Author
|
Topic: Retaliate- against whom?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064
|
posted 11 September 2001 09:25 PM
Bush is saying "Terrorist acts can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot shake the foundations of our country.... America was targeted because we are the greatest beacon of freedom in the world, but no one can extinquish that light."And "...God Bless America." I wrote that last before he'd finished. Now I'm waiting...bit of the 23rd Psalm...yes.
From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meow
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1247
|
posted 12 September 2001 01:06 AM
Pimji, I feel you said a lot of things I have been internalizing for the past day.When I heard about the bombs falling in Kabul, I felt the same kind of sickness when I watched the planes crash into the world trade center. Two wrongs don't make a right. They are still killing innocent people. Why escalate the conflict? Maybe I am naive. But that kind of "retaliation" doesn't seem ethical.....and indeed hypocritical...why create another human tragedy?
From: Toronto | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Pimji
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 228
|
posted 12 September 2001 01:14 AM
Thank You Meow The US government and its military industrial have no desire for peace. That we agree on. Are you surprised this has happened today? I would guess that like myself you are not. Half of the taxes collected from US taxpayers fund thier military. The US military has trained and funded the very terrorists who kill their own selves. Many of the terrorists that have struck the world have been trained directly or indirectly by the U.S. and have been finanically supported by the U.S. government. While we don't know who planned this attack, perspective in the U.S.'s role in international terrorism is essential. Ramzi Ahmed Yousef traveled to Afghanistan to join the Mujahedeen rebels in their fight against Soviet occupiers, and there learned the guerrilla techniques he would later employ in New York. Who supported the Mujahedeen and paid for Yousef's training in terrorism? The United States Central Intelligence Agency, who funneled the Afghan rebels millions of U.S. taxpayers dollars.Timothy McVeigh was another angry young man, one who had to drop out of college, couldn't find a steady job, and moved from trailer park to trailer park as an adult, wondering if the American Dream included him. He did what a lot of economically-disadvantaged young kids do, and enlisted in the U.S. Army (this has been described by some as "the poverty draft"). Another terrorist trained by the United States government. This is a time to look inward. I have my doubts that this will happen and there will be a return to the base reaction of hatred racism and retribution and its continuing cycel of violent death and misery. I will never cooperate in this cylce of ill will. The military types can ridicule me. They have my permission. [ September 12, 2001: Message edited by: Pimji ]
From: South of Ottawa | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064
|
posted 12 September 2001 01:15 AM
Just a moment, though. The Americans have denied bombing the airport in Kabul. A northern Afghan rebel group has claimed responsibility, not for the New York and Washington attacks, but for the attack in Afghanistan.For once I'm inclined to believe both. The Americans, while I fear they might retaliate with massive overkill, won't do so without some clear evidence. They would lose support among their allies, although at this point they might not care about that. Meanwhile, don't forget that the Taliban haven't achieved complete control over Afghanistan, and still have some internal opposition.
From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
stile
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 659
|
posted 12 September 2001 01:23 AM
Congratulations to the terrorists for a bold, courageous, and brilliantly planned strike. The US has finally gotten a taste of its own medicine. In the last 100 years, the US has committed the most atrocious war crimes the world has ever known. And yet they have not been taken to justice for even a single one of those crimes. Meanwhile they prance around the globe ravaging peoples and lands for their economic benefit. They even stop to punish fellow NON-American war criminals here and there. What hypocrites! The US has committed too many war crimes to mention, so I will focus on the most obvious and easily the worst: the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Instanly Killed: 110,000 Instantly Injured (visibly: includes burned, blinded, maimed,etc.) : 130,000 Irradiated: 300,000+ 1950 death toll: 340, 000 Patients receving care in 1990 for atomic bomb related radiation sickness: 350,000+ People are still dieing today from leukemia, cancer, and other radiation related diseases. Children of the survivors often suffer from radiation related sicknesses (eg: leukemia). Yet we know that the US did not have to commit this inhuman atrocity in order to end the war. Japan was already decimated by conventional bombing (100,000 died in the fire bombing of Tokyo – 1 million injured). Korea, Vietnam, Iraq – all received horrifying civilian casualties. Children massacred alone by the US is easily 100 times the number of grown men killed today in New York. So, rich, white-bread America, after 100 years of fucking over the planet, maybe a little justice has finally been served today.
From: B.C. | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Slick Willy
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 184
|
posted 12 September 2001 01:36 AM
Some here seem to be sugesting that the West should drop capitalism (to be replaced with nothing) and give all the money and material things away to the rest of the world and above all, refuse to hit anyone who hits us.I ask to what end? So that all peoples of North America can live in poverty with absolutly no way to change it? Then everyone could be all nice an equal in our suffering. This crap about the poor long suffering terrorists and how we made them makes me sick. Those people who commited this heinous act of the most foul nature are nothing but brainwashed misfits that are fit to live in any civilized country on the face of the earth. There is absolutly nothing that anyone could do to make them happy other than to die. So if the choice is us or them, then fuck them, I am for us.
From: Hog Heaven | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
clockwork
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 690
|
posted 12 September 2001 02:11 AM
quote: So if the choice is us or them, then fuck them, I am for us.
One might claim you’ve just become one of them, Slick Willy. I think maybe the key point here is whether you view this as a premeditated attack against the U.S., or just a reaction that one might naturally expect as a result of U.S. policy. I don’t think anyone here would seriously suggest the U.S. do nothing. I find it hard to believe that some people like me might whine and complain about [insert your own war criminal here] getting off and yet turn around and not expect someone to be held accountable for the murder of countless thousands in New York. But who the hell am I? The only vision of “justice” I can see is the examples I have around me: people should be tried and jailed for this. Didn’t they just catch someone in connection with an Air India, or Lockerbie bombing not long ago? Yeah, the justice is slow, and yeah, the justice may never attained, but what’s the alternative? Can you try and convict a belief system? And if you do, would you then come after me because my beliefs differ from yours? Can you “surgically strike” things so your nation gets “closure”, and then expect everything to be better after that? Should we resort to a war of attrition? I think this event nicely ties in almost everything that has been debated on this board. [ September 12, 2001: Message edited by: clockwork ]
From: Pokaroo! | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
WingNut
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1292
|
posted 12 September 2001 02:15 AM
As a disclaimer, I find what happened today to be a terrible atrocity committed against humanity. Any act of violence, committed by any one for any reason is deplorable and inexcusable. We can rationalize our acts of violence. So can they. So can any one. However, I found the following on indymedia, and I think it is worth repeating, here:September 11, 2001 Scream in silence. Yeah, it’s a line from a Green Day song. It’s what I have been doing all day and I don’t want to hold it in anymore. I feel like I’m drowning in questions. Each question brings about more questions and so on and so on. I can relate to the hippies in the 60’s that used the term “heavy”. Cause these questions carry a lot of weight. And a lot of it is stuff that is so disturbing. “Dad! Turn on the TV, it’s sooooo amazing…..” That’s how I woke up this morning. “What’s so amazing?” I ask my 6 year old son. “A plane just blew up a building!” Huh? A plane? “Jake, you’re not supposed to watch movies in the morning before school”. “No Dad, just turn on the TeeeeeVeeeee…” I watch the building fall to the ground and it hits me square in the gut that this is not a movie, not some cool Hollywood graphics. It real. It’s a real building. A building that I’ve actually stood in before. My hands start to shake and my legs get weak. As I sit on the edge of the bed tears start to run from my eyes. And the questions start rapid fire in my brain. --Bush vowed to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice as he stopped in Louisiana to talk to the nation. ``Make no mistake, the United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts'' the president said. Why did this happen? How could this happen? Okay, so that took a few milliseconds for my brain to come up with those. More questions. Am I really surprised? Wasn’t it just a matter of time? Haven’t we brought this upon ourselves with our arrogant American lifestyle? Is this a payback for the war we waged in Iraq and the bombs we’ve been dropping on them ever since? Why doesn’t the news call it a terrorist attack when the United States uses military jets and missiles to blow up a pharmaceutical plant in the Sudan or civilian targets in Iraq. Is it all in the name of oil, so that I can pull up to the pump in my 12 mile to the gallon truck? Is it true that the United States uses several times its share of the world’s resources? Are the vast majority of people on Earth suffering from global capitalism while we sit in our big houses running the air conditioning watching our big screen TV’s? Lot’s of questions. But hey, that’s just scratching the surface man. I’ve got ten more for each those. And then ten more for the ten more. And those aren’t even the tough ones. Tough is, how do I explain this to my kids? Or better yet- am I willing to do anything to change it? Here’s a good one- if I do nothing to change, how do I explain that to my kids…? If you have any answers I could sure use them because from where I sit it sure feels like I’ve got blood on my hands. --The only way we can increase security is by preventing the United States military and multi-national businesses from exploiting people from Nicaragua to Indonesia. So long as the United States bleeds other countries of their resources with the combined might of the Pentagon and Wall Street banks, everyone in the United States is a potential target. These attacks are the natural and logical conclusion of global capitalism. We must break the cycle by demanding our rights as humans and confronting the upper classes that are pillaging people and resources alike around the globe. On the carpet are my kids shoes. They’re a pair of Vans. Got them for $29 and it was buy 1 get 1 free. How about that coffee table from Costco? That was pretty cheap too. Wonder where they were made? And under what conditions? Probably not in a climate controlled room with ergonomic seating. Why don’t we think about stuff like this every day? How can it be OK for so few to benefit while so many suffer? How did I get so numb? What the hell is important anymore? As the hours pass, I watch the screen and the same talking heads spit out the same old crap. I look around at my big house, nice green lawn, swimming pool, couple of new cars in the driveway. Happy shiny people. Do any of us really stop to think at what cost this all comes? Maybe today would be a good time to start ‘cause someone just gave us a hell of a warning. [ September 12, 2001: Message edited by: WingNut ]
From: Out There | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
stile
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 659
|
posted 12 September 2001 02:30 AM
No, I am not a heartless bastard. Of course I feel for the innocent who were killed.My point is that there is SO MANY innocents being killed all around the world every day, and for so many years this has been happening. And as Wingnut's article so eloquently points out - we in North America sit on our ergonic chairs comfortably reading the stock market reports and not spending one second of our luxurious days caring for those who suffer (and have suffered) so that we can be so comfortable. Yes it is a tragedy, and violence is a terrible thing, but the US needed a slap in the face to say: you can't keep raping the world cost free. Unfortunately, I fear the slap in the face will only backfire.
From: B.C. | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
WingNut
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1292
|
posted 12 September 2001 02:33 AM
Trisha, it is never a country. I asked before, if it were turn out to be a Canadian, would the U.S. be justified in bombing our cities?Some U.S. reactionaries are demanded a nuclear retaliation. If it was bin Laden, the Afghan people are suffering terribly under the Taliban regime. Why should they pay for the policies of a government they do not even support? Do they not suffer enough already? Do you know Afghan woman are not allowed to work? Even if they are widowed or unmarried? They are forced to beg? Their windows must be covered to prevent them from being visible from the street. They are denied schooling. many are denied health care. Do we bomb them for bin Laden's actions? How is that justice?
From: Out There | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
clockwork
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 690
|
posted 12 September 2001 02:44 AM
Yeah, a little Satan he can conviently hide people in.[a CBC documentary is in my background and influenced me to say this] [ September 12, 2001: Message edited by: clockwork ]
From: Pokaroo! | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Slick Willy
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 184
|
posted 12 September 2001 04:26 AM
So I guess what you're saying is that when one country invades another without provocation, NATO countries should just turn a blind eye, even if we have economic ties with the invaded country because we don't want to get involved? Iraq wasn't some poor distraught country invaded by Kuwait. They were give channce after chance to end that invasion and use diplomacy to resolve the issues. Hussain would have none of that and promised the "Mother of all wars!" should NATO get involved. All over the world there are people who are so screwed up that no matter what they will not stop fighting. Those who flee their own countries to get away from the fighting are welcomed in our countries as refugees and helped to make their own way here. We also try to get the fighting factions to stop killing and talk with each other to resolve the conflicts. When one side refuses while the other acts in good faith and tries to resolve them we offer what is need to to protect them from their enemies so if nothing else they can fight their own battles. If anything is our fault it is that we tried to play world cop and take care of the bad guys for far to many people around the world. If you thought Americans and capitalism was bad before today, I suggest you sit yourself down and have a stiff drink because you're going to see what hell on earth is now that they are pissed right off.
From: Hog Heaven | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
WingNut
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1292
|
posted 12 September 2001 09:19 AM
quote: So I guess what you're saying is that when one country invades another without provocation, NATO countries should just turn a blind eye, even if we have economic ties with the invaded country because we don't want to get involved?
Gosh, no. I didn't say that. That would be apples and oranges. quote:
Iraq wasn't some poor distraught country invaded by Kuwait. They were give channce after chance to end that invasion and use diplomacy to resolve the issues. Hussain would have none of that and promised the "Mother of all wars!" should NATO get involved.
Yes, the U.S. was entirely unequivocal with Iraq when the U.S. ambassador, in response to the question of invasion from the Iraqi ambassador, replied: "We have no position on that." quote:
All over the world there are people who are so screwed up that no matter what they will not stop fighting.
Are you saying those people in oppressed regimes all over the world should just say "uncle?" Or which people should just stop fighting? What are they fighting against? quote:
Those who flee their own countries to get away from the fighting are welcomed in our countries as refugees and helped to make their own way here. We also try to get the fighting factions to stop killing and talk with each other to resolve the conflicts.
What fantasy world do you live in? The same one as those Afghan refugees just turned away from Australia? The same ones as the Haitian boat people deported from the U.S. during the turmoil, there? The only refugees welcome in the West, particularly the U.S., are refugees from Cuba and/or China. quote:
When one side refuses while the other acts in good faith and tries to resolve them we offer what is need to to protect them from their enemies so if nothing else they can fight their own battles.
Really? Example? quote:
If anything is our fault it is that we tried to play world cop and take care of the bad guys for far to many people around the world.
Us? Who is us? You mean U.S.? Who asked them to? The East Timorese? The cops never came. The Rwawandans? The cops never came. The Palwstinians? They haven't killed the deputy. Black South Africans? White South Africa was a democracy. The cop only arrives when his very specific interests, or prestige, is threatened. Other than that, he might even prefer the criminal to the victim such as in East Timor and South Africa. quote:
If you thought Americans and capitalism was bad before today, I suggest you sit yourself down and have a stiff drink because you're going to see what hell on earth is now that they are pissed right off.
Maybe. Half the world, however, have been quite familiar with hell on earth for decades, now. Edited to add to world cop issue [ September 12, 2001: Message edited by: WingNut ]
From: Out There | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064
|
posted 12 September 2001 08:17 PM
If you're being deliberately provocative, I2, trying to start a flamewar... well, it might work, but I sincerely hope it won't.Folks, I suggest we all do what we hope (against hope) the US will do, and when faced with such questions, exercise a little restraint. In that connection, I regret my earlier snap-back to I2 on the "dreaded issue" thread." [ September 12, 2001: Message edited by: 'lance ]
From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
N.R.KISSED
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1258
|
posted 12 September 2001 10:53 PM
Michelle: In all due respect(I'm not being sarcastic,you are nothing but gracious and even handed)I think you may be being a little unfair classifying leftist as such.I can only speak for myself but sometimes it is difficult to be always tolerant. Earlier I was accused of starting a flame war(wounded I was;poor sensitive soul that I am) due to an admittedly sarcastic response to another babbler. It's just that sometimes I am at a loss on how to respond to certain forms of rhetoric;such as when people say "I'm not racist but..." Or I'm not violent etc. In my humble opinion if you are making an argument for aggressive military response to recent events you are a war-monger. Also if someone claims that institutionalized racism no longer exists I might suggest this position is racist. This might seem a bit extreme but that's how I see it. I really do try to be more tolerant but my Fenian temper gets the best of me sometimes. I also apologize because this really doesn't have alot to do with the thread.
From: Republic of Parkdale | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
JJRosso
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 720
|
posted 13 September 2001 05:06 AM
Ian the Second, who refused to challenge the argument, asks: "So, you think that the terrorists were justified?" My answer is: I reject terrorism as it only leads to deaths of innocent people! Progress can only be achieved through political and economic education which would stop exploitation and massive poverty at home and by stopping imperialism abroad – the cause of massive exploitation and wars around the world. Secondly, terrorism generally erodes mass movements and creates fear which make people more resistant to change. Thirdly, terrorism its a boon to the ruling elite who never did like democracy and now have an excuse to further erode it and civil rights such as assembly, privacy and "due process of law". It gives the elite further excuses to extend repression under the guise of "national security"! However, as to terrorism in the poor countries where people are forced to tolerate humiliating poverty, economic plunder and police-state tactics for foreign interests that is another question. When the impoverished people attempt democracy or strive for decent conditions, they are normally murdered by "right-wing" death squads in almost all cases financed by the United States as in Colombia and dozens of other countries today. (The plight of the Palestinians are given in the topic Who's Responsible.) The conditions are imposed upon the people by their corrupt leaders serving the interests of a handful of dominant imperialist powers led by the United States. And if nations refuse to co-operate they'll suffer the wrath of the US – as Mosadegh, Lamumba, Allende and dozens of others, or Grenada, Nicaragua or Yugoslavia has experienced recently. Hence it is this betrayal of their government leaders and the forces of imperialism which impels people to strike back with whatever means are available to them! The solution to terrorism is to eliminate the cause of this foreign-induced poverty and creating democracies of the people and for the people; and economic and social equality and a nation's right to self-determination – not "rigged elections' and neoliberal concepts by intervening foreign interests. Unfortunately, it is United States in concert with its NATO allies which are undermining such concepts. They are constantly ignoring or violating international laws and treaties without being prosecuted – because of the power of the United States. US Secretary of State Colin Powell said recently, "Terrorism is part of the dark side of globalization. However, sadly, it is part of doing business in the world – business we as Americans are not going to stop doing." Noam Chomsky, in response to such as question of Ian's said: "We have a choice. We can express justified horror, or we can seek to understand what may have led to the crimes, which means making an effort to enter the minds of the likely perpetrators. If we choose the latter course, we can do no better, I think, than to listen to the words of Robert Fisk, whose direct knowledge and insight into affairs of the region is unmatched after many years of distinguished reporting." Describing "The wickedness and awesome cruelty of a crushed and humiliated people," he writes that "this is not the war of democracy versus terror that the world will be asked to believe in the coming days. It is also about American missiles smashing into Palestinian homes and US helicopters firing missiles into a Lebanese ambulance in 1996 and American shells crashing into a village called Qana and about a Lebanese militia - paid and uniformed by America's Israeli ally - hacking and raping and murdering their way through refugee camps." And much more. Again, we have a choice: we may try to understand, or refuse to do so, contributing to the likelihood that much worse lies ahead. JJR
From: vernon bc | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
wagepeace
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 114
|
posted 13 September 2001 06:01 AM
JJ is completely wrong because he fails to address the psychological requirement for retaliating: read between the lines!Every senior Bush administration official is preparing Americans for a war-footing! This marks a dramatic shift in US foreign policy and there is a psychological need for a military response: people need to feel that they are being defended. There is unprecedented support from intellegence agencies who, up until this past Tuesday would be at odds with US intellegence - old enemies are talking about cooperation, both in military and humanitarian assistance. There are some causes that are worth fighting for and this would be one of them. Moreover, I think that Americans are fully aware of what they are getting themselves into and are prepared to accept the fact that there will be American casualties. If indeed US policy in the past has been to let other countries fight for the US and support them in the way of economic and military aid, it is becoming quite clear the America is prepared to fight this one out using it's own people. From a military perspective, we are seeing the birth of a new strategy that has yet to be named. The terrorist showed that there are no longer traditional rules of engagement. I would expect that the US response will be a military one, but perhaps the tactics will change - perhaps it is going to include what I call, "plain clothed soldiers". Look for an increase in espionage and guerilla tactics from the US.
From: In a fog and on anti-psychotics | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560
|
posted 13 September 2001 12:45 PM
Good point. And another point - where's the line drawn between a terrorist and a freedom fighter? American revolutionaries were probably considered terrorists (or whatever term was popular and conveyed the same idea) at the time too. I was looking over the Mujahedin Khalq, the Iranian group who fights against what they consider (and the US considers if you look at their state reports) to be a brutal regime. Are they freedom fighters or terrorists?Well, I don't know enough about them to know, but I've seen their websites, and their main activity is publicizing atrocities committed by the state, which no one would hear about otherwise, although they have also committed violent acts too. I wonder how many of those groups are financed by the US in some way? Edited to say that the IRA is on the list, under "Continuity Irish Republican Army". The "Orange Volunteers" is on there too. You're right about the KKK though. And what about all those little militia organizations in the hills of the US? Unless they're considered to be more cultish than terrorist. [ September 13, 2001: Message edited by: Michelle ]
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064
|
posted 13 September 2001 02:15 PM
quote: 'lance, I don't think Ian was trying to start a flamewar - I think he was responding to the flameworthy command made by JJRosso to people who disagree with him to "stop your nonsense babbling". It amazes me how babblers are so often blind to rude comments and personal attacks made by the more leftist members of babble (I would say calling people's opinions "nonsense babbling" to be ad hominem), but are quick to criticize those who are not quite so leftist for their comments...
Believe me, I'm not blind to rudeness and personal attacks regardless of the source. It's got nothing to do with left or right or up or down. I just happened to miss that particular bit of nastiness, is all. Like anyone else, there are times when I don't read carefully. I'm trying to get back to my usual practice: read, think, repeat; (possibly) post; do not alter this order whatever the provocation.
From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
JJRosso
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 720
|
posted 13 September 2001 02:49 PM
The largest terrorist organization in the world by far is the CIA which was financed to the tune of $25 billion in the 1980s when I stopped having interest in them. The second largest terrorist group is that of the Israelis who not only have mass assassination programs against the Palestinians but do the "dirty work" of the US all over the world from previously supporting the neo-fascist aparthied regime in South Africa to aiding the Contras in Nicaragua. As my previously stated article above pointed out the imperialist nature of US capitalism, propaganda is now increasing and stirring up the public to accept more US warlike measures for retaliation -- which will invariably be contrary to all international laws. Even the CBC is promoting this warlike terrorism by constantly repeating threats by ignorant Americans who say "we should nuke all these countries who harbour terrorists back to the stone age" (paraphrased). The next step could well be to bring back the War Measures act and stop all "babble-like" comments on the internet (and on the streets). JJR
From: vernon bc | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Markbo
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 124
|
posted 13 September 2001 10:36 PM
I found an excellent article in Slate magazines explainer. Before anybody defends or tries to justify why Bin Laden should NOT be brought to justice they should read what he demands.What does Osama Bin Laden want from the U.S? This man, his organization want from the U.S. and the world something that is wrong. They want a state where anyone non islamic is not welcome. These people need to be eradicated whether they were directly responsible for the attacks or not. Clearly they are willing, able and desire to commit acts like this against the U.S. and all other non islamic citizens. We have a clear target. And the organizations that support them through funds and recruiting.
From: Windsor | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
DrConway
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 490
|
posted 14 September 2001 12:47 AM
quote: I feel the same way about all those who state they desire to commit acts such as those perpretrated Tuesday.
So you would strap all the right-wing KKK/Neo-Nazi members into the electric chair, and you would gladly have the entire Yugoslavian region pulverized into dust and you would have all the black anti-honkey militants chucked into outer space? Well, at least I can't fault you for lack of consistency.
From: You shall not side with the great against the powerless. | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
Markbo
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 124
|
posted 14 September 2001 12:52 AM
I will not let you reframe my answers. DrC you can try to put words in my mouth all day long but you will accomplish nothing. I wish to eradicate any threat to the civilian lives such as Tuesdays horrific attack on America. You don't want to see Bin Ladin's group stopped? Give one reason why?
From: Windsor | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
WingNut
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1292
|
posted 14 September 2001 01:03 AM
Markbo, you are now being inconsistent. You say we cannot meet the demands of bin Laden's group and those who sympathise with him. His demand being a state only for Islamic people free of the rest of us.So therefore you say they should be eradicated whether they participated in violence, or not. But you are unwilling to make the same statement with regard to other groups, The Aryan Nation for example, with similar demands. Why is that? I believe the terrorists responisble should be brought to justice. I do not believe in "eradicating" people who might sympathise but have not participated in violence. And my views are consistent. White supremacists who commit acts of violence should be brought to justice. Their sympathisers, in my view, ought not to be "eradicated."
From: Out There | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
DrConway
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 490
|
posted 14 September 2001 01:15 AM
quote: You don't want to see Bin Ladin's group stopped? Give one reason why?
Hello pot, I'm kettle. You're black! I didn't say I did not wish to see his group stopped, but to convict his group of the WTC attack before the evidence is in, seems to me to be straining at gnats. Besides, I'm sure there's a ton of ways to do it without wiping them out. One such would be to capture him and wing him into jail based on the conviction in absentia that's already on record.
From: You shall not side with the great against the powerless. | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Markbo
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 124
|
posted 14 September 2001 03:02 AM
Hey I'm all for bringing him in to the court system.I keep saying. If he isn't responsible for this specific attack, So What? The U.S. say they have evidence of his involvement in attacks on embassies and the U.S.S. cole. Why not stop him before he attacks something else? I'm convicting him of his past statements and acts. Why do you dismiss them so easily? quote: His demand being a state only for Islamic people free of the rest of us.
You make it sound so innocent by neglecting the fact he wants Israel gone. Do you support that? You better explain why you just described the elimination of Isreal sound so innocent. quote: His demand being a state only for Aryan people free of the rest of us.
Does that sound equally as attractive to you? [ September 14, 2001: Message edited by: Markbo ]
From: Windsor | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
Markbo
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 124
|
posted 14 September 2001 10:35 AM
quote: Markob it seems you might be a terrorist. You want to "eradicate" people who are guilty of nothing more than having once had, sympathised with someone else who has had, might have had, or maybe will have a thought. I suggest you immediately eradicate yourself.
Thats NOT what I said. I am saying that terrorists should be eradicated and that countries that support, shelter or fincance them should be held RESPONSIBLE not ERADICATED Why would you want to see terrorist allowed to exist?
From: Windsor | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Victor Von Mediaboy
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 554
|
posted 14 September 2001 11:08 AM
quote: The U.S. say they have evidence of his involvement in attacks on embassies and the U.S.S. cole. Why not stop him before he attacks something else?
Without proof, any action would be an act of terrorism, IMHO. quote: I'm convicting him of his past statements and acts.
Mere statements should not be illegal. Acts must be proved. quote: You make it sound so innocent by neglecting the fact he wants Israel gone.
Merely wanting the elimination of a state should not be illegal. We cannot punish people because of their thoughts or statements. That would make us terrorists who don't have the courage of our own convictions. It would mean throwing away the spirit of the Charter of Rights (or the Bill of Rights, for Americans). We can punish people for their actions, if we can prove those they committed those actions.
From: A thread has merit only if I post to it. So sayeth VVMB! | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
WingNut
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1292
|
posted 14 September 2001 03:53 PM
Markbo, what you said: quote: This man, his organization want from the U.S. and the world something that is wrong. They want a state where anyone non islamic is not welcome. These people need to be eradicated whether they were directly responsible for the attacks or not.
So to recap, they are demanding what many white supremacist, black separtists, and others are demanding. And because of those demands, they shoeld be eradicated whether they were directly responsible or not. What you claim to have siad now: quote: I am saying that terrorists should be eradicated and that countries that support, shelter or fincance them should be held RESPONSIBLE not ERADICATED
I am glad you have begun to temper your statements. [ September 14, 2001: Message edited by: WingNut ]
From: Out There | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Markbo
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 124
|
posted 14 September 2001 03:58 PM
quote: One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.
DrC, Are you saying that the people responsible for Tuesdays could be considered "freedom fighters"??? Just semantics, wingnut. Do you think there is any type of compromise with groups that will settle for nothing less than the elimination of israel? How do you propose to deal with groups that say they will continue killing civillians whose countries support the very existance of Israel? If they threaten to kill us for recognizing the existence of Israel then that threat needs to be eradicated. [ September 14, 2001: Message edited by: Markbo ]
From: Windsor | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
flatland
recent-rabble-rouser
Babbler # 556
|
posted 14 September 2001 04:09 PM
All of these conversations about about American Imperilisim and they get what they desearve have no grasp on history throught out the world since the WILL of the people created the US.this is what I think...... A week has not yet passed from this act of war in the States, already the left wing apologists and Touchy Feely new age spiritualists are trying to create sympathy for the innocents abroad who will be affected by the inevitable American and World response. I am a 42 year old Canadian, I have grown up in a period of peace in this country because of the sacrifices of others in times of war. This is not Utopia, our rights and freedoms where paid for in the blood of warriors and innocents everywhere in the world. If the response to this tragedy is war then we must all do our part to continue to carry the torch of freedom, anything otherwise is to turn our backs on all those before us. November 11.......a date that we honour in Remembrance of our War Dead carries the message "Never Again" this is a wish from those that survived war......But ask them if they would do it again if they had to, I know the majority would say YES............... Freedom comes with a price............... The time to pay our share has arrived. Any other choice and we will loose our freedoms over time and more lives will be lost in the world that cherishes freedom over tyranny. Do you really believe that this site would excist was it not for the sacrifices of millions over the ages? for what THEY believe in? Think about it....specificly those of you between 0 and 65..........
From: Winnipeg, MB, Canada | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
Markbo
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 124
|
posted 14 September 2001 04:16 PM
quote: What does Israel have to do with this? There is no evidence that this attack is at all related to the issues involving Israel.
To quote one part of the article I posted. quote: Bin Laden is also furious about American support for Israel. He detests Jews and views the United States as the Jewish lackey. ("[Jews] believe that all humans are created for their use, and they found that the Americans are the best-created beings for that use," Bin Laden has said.) His supporters seem particularly exercised by Israel's reaction to the current intifada, Bergen says. Bin Laden also can't tolerate American alliances with moderate Arab governments in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
Osama Bin Laden has encouraged Muslims around the world to kill American civillians because of our support of Israels very existance. Israel is completely related to this attack. quote: But Bin Laden and his followers are alarming because they don't want anything from us. They don't want our sympathy. They want no material thing we can offer them. They don't want to participate in the community of nations. (They don't really believe in the nation-state.) They are motivated by religion, not politics. They answer to no one but their god, so they certainly won't answer to us.
[ September 14, 2001: Message edited by: Markbo ]
From: Windsor | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
flatland
recent-rabble-rouser
Babbler # 556
|
posted 14 September 2001 04:29 PM
knellbefore.......Do you really believe that in order to justify resistince against British Imperialisom that they should have held a referendum prior to Revoloution in 1776? Here is a perfect example of trying to judge history by todays standards and not he socioeconomic standards of the time. Get real.
From: Winnipeg, MB, Canada | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Victor Von Mediaboy
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 554
|
posted 14 September 2001 04:32 PM
Maybe. Maybe not. The logistics of such a referendum were hardly insurmountable. If you can hold national elections, you can hold a national referendum.But it is still HIGHLY spurious to claim that the formation of the United States of America was the will of the people, especially when anybody who expressed disagreement with independence risked being tarred and feathered. Get real yourself. [ September 14, 2001: Message edited by: Kneel before MediaBoy ] [ September 14, 2001: Message edited by: Kneel before MediaBoy ]
From: A thread has merit only if I post to it. So sayeth VVMB! | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
WingNut
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1292
|
posted 14 September 2001 04:51 PM
Who is insulting who, flatland?Even though we might not agree, everyone here feels a tremendous anger and sadness with regards to the events of September 11. The only area of disagreement is the nature of the response. And you might care to remember that it was the left who joined the fight against Franco's fascists in Spain and there were many on the Canadian left who volunteered and lost their lives fighting Nazism. And it was the left that led most of the resistance movements against nazism in Europe and agitated, at the cost of their lives, in Germany, against Hitler. You might choose to remember that Hitler regarded Social Democrats to be his primary political opponents. Perhaps if you choose to treat us with respect, we will repay the favour.
From: Out There | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
Judes
publisher
Babbler # 21
|
posted 14 September 2001 05:08 PM
Can we tone down the heat on this thread. This is an emotional issue with lots of passion on all sides. What's great about babble is that it's a place people can feel safe in expressing their opinion. That means lose the personal insultsFreedom of speech, Flatland, was won not only by the military struggle against Hitler in the Second World War but also by the struggles of ordinary working people against their own governments for a variety of rights. That's not to mention the peoples all over the world who rose up against colonialism. It's a good thing too that people are posting for the first time on this subject. Rather than asking "where have you been," how about making some suggestions for keeping civil discussion on babble. That's my two sense for now.
From: Toronto | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
WingNut
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1292
|
posted 14 September 2001 05:26 PM
Troubled, please visit the folowing site:http://cagle.slate.msn.com/news/attack/11.asp Look at the cartoon with the caption "The nly good Islamic Militant" And tell me, where have we seen that sort of image and read or heard those words before? edited to correct link. [ September 14, 2001: Message edited by: WingNut ]
From: Out There | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
troubled
recent-rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1366
|
posted 14 September 2001 05:42 PM
In reference to what I feel that cartoon (which was pulled by the way) Gosh, let me see... Oh you must be referring to past racial injustices perpetuated by Hitler wannabees. Let me ask you a question. What happens in America today when god forbid something of this vile nature takes place? For example the dragging deaths in Texas? I would like to think we learned a thing or two from our past. And by the way, what gives you the assurance that I am not a minority? Trust me, past injustices by the federal govt. hold no weight in a time like this. My local Parish just held a multi ethnic, multi denominational vigil and we were all there represented, christian, muslims, jewish, hindu, native american, you name us we were there, AS AMERICANS. Like I said past injustices are just that, the PAST. Tuesday morning began a new era, the FUTURE!
From: MN USA | Registered: Sep 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
WingNut
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1292
|
posted 14 September 2001 06:03 PM
Troubled, I truly hope you are right. Then perhaps something great could come form this tragedy. But I would urge you to visit the newsgroup soc.culture.afghanistan see the past presently in action. And keep in mind, while you are there, the newsgroup was created by Afghans who oppose the Taliban regime and promote peace.Edited to include the following: The image according to my browser, has not been pulled. It is here: [ September 14, 2001: Message edited by: WingNut ]
From: Out There | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|