You're right---riveting account of a close call to slaughter on 7 flights of 250 each by Jihad nihilists.

Also in the Wall Street Journal today, same point by Michael Yon---the new strategy is successful vs jihads.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120787343563306609.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries

Posted by Anon2 on April 11, 2008 at 1:16 PM

Well, unfortunately, the past is dead and I don't think I am being over dramatic when I say that the fate of the entire human race depends on whether we remember or forget the lessons from the mistakes of those who have come before. I, like everyone, look at the world and shudder at the mess we have made. I think many people cope by choosing something small to fight for. Pick a cause that is worthwhile and just and hope someone else will deal with larger issues. The problem is that the larger issues cause the smaller wrongs and those taking care of the larger problems do so in a way to benifit themselves.

Since 9/11 I have heard so much contradictory information that I don't know what to think anymore. Talk to one respected intellectual and he will say one way. Read the book written by a second respected intellectual and all the information is completely opposite, but both can refference government documents.

Right before we invaded Iraq, I was fortunate enough to meet a woman from Iran at an acidemic conferrence. I liked her a lot. She was increddibly nice and I count myself very lucky that I was able to speak with her and learn, but I remember her telling me that she was very scared about us invading Iraq and then going straight for Iran. She was concerned about the safety of her family and I saw the tears starting to form in her eyes while she talked to me about them. I felt like scum of the Earth. I wanted so much to help her and tell her that it would be OK and that we wouldn't really invade, but I couldn't say any of that with certainty. I didn't know what to say so I started to say "I'm sorry," but she had gotten up and left.

Years later now, I think she was right to be scared and I was too dumb or blind to see it. It hit me as I watched the briefing with Congress the other day. General Petraeus said we had reduced the number of terrorists in Iraq. He can't know that. We are fighting a new kind of war. There is no longer a distinction between soldier and civilian. The ordinary guy buying apples one day could get on a bus with a bomb and blow it up the next. Anyone recall an incident with a certain security company? Even if it were true most terrorists were gone then one must ask, where'd they go and why did you let the enemy escape if they are the enemy and a threat?

The people who hate us (and are being justified in dong so on a daily basis) aren't dumb. For all our liiegal monitoring, I would bet that if these guys did not want us to know what is going on then we would not; remember bin Laden? Time is on their side because the death and distruction we caused is unforgivable and we are easy to hate, find, and kill while they plan. When Saddam died, he asked for the violence to stop and to forgive us. At the time, everyone thought religious or political martyr. However, once Iraq calms down and looks stable, we can send our forces into Iran. Saddam was asking his people to stop squabbling a minute, unite peacefully, and catch us in a pincer when we go for Iran. It will work well if we use the same invasion plan as last time we illegally invaded a country.

Someone is being duped. Asume violance stops in Iraq. We wait a few weeks and position our troops and Bush says "Iran is blah, blah, blah." Either our leaders can see and understand this new warfare, but keep fighting and tell us lies or our leaders and generals are just that dumb and think they have everything under control. Either way, this must stop. Nothing is worth this much bloodshed.

One last thought, you would think that the most scientifically advanced country in the world would have a way to detect roadside bombs, especially if we can shoot down missles. If none of our own were dying then what reason would we have to stay?

BTW, know what diversionary tactics are? Airlines, Airlines, Airlines, that's all I hear about. Failed attempts to attack airlines. Foccus attention there so we put our eggs in one basket. It's no secret we are not ready for an attack; at least, not one that won't be on an airline (if we are even ready for that).

Posted by BiteyGerbil on April 11, 2008 at 3:40 PM

Jim,

Who are these people who say the war on terror is over? I want names, please.

The straw man stuff gets old.

Posted by bpanno on April 11, 2008 at 5:23 PM

bpanno

Here are a couple who think the war is over, they think WE lost: Harry (the war is lost) Reid, Democrat "leader" of the U.S. Senate, Nancy Pelosi, Democrat "leader" of the U.S. House of Representatives.

BUT, of course, they are playing politics and trying to denegrate the current administration in an effort to "gain" political "points" with their wacked-out ANTI-war, socialist, terrorist enabling base.

GOD bless America and please protect us from enemies BOTH foreign and DOMESTIC!!

Posted by FReRydr on April 12, 2008 at 12:45 PM