Hawk, your view seems to be that we can stamp out religious radicals to a significant extent.
Nope.. they will always be with us, whether Muslim, Christian, or any other faith.
But I prefer to keep them hiding in caves than letting them broadcast openly and freely from pulpits or mosques where they an reach a broader audience on a personal level (rather than internet or DVD videos).
Look.. this is where my primary logic stands. These guys are preaching far and wide that Allah is with them and they cannot lose. Victory will ultimately be theirs and the "infidel west" will flee before the wrath of Allah's warriors.
So long as we back down, or fail to forcefully confront such fanatics, they will be able to use our indecision, doubt, and pacifism as a sign that Allah is with them. Our isolationism and indifference will only serve them as a recruiting tool far more powerful that hunting them down like dogs with UAVs and kill/capture raids.
Cut the head off the snake and the body will wither. Kill ANY of these bastards who DARE to publicly pronounce that they seek to conquer us and impose their religious dogma.
They see us as an enemy to be destroyed and we see them as knats to be ignored or swatted away. They don't like that.. They will force us, and their followers, to pay attention to them by concocting even greater acts of violence against civilians, whether they be American, European, or even Moderate Muslims.
Again, to keep this peripherally "on topic", the economic and social costs of doing nothing now to preempt this is to condemn our children to fighting their children in the future, and expending even more blood and treasure in the process.
Afghanistan's population is about 50% under the age of 18 (thereabouts). I kind of think we have a vested interest in making sure that their future can be brighter than strapping on an explosive vest and seeking martyrdom.
That's the lesson I gained out of 2 years in Iraq. We're there for the sake of their children, and ours.
Again.. go back and watch that video of the Hamas leader. He's espousing the very same thing that every one of these other Muslim militants are declaring as their intent.
Hawk |
