Al Qaeda does not have to strike in U.S. to wreak havoc in U.S.

[ozymandius]

This has been noted on these message boards before.

When the word comes out of Washington that Al Qaeda is going to hit us hard, it could be anywhere in the world. Such as the oilfields in eastern Saudi Arabia. Very little oil comes to us from Iraq. Nevertheless, gas prices jump when an Iraqi oil pipeline blows up. Just imagine what could happen if a significant measure of the oil we import goes up in flames.

Just a thought.

[Ready4Change]

1. Al Qaeda does not have to strike at ALL

I'm certain that some of the false alarms we've gotten have been Al Qaeda seeing if they can get this administration to terrorize the US populace for them.

And it works like a charm, because this administrations only grasp on power now is the US peoples fear of terrorists.

[indepat]

7. Would it be fair to say this cabal is doing the terrorists' work for them,

that their policies, actions, nonfeasance, and pre-emptive war are perhaps a hundred-fold or more damaging to this Republic, our Constitution than all heretofore terrorists's actions against the US or its interests worldwide?

[Ready4Change]

10. In some senses yes, in others no.

This administration didn't drop two skyscrapers in the heart if NY, NY. So in that sense they aren't as harmful as AQ has been. (Tinfoil hat theories aside.)

However, in regards to our nations influence abroad, in regard to the respect of our leadership in international circles, in our ability to lead and direct international actions, this has to have been one of the most damaging 2-4 year periods in our nations history.

Before 9/11 we had a fair amount of respect and influence abroad. Not just out of respect for our military might. Despite our many misteps and deeds during the Cold War period, we still maintained an air of fairness, decency and human rights. And after the 9/11 attacks we had a surge of support pretty well unrivaled in our history.

Now all that is gone.

I suspect we'd have a hard time getting Britain to follow our lead on any new ventures. Blair is being raked over the coals regarding Gulf War II. Nations are dropping out of the "coalition" like flies on just about any excuse. We are no longer an international leader. And our economy, despite administration rhetoric, is quesy.

That leaves only our military as a means to effect foreign policy, and not only do other nations look down on that sort of thing, it's also damned expensive.

I don't think this administration and AQ are in cohoots, or even have lines of communication. However there are several areas in which they have a strong symbiotic relationship. Both benefit from the US population being terrorized. AQ's existence provides a convienient excuse for this administrations military agenda. And this administrations attacks in the Mid-East proves AQ's assertions that the US is evil and imperialistic (at least in muslim and arabic eyes.) A never-ending war against terrorism is a win-win for both this administration and AQ.

So I don't think this administration is intentionally doing the terrorists work for them. But they sure like to inspire public fear for their own agenda's now and then, and that's just as bad.

[indepat]

11. I look at the damage done to this Republic, our Constitution holistically,

the done damage to: the environment, the fiscal soundness of the Federal government, the dollar, the future of social security and Medicare, all other safety-net type programs, our international standing and international goodwill toward us, the economy, the job market, the capital markets, the stock markets, our friends and alliances, the rule of law, especially the harm done by appointment of ideologues to the Federal courts, the UN, and the Bill of Rights including freedom of speech, the press, the right to assembly, the separation of church and state, the separation of powers doctrine, equal justice, opportunity, and protection under the law, and other provisions of the Constitution; the number of those killed and maimed in Iraq, including the Iraqis should one consider Iraqi lives as human and having value, their destroyed infrastructure, the use of DU laying waste to areas for millions of years, these are just starters so, IMHO, a one-hundred-fold estimate of their harm and damage might be a tad on the light side, for all of the above have been under assault and we likely ain't seen nothing yet, for the best is surely to come.

[Mari333]

2. And the US public will stay in denial concerning their oil dependency

everytime we buy plastic, fill up our automobiles, purchase anything made of polyethylene , we support the petrochemical companies that rule the politicians and the USA. Every moment of every day I am aware of it, every day I cringe when I see so much oil being used in over packaged products..I think of my stepson standing in Iraq as a pawn for the dependency on oil, I see 3000 people dead from 9/11 because of our dependency on oil and our need to have bases in Saudi Arabia, I see 20,000 dead civilians because of our addiction to oil and I see 900 dead soldiers because of it. I see greedy corporate fatcats sitting in luxurious suites at the Hilton sucking up profits as children are raped and sodomised via the CEO's needs to profit from it..
I see the ugliness of it all, and it makes me sick, and yesterday I just broke down crying, again, because I am so sickened by it.
dependency on oil, and no one who is a leader coming forward to decry this.
I can change how I live, but I cannot change the hearts of people who refuse to see how we are hurting ourselves as a nation as long as we allow oil companies to run our nation and our nation's policies.

[Lancer]

3. Beautifully said,

Mari. If only 25% of our elected representatives were as eloquent on this subject as you. . . and if you do hold public office, there is hope for the Republic yet.

[tom_paine]

4. Mari333, I hope your son is well. And that was beautifully said!

:hi:

This could easily be a thread...or a Letter to the Editor.

[porphyrian]

6. Good Consumers Don't Question Authority

Good Consumers think that's just being an uppity intellectual alarmist. Good Consumers know that everything will be OK if they purchase the correct antibacterial hair gel and lease a Lexus SUV. Good Consumers have already forgotten what you were talking about.

[ozymandius]

8. Thank you, Mari.

Collectively, this nation as well much of the world is tantamount to a junkie. In denial - saying that everything is going to be alright.

I think of Michael and the injustice he forcibly endures. I wish him a swift and safe return home with nary a scratch.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. Economic damage is also an aim of theirs

They know where we are vulnerable.

[americanwomanone]

9. I Agree

I have felt all along that is their top priority.