tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067844.post112392217643544314..comments2023-09-16T03:09:35.038+12:45Comments on War is for Winning: Winning Iraq - Mark Iunaha-closphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11385104004764358415noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067844.post-1124837476616308102005-08-24T11:36:00.000+12:452005-08-24T11:36:00.000+12:45This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067844.post-1124836300654355432005-08-24T11:16:00.000+12:452005-08-24T11:16:00.000+12:45This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067844.post-1124691047867749692005-08-22T18:55:00.000+12:452005-08-22T18:55:00.000+12:45Yeah it was me.The Saudi Arabia Accountability Act...Yeah it was me.<BR/><BR/>The Saudi Arabia Accountability Act sounds a good idea. <BR/><BR/>Cheap shot? Do not know, though it could be used as one if the President balks. It is likely that the Democrats are getting less campaign funding from Saudi related arms & oil industries now that they do not hold power, so it would hurt them less. But traditionally both parties have benefitted, so any cheap shots could be countered by pointing out how much the Clintons may have recieved.unaha-closphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11385104004764358415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067844.post-1124684697993834522005-08-22T17:09:00.000+12:452005-08-22T17:09:00.000+12:45Unaha: If that was you who actually left the comme...Unaha: If that was you who actually left the comment about appeasing the Saudis at Mike's America, perhaps we can develop a more substantive dicussion on the topic other than cheap shots at Bush.<BR/><BR/>As I've said before one tool would be the Saudi Arabia Accountability Act. Unless of course the preponderance of Democrat co sponsors for the House bill intend it for just another cheap shot.Mike's Americahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01262938295909490454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067844.post-1124675000004686812005-08-22T14:28:00.000+12:452005-08-22T14:28:00.000+12:45Unaha-Closp,Yes, Islam is complex and indeed a dif...Unaha-Closp,<BR/>Yes, Islam is complex and indeed a different culture. I can't tell you the number of hours I've spent trying to wrap my mind around its complexities. Also, I have found the many principles of Western logic simply do not apply.<BR/><BR/>Beyond the complexities of Islam itself, inter-tribal warfare is a consistent element within Islam since the death of MTP. It's all very difficult to keep up with.<BR/><BR/>The most important enemy to understand right now is Wahhbism, which, in many respects, is simpler than other Islamic sects<BR/><BR/>What emerges in Iraq is of the utmost importance. A "failure" there, however that term is defined, would be devastating for the Middle East--and for the rest of the world as well. Wahhabists are doing everything within their power to prevent the establishment of any form of democracy in Iraq.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01216119321836479641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067844.post-1124591604804336892005-08-21T15:18:00.000+12:452005-08-21T15:18:00.000+12:45b.Poster:Thanks for bringing up the "responsibilit...b.Poster:<BR/>Thanks for bringing up the "responsibility of the left" issue, as you have done.<BR/>The sanctimonious harping on "morality" that has hallmarked their responses to date, has moved from the offensive (who appointed them moral arbiter?) to the criminal (treasonous in time of war).<BR/>The left has as much of an obligation to tackle Universal problems as the warriors. That they do not shows the full extent of their pusillanimity, and the moribund state of their rhetoric.<BR/>Nothing to say = irrelevance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067844.post-1124346486440633992005-08-18T19:13:00.000+12:452005-08-18T19:13:00.000+12:45Some progess has been made in cutting off funding ...Some progess has been made in cutting off funding to the terrorists but unfortunately, at this time, it is no where near enough.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067844.post-1124345693505259422005-08-18T18:59:00.000+12:452005-08-18T18:59:00.000+12:45AngusI agree we and our allies will have to a bett...Angus<BR/><BR/>I agree we and our allies will have to a better job of targeting the funding for the terrorists. If the anti war left would raise this issue, they would be being productive. This does seem to be a problem with our current strategy. I agree it is unlikely that Islamic Extremists could conquer the West by themselves. Actually the biggest threats to the West come from Russia and China. I am concerned that either or both of these could ally with the Islamic Extremists against us and may already have done so. In any event, while we are fighting the Islamic Extremists we must remain vigilant and make sure to keep an eye on the bigger threats posed by Russia and China.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067844.post-1124332740803876192005-08-18T15:24:00.000+12:452005-08-18T15:24:00.000+12:45I think you were dead on in this post -Elmers Brot...I think you were dead on in this post -<BR/><BR/>Elmers BrotherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067844.post-1124188962746198812005-08-16T23:27:00.000+12:452005-08-16T23:27:00.000+12:45AoW,Islam is complex - I shall have to start on th...AoW,<BR/><BR/>Islam is complex - I shall have to start on the reading lists you and Jason have put up.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Jason,<BR/><BR/>There is no one advocating a dictatorship, but it was standard practice during the Cold War for both the USSR and the USA to entrust difficult countries to friendly strongmen. And if there is an early withdrawl there will be a use for a strongman to defend American interests.<BR/><BR/><BR/>B. Poster<BR/>Even if all the arab states joined together in some kind of caliphate (a worst case scenario very unlikely to happen), its not a big threat to western civilisation. Western civilisation is way too strong, well armed and big. <BR/><BR/>However a withdrawl now that delivers victory to the salafists would make them stronger within the Muslim world and any war that leads to their defeat would have to be longer or more intensive. <BR/><BR/>The problem with the current strategy is that the USA recognises that it is being attacked by salafists but does not target those funding the teaching of salafist wahhabism. It is the equivalent of fighting the Cold War without targeting those funding the spread of communism.<BR/><BR/><BR/>angusunaha-closphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11385104004764358415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067844.post-1124153859930788372005-08-16T13:42:00.000+12:452005-08-16T13:42:00.000+12:45Saddam showed he had no problem working with Jihad...Saddam showed he had no problem working with Jihadists. On a personal level, the Jihadists and the Baathists may not have liked each other but it did not stop them from working together. Whether or not to disband the Baathists or not to disband the Baathists was a tactical decision. In retrospect, it may have been a bad idea to disband them. Can you imagine the response of the main stream media had we chosen to keep them? They would have gone nuts!! They are going to criticize this administration no matter what it does. Anyway moving on, the options are 1.) Supporting a secular dictator who will restrain the Jihadists. 2.) Promoting democracy 3.)Simply leaving Iraq now. Option number three is the one the anti-American left supports. This would be an unmitigated disaster and would only hasten the day that western civilization ends. I consider option number three considered and rejected. Unlike the anti-American left, I want to preserve America and Western civilization. This leaves us with options 1 and 2. I generally agree with the premise that democracy is more risky but is a better long term solution. What is certain is that we must get this right. The survival of America and Western civiliation depend on getting this right.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067844.post-1124149803500244052005-08-16T12:35:00.000+12:452005-08-16T12:35:00.000+12:45The time to decide on democracy or benign dictator...The time to decide on <I>democracy</I> or <I>benign dictator</I> was before the liberation of Iraq. We could have kept the Baathists in power and allowed another to take control. The removal of Saddam was sufficient to discourage future threats. Libya’s confession and abandonment of their nuclear program is proof. <BR/><BR/>However, that time is long since gone. Now we have to insure the <I>jihadists</I> don’t get a foothold in Iraq. There are many possibilities. Democracy is the most costly but politically the others are less acceptable. I don't see anyone on the national or world stage who has another solution to rally others around. Do you?Jason Pappashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18233796281520274898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067844.post-1124073104870254772005-08-15T15:16:00.000+12:452005-08-15T15:16:00.000+12:45Unaha-Closp,A word here about Saddam...Saddam wasn...Unaha-Closp,<BR/>A word here about Saddam...<BR/><BR/>Saddam wasn't much of a Muslim and certainly not a Wahhabist. His hedonistic practices were not part of Wahhabism. This despite the fact that both OBL and Saddam fall under the general classification of Sunnis. Of course, the dispute between Sunnis and Shi'ites has its root in the controvery over succession to Mohammed. <BR/><BR/>At certain times, Saddam marched out the flag of Islam when he wanted support from Muslims. He used Islam as it suited his political purposes. <BR/><BR/>Back in the 1980's, when I first heard of Saddam, it was in the context of a Christian missionary's speech about Saddam's desire to become the 20th Century Nebuchadnezzar, who was, of course, not a Muslim. The missionary told the audience that Saddam wanted to re-establish the Kingdom of Babylon--not a Muslim concept, per se as Babylon far predated the founding of Islam. In fact, the word "Muslim" never came up in the missionary's presentation. I used to hear an occasional item about the Babylon re-establishment in the media, but I don't believe that I've heard anything about that matter for many years now.<BR/><BR/>In general, many people do not recognize many of the internal workings of the sects within Islam.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01216119321836479641noreply@blogger.com