In a piece of inspired Bush hate, Philly.com pundit John Baer said that because of the atrocity against humanity and the beheading of Nick Berg we should pull out of Iraq.
And even if (and what are the chances?) this is the worst of pledged al Qaeda retaliation for U.S. abuse of Iraqi prisoners, then hopefully it's enough to start a chain of events to get us the hell out of that country sooner rather than later and stop this insane waste of young American lives.
What? I think this should shore up support for the Iraq war. The way these things (I call them things becasue even animals don't act like this) treated Nick Berg shows of their blatent disregard for human life. Not only that, but it shows of their blind hatred for America, and the way of life that America represents.
Baer continues his mindless punditry:
A young American, a son of Pennsylvania, beheaded for the world to see. Why? For what I believe is condoned, if not outright ordered, humiliation of prisoners, and for photos and videos taken for (what else makes sense?) intimidation of other prisoners. And all this in the same place, Abu Ghraib, where Saddam tortured and murdered Iraqis, one of the supposed reasons, I'd remind you, we invaded his sorry country.
I find it amazing how this guy can basically excuse the behading of a 26-year old man who is trying to make Iraq a better place because of some relatively harmless photos of scumbag terrorists undoubtably with American blood on their hands.
If history is any judge of how things pan out, we must not pull out of Iraq. Doing so will only enable those who wish to destroy our way of life. Look at World War II. Chamberlain in England tried to appease Hitler, giving a little, giving a little more, until it was past the point of no return. He ignored the gathering storm. He said:
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Mark Saleski
That didn't work did it?
it "didn't work" because we didn't do it.
the ability to analyze possible causes of things isn't, in general, a stongpoint of our foreign policy.
2 - Sandra Smallson
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
-Edmund Burke
"The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."
-Albert Einstein
"Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph."
-Haile Selassie
3 - Mark Saleski
Either war is obsolete or men are.
--R. Buckminster Fuller
4 - Mark Saleski
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction....The chain reaction of evil -- hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars -- must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
5 - Ms. Tek
"Americans have different ways of saying things. They say "elevator", we say "lift" ... they say "President", we say "stupid psychopathic git."
-Alexai Sayle
6 - boomcrashbaby
He wrapped himself in quotations- as a beggar would enfold himself in the purple of Emperors.
Rudyard Kipling (1865 - 1936)
7 - Stately Wayne Manor
"What Me Worry?" - Alfred E. Neuman
8 - Jeff
The question is should be abandon our posts and hope the hurricane misses us, or through the grace of God we are spared? Or do we stand our ground, protect our homes, and face this danger head on.
That doesn't really seem like a good analogy. If a hurricane is coming there is very little you can do to "protect" your home. Wouldn't it be more like wolves coming to get your sheep - something where you had a chance to defend it.
Sandra, are you using a quote from a pacifist to justify the war? Just asking.
9 - Jim Carruthers
Jumped up Jeebus on a pogo stick, can't you right wing nuts remember it's Carbona, not glue. This is the week you're supposed to stop sniffing glue.
First off, if you are going to use Nick Berg for your willfully evil propaganda purposes, could you please explain why or how he spent two weeks in US military custody, before being released and disappeared. Plus how his father was listed on a right-wing enemy list.
And as a side question, since when did "terrorists" get organized enough to stock standard US prison jumpsuits? Just wondering.
Since it seems to take about 4 to 6 months for the lies and atrocities to surface, I guess we'll get something like information about the beginning of September.
10 - Tom
Jim, I see you've been reading DemocraticUnderground.
I don't know what's scarier, the fact that this sort of thing happens, or that people don't see that this sort of evil has to be dealt with.
11 - James Golden
Tom, thanks for writing this excellent article. It's definitely more scary that so many people think that would could somehow "nice" our way out of this. We did nothing to get ourselves in it.
Mark said the following:
"the ability to analyze possible causes of things isn't, in general, a stongpoint of our foreign policy."
This would assume that there is a bona fide reason behind the terror attacks, but there wasn't. Since when do we attempt to analyze the actions of murderers at home? We don't because nothing excuses murder.
I was recently having an argument with an Islamic friend of mine, and I stumped him. I asked, "Who is the greatest enemy of the people of the middle east?"
"America" he asked/answered.
"No, the leaders of the countries of the middle east." He was stumped, there was little he could say in response. Sure, our policies might sometimes be obtuse and our trade partners are not always our moral equals. We STILL trade with China after all. But ultimately, the problems facing the Arab street are the doing of Arab leaders and no one else. At least we are trying to change these arab leaders for the better. Is this a good reason for insurgency? Not really.
12 - Jim Carruthers
Bear with me as I indulge in a little theatre of the mind. Imagine James Van der Beek playing a Golden Retriever, and you asked him to explain US government policy -- his reaction would be "Huh?".
Which is my reaction to the Tom and James butt puppet show.
I don't live in your blinkered nation. I don't like your government and its corporate rape of anything remaining of decency or dignity you once had. I don't like that your nation has, in the collapse of the Soviet Union, decided to replace it as an oppressive regieme. I don't feel comfortable travelling to your country because I know I have no rights or respect, and the rule of law has become a charade.
13 - Jeff
Since when do we attempt to analyze the actions of murderers at home? We don't because nothing excuses murder.
I would hope we do it all the time. I'm sure we do. Law enforcement damn well better do it. It's not to excuse murder though. It's to a)find a motive in order to prosecute b)understand it so that the next time it happens you will have empirical data that will help you with the investigation (i.e. experience in dealing with like situations) and c)if a pattern is developing possibly prevent it from happening again.
There is always a reason behind something. Sometimes we may choose to do something about that reason (attempt prevention) and sometimes not (react to it). But you shouldn't refuse to understand the reasons.
14 - James Golden
Fair enough, but I feel like Americans are sitting around analyzing the situation with an eye towards what we did wrong to cause 911. We didn't do anything wrong. We certainly didnt do anything to warrant 911.
15 - James Golden
Jim:
What country are you from that is so pious? Firstly, you are completely off the mark on everything you said. Second, if you don't like the US, don't come here and we will all be happy. Who cares that you view us and not the terrorists as the problem. Frankly, it's opinions like yours that are the problem in my opinion.
Maybe if the UN did what it was supposed to 12 years ago, we wouldnt be in this situation right now cleaning up UN's mess. Really, isn't that what we are doing?
16 - Jim Carruthers
We certainly didnt do anything to warrant 911.
Most of you can't even call "911" because you can't find eleven on the phone.
What has this to do with the atrocity exhibition in the Middle East, and your expanding secret government adventures in Central and South America (you _do_ know you've been shipping "military advisors" to Columbia for more than the past year, and they've been heavily involved in trying to overthrow the elected government of Venuzuala, right?).
The torture in Iraq is not surprising, since the reservists and National Guard troops couldn't even identify what continent they were going to. And torture training is SOP in both the US and UK military. They just don't want to admit it or have any evidence they carry it out. Sort of the "don't ask, don't tell" of human rights abuse.
17 - Jim Carruthers
If ignorance is bliss, James Golden must be the happiest boy in the world.
G'wan, have another Happy Meal.
18 - Tom
I don't like your government and its corporate rape of anything remaining of decency or dignity you once had.
Everything that is good in this world you can trace to America. Modern free market economics an those corporations you hate are the reasons for the prosperiety which you undoubtably enjoy. Until you realize that no country will ever be able to touch America in indenuity, prosperity, or humanitarianism.
19 - Tom
Come on Jim, which country do you call home sweet home.
20 - James Golden
Jim, you are a terrible debator, you use insults rather than fact. And you call me ignorant.
Have a nice day.
21 - Jim Carruthers
To answer your question: What country are you from that is so pious?
From Canada, where, when the Airborne Regiment tortured and murdered a young Somali, the soldiers were charged, tried and imprisoned, the entire regiment was disbanded, and the chain of command was altered to prevent future derailing of responsibility, along with the Minister of Defense effectively getting sacked.
From the country which was engaged in Afghanistan who had soldiers murdered, maimed and wounded by US troops high on drugs.
From a country which prides itself on trying to be peace-keepers, not war-mongers.
22 - Jim Carruthers
James, yes, I know I'm a terrible debator, I recognize you as the Masterdebator.
23 - Tom
From a country which has no major export except people coming across the border to America for hernia operations.
24 - Ms. Tek
Everything that is good in this world you can trace to America..
Oh fucking please. America has had some good shit but everywhere else has some major contributions as well.
And German cars... well they kick ASS.
25 - Jim Carruthers
sigh, the downside to ass-clown puppet theatre from the likes of Tom and James (coming to a strip-mall near you, unless you don't live near a strip-mall) is that is neither entertaining or enlighting.
Now what the fuck is this supposed to mean (other than a lame attempt at playing the dozens):
From a country which has no major export except people coming across the border to America for hernia operations.
If I have a problem with my internal stuff or junk, I use my public health care and get that shit taken care of. I need a new liver, I get one. It's public health care. If I am a citizen, I get health care. No bills. I get sick, I get taken care of. So, if I should get a hernia, it gets done. Nobody goes across the border for a junk realignment. That's why I pay taxes -- universal health care.
So, you can't even lie about your own country's misadventures, you have to lie about everything else? Is that the problem with the fascists in the States, they've been taken over by compulsive liars?