. Why do I feel like this is pointless?
I’m going to eat and wait for “CSI.”
Because it is, you’re merely feeding a humongous ego at this point.
Yeah. Me too Lashawn. I’m just gonna’ gnaw my own arm off.
Lashawn, I respect and admire your faith. Period.
dukeblondie - Welcome to the blog! I’ll be sure to check out your site, too.
RAT BOY SHOULD HANG!!!
Fine post, La Shawn. The Anchoress sent me here. Nice blog!
Justin implicitly denies the threat of asymmetrical warfare & the globally destabilizing, gradually but inevitably accelerative advance in the general development - in power, accessibility, miniaturization, coverability of tracks, deadly combinations, etc. - of technologies adaptable for mass destruction for the ends of cranky despots & terrorist & destructionist subcultures. The 20th Century might as well have been a millennium ago. And decidedly finite are our windows of opportunity to respond to the gathering threats without causing collateral mass horror.
Cheek to cheek & jowl to jowl with Pat Buchanan, Justin sings that old Tull tune We’ll go walking out while others shout of war’s disaster oh, we won’t give in, let’s go living in the past let us close out eyes outside their lives go on much faster oh, we won’t give in we’ll keep living in the past.
Underneath which intellectual corruption, one glimpses an anger at the USA for hindering the destruction of Islamic civilization. After all, subjected to increased mass-destructive terrorism, what would places like Europe, Russia, & China do? What sort of “sensitive” warfare could they possibly wage? Only the USA has been able to do that.
Geez louise…..uh, Joshua. Can we have a smiley at the end of that one. :-}
Since this is a Christian site you guys should put “NEW WORLD ORDER” and “ONE WORLD RELIGION” in a search engine and you will find startling information.
Sounds we are all out to lunch for awhile La Shawn.
La Shawn,
I have read and appreciated articles on townhall.com. If the people behind this are rich and white, so be it. The articles are written by conservatives, both male and female, black and white, and Christian (various types) and Jewish. Thomas Sowell and Walter E. Williams are PhD’s in economics. Only recently did I read that Thomas Sowell is a high school dropout who fought in the marines in Korea. I remember the beginning of Korea. There are no human beings that are perfect except Jesus who was human and divine according to Christian teachings. If you try to make Abraham Lincoln or Martin Luther King, Jr. more than human, you are doing them a disservice. I heard MLK speak a month or two before he was killed. This was a friendly gathering and he spoke without strain in his voice. His famous speeches seemed like he was shouting! His voice without cameras and microphones is far better than anything I have seen on TV. Yes, I was far from being a teenager at that time. LB your heart and mind are good and should be heard!
JMB
LaShawn..this was an article written by a political science professor from Washington. It certainly sums up my feelings.
Daily Record (Ellensburg, Washington),Wed., Oct. 6, 2004.
Written by Mathew Manweller, a Central Washington University political science professor.
Election determines fate of nation In that this will be my last column before the presidential election there will be no sarcasm, no attempts at witty repartee. The topic is too serious, and the stakes are too high. This November we will vote in the only election during our lifetime that will truly matter. Because America is at a once-in-a-generation crossroads, more than an election hangs in the balance. Down one path lies retreat, abdication and a reign of ambivalence. Down the other lies a nation that is aware of its past and accepts the daunting obligation its future demands. If we choose poorly, the consequences will echo through the next 50 years of history.
If we, in a spasm of frustration, turn out the current occupant of the White House, the message to the world and ourselves will be twofold.
First, we will reject the notion that America can do big things. Once a nation that tamed a frontier, stood down the Nazis and stood upon the moon, we will announce to the world that bringing democracy to the Middle East is too big of a task for us. But more significantly, we will signal to future presidents that as voters, we are unwilling to tackle difficult challenges, preferring caution to boldness, embracing the mediocrity that has characterized other civilizations.
The defeat of President Bush will send a chilling message to future presidents who may need to make difficult, yet unpopular decisions. America has always been a nation that rises to the demands of history regardless of the costs or appeal. If we turn away from that legacy, we turn away from who we are.
Second, we inform every terrorist organization on the globe that the lesson of Somalia was well learned. In Somalia we showed terrorists that you don’t need to defeat America on the battlefield when you can defeat them in the newsroom. They learned that a wounded America can become a defeated America. Twenty-four-hour news stations and daily tracing polls will do the heavy lifting, turning a cut into a fatal blow. Except that Iraq is Somalia times 10.
The election of John Kerry will serve notice to every terrorist in every cave that the soft underbelly of American power is the timidity of American voters. Terrorists will know that a steady stream of grizzly photos for CNN is all you need to break the will of the American people.
Our own self-doubt will take it from there. Bin Laden will recognize that he can topple any American administration without setting foot on the homeland.
It is said that America’s WW II generation is its “greatest generation.” But my greatest fear is that it will become known as America’s “last generation”. Born in the bleakness of the Great Depression and hardened in the fire of WW II, they may be the last American generation that understands the meaning of duty, honor and sacrifice. It is difficult to admit, but I know these terms are spoken with only hollow detachment by many (but not all) in my generation. Too many citizens today mistake “living in America” as “being an American”. But America has always been more of an idea than a place.
When you sign on, you do more than buy real estate. You accept a set of values and responsibilities.
This November, my generation, which has been absent too long, must grasp the obligation that comes with being an American, or fade into the oblivion they may deserve. I believe that 100 years from now historians will look back at the election of 2004 and see it as the decisive election of our century. Depending on the outcome, they will describe it as the moment America joined the ranks of ordinary nations; or they will describe it as the moment the prodigal sons and daughters of the greatest generation accepted their burden as caretakers of the City on the Hill.
Good points, LaShawn.
Fortunately, I think we can beat the terrorists with one arm tied behind our back. We’ll have to because the Democratic party is determined to be the arm permanently tied behind our back.
Excellent, La Shawn. You are now in my Favorites section. As Arnold says, “I’ll be back”.
When did i deny a minority couldnt wreak havoc? A Christian minority
can also wreak havoc, as can an American minority for that matter.
No matter how much everyday Muslims speak up against the terrorists
tarnishing their name, people still go out of their way to take cheap
swipes at the religion they follow.
Andy, nobody is ‘defending’ me. The brave troops in Iraq are doing
their duty, and some pay the ultimate price for this. However, its
certainly not for our defence.
Tae,
Again, I ask, why do you think a vote for Kerry will ‘increase’ the peace?
And exactly what do you mean by increase the peace?
Do you feel the US should stop fighting and just react after an incident?
How vocal have you been in denouncing radical Islamic terrorist?
What, my manners? Its ok for Andy to make a personal attack on me. Hes not a ‘liberal.’
I thought your comment was directed toward me. While I don’t like for commenters to call each other names, I try not to censor unless the person’s calling me names. I will restore.
ElMariachi, you may not think that they’re defending you, but ask any troop and the majority will tell you that they are engaging the enemy there on your behalf so that we don’t have to pick up the pieces of you, yours and ours here.
If that is incorrect, I guess you better tell them to stop and pullout ASAP, but don’t look for them to come pick up your pieces here if they do follow your wisdom.
Andy - Iraq had nothing to do with the attacks on America. Ergo, invading Iraq was NOT a defensive action. If anything, i feel more at risk than i did in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. The coalition invasion of Iraq, as a bi-product has created a whole new wave of people angry at the West, and in particular the US. With Iraqi civilians dying daily, along with the US troops, i dont think is hard to understand.
ElMariachi, since it’s your feelings that are at risk here, let’s talk about that. People often feel one thing or another that may have no bearing on reality, bcause they fail to see the big picture. So let’s take a trip in the way back machine and riddle me this.
On 7 Dec 41, Japan attacked us at Pearl Harbor, killing 2 thousand plus and destroying many of our civilian and military assets. Why did FDR decide go on the offense against Germany/Italy by going to North Africa?
This was over the objections of some Generals and many in the legislative branch. But President Roosevelt had a strategic vision. He recognized that attacking an innocent nation formally at peace with the United States was necessary to winning the broader war against Fascism.
Franklin Roosevelt and John Kerry have a lot in common: opportunistic, duplicitious, big-government Northeasterners naively supportive of the United Nations. The crucial difference is that President Roosevelt understood that defeating our totalitarian foes required fighting anywhere and everywhere we chose, on our own terms, regardless of international law.
What does sKerry understand?
Ok firstly, i never raised the point of WWII. Not only is it totally irrelevant, it was a totally different situation. Nazi Germany was invading and taking over countries left right and centre. Countries tied to US interests. Was Iraq? Nazi Germany declared unrestricted submarine warfare against US shipping. Did Iraq? And heres the all important point - Japan and Germany were military allies. Before the US could even sort out any kind of diplomacy with Nazi Germany - Hitler formally declared war, for the first and last time. Again, Iraq did not do this.
Saddam Hussein was a secular dictator, with nothing to do with Al Qaeda (the perpetrators.) The sooner the Right starts accepting this, i think the sooner the ‘war on terror’ can be fought in the right way.
By any reasonable estimate, considering the magnitude and inhumanity of the attack on our homeland by Muslim extremists, there has been a totally inadequate public demonstration and condemnation from the Muslim community and its leaders in America.
The magitude of the silence has been deafening.
No, I raised WWII because it is relevant to war strategy.
Operation Torch was contrary to international law and to the wishes of the French government; yet in the long run, it advanced the interests of international law and of France. Attacking a country that bore no responsibility for Pearl Harbor was key to preventing future Pearl Harbors. Likewise, the destruction of the Saddam regime and the construction of Iraqi democracy are inflicting a terrible blow against the Islamofascists who preach that the only political choice for Arabs is totalitarianism.
Saddam was secular as secular is, yet commissioned a copy of the koran in his own blood. He also thot he was the new Nebuchanezzer, Saladin.
There was a militaristic alliance between him and AQ — granted each was trying to co-opt the other, but the point is the same, the US was an enemy to both. Or did you miss the Deulfer report and the 9/11 commission report acknowledging developing rapport between them?
Saddam tried to take Kuwait and made known his intentions to be the Fuhrer of Pan-Arabia. Saddam made his resources available to sundry terrorist groups, to wit; Hamas, Hizzbollah, Abu Nidal, AQ just to name a few.
But let’s say that Western sources aren’t credible enough for you. Why not take it straight from the horse’s mouth — just be sure not to inhale too deeply as the rancid halitosis will knock you out; go to oic-oci.org/english/fm/31/31%20icfm-fc-en.htm
The justification for the kidnapping and threatened beheading of Mrs. Hassan of the CARE organization can be found in article 62 of a total of 168 points put out by the OIC (Organization of Islamic Countries) during the Session Of Progress And Global Harmony Istanbul, Republic Of Turkey, 26-28 Rabiulthani 1425h/14-16 June 2004. (Quite an Orwellian title — global harmony in their eyes is only when all of the world submits to Islam and Sharia).
62. The Conference expressed deep concern over repeated and erroneous attempts to associate Islam with human rights violations, and over the use of television, the radio and the press to propagate such misconceptions. It called for an end to the unjustified campaigns of some non-governmental organizations against a number of Member States, which demand the abolition of Sharia laws and penalties in the name of human rights protection. It affirmed the right of States to uphold their religious, social and cultural idiosyncrasies, which are legacies that help enrich common universal concepts of human rights. It urged that the universality of human rights must not be used as a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of States and flout their national sovereignty. The Conference also condemned the decision of the European Union to denounce stoning as a penalty and what it calls inhumane punishments meted out by some Member States in compliance with Islamic Sharia.
Wretchard, at Belmont Club discusses the OIC document at in further detail at belmontclub.blogspot.com/2004/10/hollow-men-readers-with-interest-in.html
I’d be interested in hearing you debunk the OIC’s grand intention to saw off your/our heads, rape your/our womenfolk as chattel and force your/our young to convert to Satan’s grandest perversion of God’s promise to Abraham and his seed.
Dig this Tae, you’re mistaken if you believe that we can’t covertly inflitrate houses of hate masquerading as houses of worship. We already do.
But surveiling a congregation of evil-doers has nothing to do with metal detectors. Where did you get that kind of kool-aid from?
As for separating the wheat from the tares, all muslims are considered innocent until proven guilty, just as are the white supremacists/neo-nazis. But once they start plotting and acting out their hate, we must squash them with the full force of law and/or military might. Just because you have the inability to distinguish between good and evil, doesn’t mean others are likewise hamstrung.
As for increasing the peace thru increasing the strength, sKerry hasn’t done squat in all of his life, ’tis only folly to believe a change of scenary will transform an empty suit. But I feel that doesn’t compute with you, nor sKerry, so ya’ll go on ahead and hit that snooze button again.
Most actors, like most newsmannikins & talking heads (e.g., Bill Maher) think that everybody should think first & last of what it is that others think of them, how they may seem on camera, etc. The obsession with glamour & charisma makes for flaky & sometimes barbaric policy.
I’ll get back to you sometime this weekend, Tae, though I’ve probably addressed these issues before. But I don’t expect you to read my entire archive.
Tae, before you go spreading myths and urban legends, consider this: Congress passed the Patriot Act 98-1 in the Senate; 357-66 in the House. So how is this Bush’s fault? Furthermore, regardless of who the AG is, it is still the law of the land that Ashcroft or even a sKerry appointee must swear to uphold.
The fact that Ashcroft has sucessfully prosecuted but a handful out of thousands gives lie to the hyper-ventilated ACLU screed that the PA abuse of civil rights is rampant. And yes the FBI can indeed surveil persons within a “house of worship” provided that there is justification.
Sections 802, 805 & 806 provide the FBI the necessary authority to follow you into church if they so determine that you pose a credible risk, but don’t want to take you in yet in the hopes that like the solitary honeybee, you will lead them to the hive, so that they can nail all of you.
So Sonny (I can call you that if you aren’t over 40 can I?), as for various district courts pronouncing this or that as unconstitional means nothing. If the intent of the legislators is to ensure a particular point stands, they only have to go back and redraft the wording so as to pass muster.
In the extreme, congress also has the perogative to ban the courts from even ruling on certain laws if they so desire. Given the overwhelming support for the PA, it is something they could certainly decide to do, just so organizations like the ACLU and other bleating chicken little liberals will be stopped cold from even wasting our precious time protesting such.
So how do you like our constitution now?
Andy, Is it time for you and Tae to agree to disagree?
Tae - Despite all your citations, sarcasm and “challenges”, you fail to note that certain types of discrimination are permissible under the Constitution.
I’m sure you’ve read interpretations of the Constitution, particularly those dealing with what is permissible discrimination and what is not. For instance, if race/ethnic discrimination is used to further a “compelling state interest” and is “narrowly tailored” to that end, the discrimination is permissible. The question is whether profiling Muslims is both compelling and narrowly tailored. I say it’s both.
We were attacked by radical Muslim thugs longing for Allah and 72 virgins. They were on a suicide mission. Radical Muslims across the globe have made clear their desire to see us all dead. We have terrorist cells right here in our own country with more Middle Eastern men sneaking across our porous southern border. I would say we have a compelling interest in protecting our homeland from radicals who don’t play by anyone’s rules but their own.
If there are mosques in this country suspected or shown to be funding/hiding these lunatics, the government has every right…the obligation, to protect us by “profiling” such places and investigating their activities. Surveillance of suspected mosques and Muslims, in my view, is narrowly tailored enough to be permissible under the Constitution, especially given the fact that most terrorists are Muslims. Radical Muslims seek out radical Muslims to plot to kill Americans. It is not only suicidal but astonishingly stupid not to consider ethnicity in this war on global terrorism committed by Muslims. As they seek to deprive us of our civil liberties, namely the right to LIVE, some of the liberties of those fitting the profile must be infringed, unfortunately. The good and the bad go hand in hand in this fallen world.
As an aside, I’d like to note that our Supreme Court only last year decided that skin color “diversity” was a compelling state interest. In that regard, discrimination against those not in the protected category (whites, Asians) is permissible, thus saith Sandra Day O’Connor. Racial/ethnic discrimination is permissible so that black and white college students can be “enriched” by each others’ presence, yet law enforcement cannot profile (discriminate against, if you will) Muslims or Arab males who are trying to blow us all to kingdom come? Interesting.
I appreciate your enthusiasm about this issue, but I’m one of those touchy people who doesn’t like sarcasm, so please curb your enthusiasm for it, at least toward me.
Tae, interesting that you didn’t address my points but go off on a tangent by introducing yet another aspect of the PA with “nysd.uscourts.gov/rulings/04CV2614_Opinion_092904.pdf“. This ruling is all about FBI getting access to ISP records. It has no bearing on your initial assertion about the FBI entering churches. And it isn’t even a slam dunk for your arguement.
Furthermore, you’re misleading when you contend that the southern district of NY has “condemned” all of the PA, when in fact they focused on one element only. But, let’s dispatch with your latest twist in challenging the constitutionality of 18 U.S.C. §2709.
The plaintiffs (an ISP & ACLU) contened that it violates the 1st, 4th & 5th Amendments, and that the non-disclosure provision violates the 1st.
Like most of our constitutional law’s hardest cases, this dispute is about two fundamental principles: values and limits. The court accepts that it violates the 4th, at least as currently applied, because it effectively bars or deters any judicial challenge to the propriety of said request. The court also concluded that the permanent ban on disclosure violates the 1st.
However, the court declined the invitation to measure it against the 4th in general or in any particular case. The court also did not review this in light of the 5th. Thus it is the court’s opinion that there are structural flaws in that it is too broad and the non-disclosure could be enforced in perpetuity, with no means of lifting the non-disclure ban down the road.
The court has recognized and re-affirmed that there is a difference in prosecuting crimes that have been committed and in pre-empting terrorist plots (stopping the crime before it can be committed). Hence the court has stayed enforcement of this for 90 days pending appeal or measures by the government to address the flaws in structure and implementation. That gives the government till the end of the year to fix that provision.
In summary, the Patriot Act still stands, but like any other major effort, it will be tested, tweaked and fine-tuned to ensure that the government can effectively combat terrorism while ensuring that your rights and mine are protected. Nothing wrong with that, in fact, that is to be expected.
“just because an act of congress says something, it does not – per force – make it “constitutional,” andy.”
I never contended that, if it didn’t come across clearly, my bad.
As for congress being able to put certain laws beyond the court’s review, the mechanism does exist, as a check against activist judges. Difficult to implement perhaps, nonetheless, doable if congress is so inclined. We have not reached that point for that pre-emptive option to be considered and should Bush win, it may well be moot.
Should sKerry win, he may well unravel the PA to our overall detriment for the time being, but you can be sure that will again change should AQ attack us again on his watch. I wonder if another 3,000 American lives are worth the sacrifice in proving to the rest of us, and you, that sKerry is wrong about everything on terrorism and Islamofascism?
As for the rest of your ACLU’s koolaid-induced psychobabble, whatever dude, and hasta la vista.
That’s the point of the profiling! We don’t know who the radical would-be killers are. If we did, we could go after them and be done with it. But law enforcement, while distinguishing between lawbreakers and would-be lawbreakers (based on probability and other factors), must be allowed to do what is reasonably necessary to carry out their duty to protect. In that regard, the profiling of Arab men is reasonably necessary. There is no perfect or sure-fire way to do this, and I doubt you’ll get an answer from me that will satisfy you.
Regarding the test you say is wrong (racial discrimination?), it is one of several tests we can use. Under the Establishment Clause test, religious expression does not trump a government’s obligation to protect its citizens. Religious groups who believe in human sacrifice, for instance, cannot be permitted to do so. In that regard, their right to kill people in the free exercise of their religion is “infringed.” A religion that sacrifices animals in violation of health codes cannot be permitted to do so. All things must be balanced. One’s free exercise of religion ends when it infringes on the rights and safety of others. If Islam’s adherents believe they are called to kill “infidels” and they actually try or succeed in killing, their “free exercise” will be infringed.
How do I tell an Islamofacist thug from a “devout” follower of Islam? I say the devout part is irrelevant. As for the other? Let’s see. If the follower is hell-bent on suicide missions to kill people and to a lesser extent, hell-bent on “taking over” other countries and societies via Islamic law and oppression, it’s probably an accurate indicator that said follower is an Islamofacist. Simply expressing hatred for the west, as bad enough as that is, would likely not be. Many people hate the west for various reasons, most of which I couldn’t care less about. And the world’s terrorist lunatics are NOT overwhelmingly followers of Islam, and the “factual record” can’t bear this out?
About Christians: If and when Reformed Christians start flying airplanes into buildings, plotting to kill Muslims and expressing hatred for all things Middle Eastern, with overt acts to back it up, I’ll write about my views on the profiling of Reformed Christian churches, including my own.
Amen La Shawn
An interesting debate on the PA at frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=13430.
Between Heather MacDonald, Contributing Editor of City Journal and John M. Olin Fellow at the Manhattan Institute. She is the author of “Are Cops Racist? How the War Against the Police Harms Black Americans.”
And a delusional
Joe Williams, editor of Santa Cruz Indymedia, a counsellor with the GI Rights Hotline and the Peace and Freedom Party candidate for the House of Representatives in California’s 17th District.
Andy - it would be nice if you DIDNT use debunked points as a basis for your whole argument. Lets clear things up. There was no ”alliance” between Al Qaeda and Iraq. Military OR otherwise. Bin Laden supported the Sunni Muslim kurds AGAINST Saddam. Your argument of ”Oh, they were both enemies of America” is somewhat desperate, and i must say the worst straw clutching i have seen for some time. The 9/11 commission proved exactly the opposite to what you are saying. Unfortunate for Bush and cabinet, there were no links between the two whatsoever. Now lets move on.
Firstly, it is unclear which group exactly has Mrs Hassan. The use of OIC quote was somewhat confusing. Not only did i never endorse this group, the select piece you provided doesnt say anything about beheading, raping, or forcing conversions either.
Andy, you are JUST as intolerant of Islam as the minority radical fundamentalists are of Christianity and other religions. Calling it a spawn of Satan or whatever proves this. Its sad, it really is.
Thanks for your participation, Tae. Thoughtful debate or not, we are still free in America, at least for the time being, to express our views.
ElMariachi, debunked by whom? Blix, MoveOn and whoever else? If there was no alliance, why was Zarqawi recuperating in Iraq after being injured in Afghanistan and prior to our invasion? That to me qualifies as giving material aid and assistance to a terrorist organization.
Sadly, you’re still spinning the myth of the 9/11 commisson. Yes Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11 AND yes Saddam was developing a relationship with AQ, as he had with any other terrorist organization.
In fact, I don’t think there was an organization that he didn’t at least entertain as long as they weren’t against him and conceiveably be a pawn in his Pan-Arabia quest.
Of course the OIC is confusing. Where did I say you endorsed it? The OIC conndemns NGOs that advocate human rights and which campaigns/interfere with a nation’s sovereign right to impose Sharia Law. Therefore, it would extend that rationale to any group of thugs to grab Mrs hassan who has lived and worked amongst Iraq’s wretched to advocate on their behalf.
She is by the OIC’s definition interfering with the misogynic culture that views women as equal to livestock to be bartered and kept out of sight — where is NOW and other women’s rights group on this atrocity? That you chose not to read between the lines and connect the dots is sKerry-esque.
If by your definition, I am intolerant, so be it — I make no apologies. As a Christian, I believe it when Jesus says ‘I am the Way, the truth and the Light, no man cometh to the Father. but by me’ (Jn 14:6) To me that means all other religions are false and therefore a spawn of Satan, who is a deceiver and seeks to devour all (1 Peter 5:8).
Likewise, 2 Jn 1:7 speaks of decievers who deny the incarnation of Jesus as antichrists. Islam teaches that Jesus is but a prophet, not the Son of God, and that Mohammed is the last and true prophet. Sorry if that bursts your bubble and moral equvilance.
Debunked by the very 9/11 commission you speak of. On another note, what do MoveOn and Blix have to do with each other? Blix is a respected weapons inspector, that had the courage to stand up and say the US was undermining the weapons inspection efforts.
Your point is so crude it defies belief. Firstly, Zarqawi is not a member of Al Qaeda. He runs his own organisation - Tawhid al Jihad. So what you are saying is, because Zarqawi spent some time in Iraq, that somehow means there was links between the two? Excuse me if im misunderstanding what you are saying - but if this is the case that point is very flawed. Does the prescence of the KKK in America mean the US government are cooperating with them?
Im relaying no myths. There is no room for subjectivity here. The 9/11 commission explicitly stated there was NO link between the organisation Al Qaeda, and the Iraqi government. Fact.
The people who kidnapped Ms Hassan are not only stupid, as the vast majority of Iraqi’s love her….it was a political move, as she is a well known character. The Qu’ran doesnt preach the oppression of women any more than the Bible does.
I respect you for holding your hands up to being intolerant. I do however feel you are going a little far in your zeal. Suggesting other faiths are Satan bred is just inane. It only supports my theory that religious faith only breeds conflict with those different. Frankly, i dont care what the Bible says. Im laying down how radical i think your views are in real terms, regardless of what it says.
ElMariachi - It’s interesting that you call people “intolerant” but express an intolerance toward us Christians, our beliefs and the Bible. Our Bible says that there are only two kingdoms: that of God and Satan. If you’re not of the kingdom of God, through his Son Jesus Christ, you’re in the kingdom of darkness. That’s what we believe. Are you “intolerant” of our beliefs?
By the way, only secularist types consider that word a slur. Christians do not. To me, it’s akin to being called a homophobe. Totally meaningless and doesn’t rattle me in the least. In my view, this is the sort of attitude white conservatives should adopt when called racists. A discussion-stifling piece of fluff.
The word “intolerant” has taken on a whole new and unintended meaning. I don’t accept all lifestyles and ideas as true or equally valid. I am tolerant of others because we live in a civilized society, and my obligation is to be civil toward them. If I am considered “intolerant” because I don’t accept what they do, say or believe to be correct or good, so be it.
I have a feeling your exasperation with my response and this blog will lead you to say something inappropriate, so be warned: If you respond to me directly, don’t lose your temper.
Oh ElMariachi, such selective reading. I take it you haven’t read the report istelf, relying instead on the MSM. I’ll indulge your preference for the MSM and quote you a few excerpts from USAToday at usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2004-06-17-hadley_x.htm
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A 9/11 commission staff report is being cited to argue that the administration was wrong about there being suspicious ties and contacts between Iraq and al-Qaeda. In fact, just the opposite is true. The staff report documents such links.
The staff report concludes that:
• Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden “explored possible cooperation with Iraq during his time in Sudan.”
• “A senior Iraqi intelligence officer reportedly made three visits to Sudan, finally meeting bin Laden in 1994.”
• “Contacts between Iraq and al-Qaeda also occurred after bin Laden had returned to Afghanistan.”
Chairman Thomas Kean has confirmed: “There were contacts between Iraq and al-Qaeda, a number of them, some of them a little shadowy. They were definitely there.”
Following news stories, Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton said he did not understand the media flap over this issue and that the commission does not disagree with the administration’s assertion that there were connections between al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein’s government.
For instance, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is the leader of a terrorist group that is responsible for a number of deadly attacks throughout Iraq. He and his men trained and fought with al-Qaeda for years. Zarqawi’s network helped establish and operate an explosives and poisons facility in northeast Iraq. Zarqawi and nearly two-dozen al-Qaeda associates were in Baghdad before the fall of Saddam’s regime. In 2002, one al-Qaeda associate bragged that the situation in Iraq was “good” and that Baghdad could be transited quickly.
It may be that all of the contacts between Iraq and al-Qaeda never resulted in joint terrorist attacks. But considering all that we knew, no responsible leader could take for granted that such a collaboration would never happen.
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Lest you claim that you have indeed read the 9/11 commisson report, might I kindly refer you to the downloadable National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States at 9-11commission. gov/report/911Report. pdf.
If you will browse over to page 62 (78th PDF page), under the chapter entitled THE FOUNDATION OF THE NEW TERRORISM, we read the following:
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…Bin Ladin seemed willing to include in the confederation terrorists from almost every corner of the Muslim world [Remember 'Your Enemy Is My Enemy'?]. His vision mirrored that of Sudan’s Islamist leader, Turabi,[Remember this guy and the current genocide in Sudan?] who convened a series of meetings under the label Popular Arab and Islamic Conference around the time of Bin Ladin’s arrival in that country. Delegations of violent Islamist extremists came from all the groups represented in Bin Ladin’s Islamic Army Shura. Representatives also came from organizations such as the Palestine Liberation Organization, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
Turabi sought to persuade Shiites and Sunnis to put aside their divisions and join against the common enemy. In late 1991 or 1992, discussions in Sudan between al Qaeda and Iranian operatives led to an informal agreement to cooperate in providing support—even if only training—for actions carried out primarily against Israel and the United States. Not long afterward, senior al Qaeda operatives and trainers traveled to Iran to receive training in explosives [Remember Axis of Evil?]. In the fall of 1993, another such delegation went to the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon for further training in explosives as well as in intelligence and security. Bin Ladin reportedly showed particular interest in learning how to use truck bombs such as the one that had killed 241 U.S. Marines in Lebanon in 1983. The relationship between al Qaeda and Iran demonstrated that Sunni-Shia divisions did not necessarily pose an insurmountable barrier to cooperation in terrorist operations. As will be described in chapter 7, al Qaeda contacts with Iran continued in ensuing years.
Bin Ladin was also willing to explore possibilities for cooperation with Iraq, even though Iraq’s dictator, Saddam Hussein, had never had an Islamist agenda—save for his opportunistic pose as a defender of the faithful against “Crusaders” during the Gulf War of 1991. Moreover, Bin Ladin had in fact been sponsoring anti-Saddam Islamists in Iraqi Kurdistan, and sought to attract them into his Islamic army.
To protect his own ties with Iraq, Turabi reportedly brokered an agreement that Bin Ladin would stop supporting activities against Saddam. Bin Ladin apparently honored this pledge, at least for a time, although he continued to aid a group of Islamist extremists operating in part of Iraq (Kurdistan) outside of Baghdad’s control. In the late 1990s, these extremist groups suffered major defeats by Kurdish forces. In 2001, with Bin Ladin’s help they re-formed into an organization called Ansar al Islam. There are indications that by then the Iraqi regime tolerated and may even have helped Ansar al Islam against the common Kurdish enemy.
With the Sudanese regime acting as intermediary, Bin Ladin himself met with a senior Iraqi intelligence officer in Khartoum in late 1994 or early 1995. Bin Ladin is said to have asked for space to establish training camps, as well as assistance in procuring weapons, but there is no evidence that Iraq responded to this request. As described below, the ensuing years saw additional efforts to establish connections.
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On page 66 (83rd PDF page)
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There is also evidence that around this time Bin Ladin sent out a number of feelers to the Iraqi regime, offering some cooperation. None are reported to have received a significant response.According to one report, Saddam Hussein’s efforts at this time to rebuild relations with the Saudis and other Middle Eastern regimes led him to stay clear of Bin Ladin.
In mid-1998, the situation reversed; it was Iraq that reportedly took the initiative. In March 1998, after Bin Ladin’s public fatwa against the United States, two al Qaeda members reportedly went to Iraq to meet with Iraqi intelligence. In July, an Iraqi delegation traveled to Afghanistan to meet first with the Taliban and then with Bin Ladin. Sources reported that one, or perhaps both, of these meetings was apparently arranged through Bin Ladin’s Egyptian deputy, Zawahiri, who had ties of his own to the Iraqis. In 1998, Iraq was under intensifying U.S. pressure, which culminated in a series of large air attacks in December [Remember Clinton's call for regime change and his wagging the dog airstrikes?].
Similar meetings between Iraqi officials and Bin Ladin or his aides may have occurred in 1999 during a period of some reported strains with the Taliban. According to the reporting, Iraqi officials offered Bin Ladin a safe haven in Iraq. Bin Ladin declined, apparently judging that his circumstances in Afghanistan remained more favorable than the Iraqi alternative. The reports describe friendly contacts and indicate some common themes in both sides’ hatred of the United States. But to date we have seen no evidence that these or the earlier contacts ever developed into a collaborative operational relationship. Nor have we seen evidence indicating that Iraq cooperated with al Qaeda in developing or carrying out any attacks against the United States.
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Perhaps your claims are predicated on the final two sentences above. Yes Iraq may have nothing to do with 9/11, but Iraq and AQ were definitely in cahoots to enable each other’s mischief. There’s plenty more in that report, so perhaps you can put your weekend to good use and enlighten yourself.
Ciao
I display no intolerance towards Christians. Firstly, i dont call you all Satan followers. I dont sprout misinformation about the religion, and i certainly dont attack it constantly. I consider myself an open minded person, im open to religious ideas but am for all intents and purposes an Atheist. I used the word ‘intolerant’ as Andy was making direct attacks against a religion different from his own, for this reason alone. I think it was a fair word to use. All religions are naturally intolerant, in my opinion.
I consider your idea of ‘God’ or ‘Satan’ to be naive, wherever it comes from. Nothing is this black and white. Not intolerance, merely personal objection to this way of thinking. I havnt attacked your beliefs at all.
Andy - you are clutching at straws again, as non of those desperate ‘links’ actually lead to any constructive relationship (You even had the audacity to claim there was a ‘military alliance.’) Al Qaeda tried to get in touch personally with Saddam on one occassion, to request for permission to set up training camps there. Saddam did not even reply. But you’ve supposedly read the report, im sure you know this already.
Next - Zarqawi. You ignored my previous comment about this. You seem to think that because Zarqawi both trained with Al Qaeda, and worked within Iraq this means there was some kind of link between the Iraqi government and Al Qaeda. Not so.
You then copy and paste a piece of information about IRAN, which i have made no comment about. Iran has no place in this discussion. Not only is it a very different country from Saddam’s secular Baath party regime, the US has not invaded Iran.
Bin Laden was WILLING to set up links. I suggest you read your own information before quickly running it off as relevant.
After reading that, i have learnt absolutely nothing i didnt know, and you have failed to prove any links between Al Qaeda and the Iraqi government, MUCH LESS a ‘military alliance.’ I suggest you read your source full of ‘maybes’, and ‘willingness’ again, and quit the spin.
Fair enough. I hope this discussion is winding down. I’m taking my naive self to bed.
I said “There was a militaristic alliance between him and AQ”, meaning a cooperative exchange of knowhow and training. As for the rest, you say pota-toe and I say po-tato
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