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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Road Walker who wrote (182616)	2/14/2004 2:03:26 PM
From: tejek	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1576949

Bin Laden may not be cornering the rap market just yet, but this only goes to show how the al-Qaeda brand has taken in the collective consciousness of many. A few months ago, the Rand Corp - a think-tank sympathetic to the US industrial-military complex that boasts Pentagon chief Donald Rumsfeld as one of its former directors - published an analysis of al-Qaeda by Bruce Hoffman. This was the heart of the system debating whether al-Qaeda was a concept or a virus; an army or an ideology. The author compared al-Qaeda to a bunch of fast, easily adaptable sharks. In essence, al-Qaeda was defined as an indestructible enemy because it's impossible to circumscribe it precisely. By describing the threat as inexorable, the Rand Corp could then justify relentless, inexorable repression. This is the way in which the Bush administration also sees it. But is pure repression working against an al-Qaeda now configured as a mutant virus - a constellation of autonomous cells constantly morphing into new shapes and tactics? Really disturbing article......its the whole might makes right thesis that's in play right now and al Qaeda is making the best of it. What worries me is what happens when Bush and his cohorts begin to realize we don't have enough might to make everything right. That's when things will get very dangerous. On another note......how many more bombings of Iraqi police stations will the Shiite leaders endure before they DEMAND we leave? Rebel assault routs Iraqi security forces in Fallujah, killing at least 20 and freeing prisoners By Mariam Fam boston.com ted

To: Road Walker who wrote (182616)	2/15/2004 8:38:27 PM
From: hmaly	Respond to of 1576949

John RE....Agree or disagree, an interesting read: It may be interesting, but it is stupid, in that its premises are wrong. A few months ago, the Rand Corp - a think-tank sympathetic to the US industrial-military complex that boasts Pentagon chief Donald Rumsfeld as one of its former directors - published an analysis of al-Qaeda by Bruce Hoffman. This was the heart of the system debating whether al-Qaeda was a concept or a virus; an army or an ideology. The author compared al-Qaeda to a bunch of fast, easily adaptable sharks. In essence, al-Qaeda was defined as an indestructible enemy because it's impossible to circumscribe it precisely. By describing the threat as inexorable, the Rand Corp could then justify relentless, inexorable repression. Several months ago?? The Iraq war and its buildup started 18 months ago. Besides, isn't the Rand corporation just repeating what all of the leftist, like Clooney, and Garafolous, who hate GW, and most Europeans, have said for years, that Al Qaeda in unbeatable. "Bin Laden only existed by the interaction between his personality and the al-Qaeda capacity of being a nuisance." With the Taliban out of power in Afghanistan, but now plotting a comeback, and most of al-Qaeda's leaders captured or killed, what happens to bin Laden is now largely irrelevant. Obviously, Pepe, a constant critic of American policy, must believe GW has been far more successful against Al Qaeda, than even our most optimistic Intel operatives. For the Bush administration, as well as for Musharraf's government, the current status quo is the best option. If bin Laden is killed, he instantly becomes a martyr - and mini-bin Ladens, post-bin Ladens and crypto-bin Ladens will pop up like mushrooms all over Islam. Garbage. OBL is already considered a hero by many critics of America. His continued evasion, will only serve to embolden them more. Many in the European intelligence community now agree: political violence in the Arab-Muslim world has entered a new phase. It has nothing to do with Islam as a whole. I am sure that will come as a surprise to OBL, and all of his followers. lib.ecu.edu As for a weakened, disabled al-Qaeda, it is definitely voting Bush next November. Al-Qaeda wants the Iraq occupation to be prolonged, with or without a puppet government: there could not be a better advertisement for rallying Muslims against the arrogance of the West. Isn't this the same guy, who just 10 paragraphs ago said OBL, and Al Qaeda, was irrelevant. If Al Qaeda has been so thoroughly beaten by GW, then the masses will drop their adoration for him, and go with another person or group, they feel, will be a winner. European intelligence sources confirm that al-Qaeda has no capability of carrying out a major terrorist attack on US soil remotely similar to September 11. This hypothetical attack would certainly generate a strong backlash against the Bushite regime for being unable to prevent it. HUH.. Al Qaeda is now incapable of carrying out an attack, so now when such an attack happens, Bush will be blamed. I have a feeling Pepe is Ted in disguise. This would be like help from above for the Bushites. Which is completely the opposite from what the dems believes, as most liberal rags feel the more American soldiers that die from the insurgents, the more likely GW will be defeated.