While we're on this horrible subject.....our guys are being left in the streets and having their flacks and things stolen from their fallen forms......

pure wicked foul deeds being done over there....

The cold war preoccupied itself with global disarmament of nukes.....bit hilarious that the true destructor of civilization will be 'small' arms.

Nothing will change while any form of lethal 'device' is still accessible to the public at large......any public at large.

No, that isn't going to happen, so we are doomed to enjoy the ride....live by the sword, die by the sword, dream of a world WITH no sword.

I was under the impression that Islam was a peaceful religion. How does one take their own faith and twist it to condone killing innocent people? That would be like a version of the Holy Bible being published that says "thou shall kill" and "dishonour thy father and mother". Murderers are murderers, plain and simple, and these murderers will face their God just like the rest of us. I would just love to see it on Al-Jazeera when they are told there are no virgins nor eternal life for their actions.

Now for a personal political opinion, which I try not to impress: Why don't we all get the hell out of there? We are not wanted, quite the opposite and we are dying daily. As Republican as I am and as much as I detest Kerry and his views I have to say that I have no more respect for Bush. After 9/11 I was so proud of him and now I'm just confused. Who do you vote for when neither party is appealing?????

I think it's about time we made Iraq a parking lot and build a new Mall. God knows we need another one.

On another note...it's absolutely ridiculous to think we're going to somehow rid the world of terrorists. The one thing this war/occupation has accomplished is create more terrorists, and at great expense in lives and money. As long as you oppress people you will have terrorists.

We should have left Iraq as soon as we found the rat in the hole.

In addition to this, and according to "The Bush Administrations Public Statements on Iraq" which was prepared for Representative Henry Waxman, there have been 237 misleading statements and lies (and counting) as to why we should be in Iraq.

It is also believed that the original document Bush used to justify his going to Iraq was forged.

Grab on to your sock...we're in for a bumpy ride!


[Message Edited]

Fr the record, Al Jazeera is not tied with Al Queda. Quite opposite actually.  While Al Queda is a bunch of islamist extremist, Al Jazeera is trying to adopt a more modern philosophy. Al Jazeera is actually banned in a nunch of country, because it is too liberal (in their position regarding women for example). Al Jazeera is not so biased. Why don't you go read a bit on Al Jazeera's site, they have a English version of their site.

They are a news station. If terrorists or any criminal sends them a tape, they look at it and air it if they judge it news worthy, and "airable". They would not air the tape of a beheading, for example, any more than CNN or Fox would. Heck, if CN  got their hands on a tape from a well known serial killer, I'm sure they would air it, as long as it's "clean".

Anyway. Yes, Al Queda are a bunch of criminal arseholes. But shooting lets not shoot the messenger, and also lets try not to place every Arab or Muslim in the Al Queda basket...

let me add to that..

first off there is a documentary hitting a few theaters this summer (film festival indepedent winner) about al jazeera, which seeks to dispell a lot of the misconceptions about the station. a reporter basically sits down in there office and watches what goes on, and interviews the people that work there. i urge everyone to check it out..

6 months ago i thought the same thing, the station was just a front for terrorist organizations.. how else could they be the only one with all this news, how could they be involved in everything that goes on, why would it be only musilim?

fact is they are simply the only ones in the position to BE THERE reporting what goes on. in an area that is noted for state controlled telivions and manipulation on speech by the governments, al jazeera is the first news agency to run into the area without a dictator over their heads and show the news as it is. they are the first organization to report on politics, religion, the role of women, and of course the war - but without state control. they are trying to get an as-is word out to people who previously havn't known of such freedom of speech. yes, i dont like the dead bodies and seemengly biased information. but i don't believe it is any different then the way CNN dramatasizes everything. they are doing a job that is HARD to do in the area. being muslum, and the largest news agency in the area, they will of course receive all of the letters and tapes from alqueda and other organizations. but don't be suprised when al queda turns on them, like they turn on every other muslum government, or organization, when the news agency makes some report they don't like.

i still have my concerns about them, but i've recently open my eyes a bit to them to say 'its not what i think it is'. lets cut them some slack

I don't think it is religion at all. It is power.

They use the religion to control them. It has been used that way for centuries, take a religion and twist its ideals to control the populace. The more igrnorant the people the more willing they are to follow that wacked out religion.

It is so sad that they kill innocent civilians the poor guy didn’t deserve to die like that. It is so sad, especially for the family. As sad and tragic as it is, I think that these killings are short term tragedies, in the long term, the whole world will benefit from a free Iraq without Saddam Hussein in power, or Zarqawi taking his place. Looking at the bigger picture, I don’t believe that roadside bombs, car bombs and beheadings can strip control from the coalition. As unfortunate as these incidents are, they are not going to make a difference in the handover of sovereignty and the training of Iraqi troops who will eventually be responsible for cleaning out their own country, our troops don’t want to stay there any longer than necessary, and no one wants to steal the oil, and even if they did, the Iraqis could only hope they get a fairer shake then they received from Saddam Hussein and Kofi Anons Oil for Palaces program. Eventually someone will finger Zarqawi, (a member of Al Qaeda), who has been in Baghdad long before the war. Of course, there was no relation or connection between Hussein and Al Qaeda.

Saddam paid “suiciders” (a word I learned from W) 10,000 dollars for each suicide bomber. He displayed his intention to support terror organizations openly, and he celebrated Sept 11th openly. Now he is gone. If US and coalition troops weren’t on the ground, Zarqawi and Al-Sadr would have strong armed their way into power, and then the whole thing would be just as bad or even worse than it was under Hussein. Zarqawi shocked us all with gruesome beheadings and vicious car bombings and the ghoulish murder of contractors in Fallujah, imagine him in charge of Iraq. Hopefully Zarqawi will end up where he belongs, under the wings of American justice which will promptly drop 500 pound bombs on his head, courtesy of a revolted nation.

What choice was there but to send troops to Iraq? Saddam Hussein had to go. Ground force has to remain it is the only thing preventing Zarqawi and other thugs from taking control of Iraq, Most Iraqis realize that if America is not successful, they will end up under Zarqawis thumb, that is why they are lining up to become soldiers and cops even though they are being attacked by car bombings. The whole thing has cost a lot but it’s not in vein. And it doesn’t matter if the Iraqis are grateful or not, this is for us as much as them.

In reality, what Americans did to liberate Europe was for us, just as it was for them. The D-Day invasion inevitably saved the US from subjugation. The ingratitude of the French or Germans is of no real consequence, they are free, and they are no threat to us. The same outcome for the Middle East would be just fine. If they are ungrateful, so be it, just so long as a free democracy emerges that is stable and no longer a threat.

As far as al jezzera is concerned, if a German version of al jezeera was operating in Germany during WWII it wouldn’t have lasted long! A German Al Jezeera would have been carpet bombed everywhere and anywhere it attempted to transmit, because it is not a news agency, it is a tool of propaganda. The propaganda campaign of Al Jezeera has harmed US-Arab relations with lies and distortions.

You make sense.

Very will written Anthony R. By what I read, are you from europe? If you are, from what I have read on the web your view is not the popular one. It was a pleasure to read it though, and I agree with it. I wish more people thought things through like this, Europeans and Americans. Few people take the time to think things through.

I must agree with Anthony on his deductions regarding Iraq. I think it is important to add that as we sit in our little cubicles typing on our personal pc's, it is nearly impossible to get a grip on the bigger picture. We, as simple citizens, could not possibly have enough information at our disposal to make any grand decisions about what is "correct" for the world, or for that matter, the US.

Which brings me to my next point, look at our sources of information...Hype, total Hype. The true facts are impossible to discern from sources like ABC News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox, etc... That is because each of these sources are trying to sell you something. And after 15 years in broadcasting, I can assure you that whatever gets you to watch TV is going to be what is on TV. The simple facts do not matter. Money does. And the money is coming from advertisers. And how much a broadcast facility can charge is determined soley by the type of viewers and number of viewers that watch at any given time. Why do you think CNN will spend 7-8 minutes promoting a story that will air in "The next segment" only to do a 10 second reader that has no more information than the bumps and promo's did. Believe me, american networks are very good and the bait and hook scheme. As far as I know there simply isn't any reliable, accurate, unmotivated source of information in the world anymore.

Al-Jazeera is no different than any other facility. Other than thier motivation. Thier stories are just as tainted as the American stories.

If you want an accurate depiction of what is going on...then you are going to have to do your homework. Watch several sources. From several companies. BBC, ABC, FOX, Al-Jazeera...there are many others. Listen to what the "officials" are saying and don't fall for what the reporter is telling you. Pay attention, do your homework and understand the bigger picture and you will be surprised at what you find.

Religion has nothing to do with it. Fanaticism at its best. None of the Holy books condone murder, and all condemn it. "Religion" is just a title to these bastages. >

I strongly disagree.

The problems in Irak are just starting.  As sad as it may sound, getting rid of Hussein opened a can of worms that will only be closed when he is replaced by another ruthless dictator. Democracy is impossible in that region.  Too many different people want to take the power, and only a strong and ruthless leader can keep them quiet.  It's awfull, but it's the sad truth.  The US and the coalition will eventually get out of the country, and there will continue to be bombs and murders, until somebody else takes over the power for a short while, until he too is taken out by another armed group...
Going there was a mistake. And according to survey I read this morning, 54% of Americans think so too now.

And about the "ungratefull" French, obviously Anthony you know not too much about post-war France.  France was very gratefull to the US after the war.  Saying you were American in 1945, was close to saying you were God.  If relations got sour between France and the US, it happened much later (it started in the 60's).

And finally, again, I disagree about Al Jazeera. They are no better than CNN, but certainly no worse. They didn't do anything that other American networks wouldn't have done if given the opportunity.  Beyond that, Al Jazeera is a positive thing for the Arab world. One of the only private network, without any affiliation to any governement. If one thing can make the close-minded, religious fanatical Middle-East a little better, Al Jazeera can be a good start.

Paxx..you are correct about the "French" thing...but I have to disagree with you about your long term assesment of the middle east.

It is true...the problems are just begining. But to say that Democracy is "impossible" in that region is simply not true. If they give up hope, if they decide to not take control themselves, if the general public lies down and takes it...then I would agree. But I have a greater respect for humanity and it's abilities to deal with oppression. How many countless dictators have been taken down, if not by the public then by other dictators, and have lost the long-term battle for control. People have stated your point of view in regards to many other situations. Change is inevitable. Change is the only constant. Things have been oppressive there too long. Don't underestimate the people there. They are not stuiped. They are certainly passionate about thier beliefs. Good or bad. There may (will?) be a significant amount of bloodshed...but that is nothing new either.

I really don't know if it was right for the US to go in there and stir things up. Typically it gets worse before it gets better. The one thing I do know is that now we're there and we better not bail and run after what we've started. We may not be able to finish it, but we better make damn sure we don't go until we've given all we can to make it a peaceful, democratic place. However, it is ultimatly up to the people of a nation to decide how that nation will turn out.

Now, if I could just learn to spell.

ToeJo, I dearly hope with all my heart that you are right...