(Untitled)

[virescere]

"To leave Iraq now would be to repeat the costly mistakes of the past that led to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001," [George Bush] said.

For some reason, I think G.B. doesn't even know what led to the attacks of Sept. 11 ("they.. hate freedom" is an incorrect answer)! Pulling the U.S. military out of a middle-eastern nation certainly did not lead to

Comments

[napoleonofnerds]

They hate freedom actually is an answer, but not in the way he thinks. And leaving now would be more likely to create instability.

But I'm not dressed and have to go to noon mass in 15 minutes, so any actual explanation of that will have to wait.

[virescere]

I'm not saying anything about leaving/not leaving with this.

I'm saying G.W.'s statement at the top is nonsensical.

Whether al-Q - esque terra-ists hate freedom or not is irrelevant to their rationale for committing... acts of terrorism, I think. "Let him tell us why we did not strike Sweden, for example." - O b L

[iirriiss]

"They hate freedom actually is an answer, but not in the way he thinks."

How do you know what he thinks?

But I agree with: "..leaving now would be more likely to create instability."

I think Bush does know what led to the attacks of Sept. 11. Maybe you don't. "'they.. hate freedom' is an incorrect answer" No, it is a very possible correct answer. A lot of people don't see that because they take freedom for granted or can't imagine what it is like without it.

[virescere]

If it is a very possible correct answer then it then raises the question of "Why America?" We're certainly not the only nation with 'freedom'.

Like I posted above, Osama bin Laden's own words: "Let him tell us why we did not strike Sweden, for example."

The situation as I see it:

-Bush explains why Muslim extremists are waging war on U.S.

-Muslim extremists explain why Muslim extremists are waging war on U.S.

There is a notable difference between the two explanations and there is much reason to believe Bush's explanation is contrived in a useful / political way (Americans value freedom to the utmost - "Freedom is under attack" - Americans react in useful way). It is an explanation that clears America of any potential blame, paints the enemies in a way that destroys any idea that they are rational/with legitimate cause, ie, they are "barbaric".

[virescere]

Relevant quote from Republican Rep. Ron Paul:

"Unfortunately, the biggest failure of our government will be ignored. I’m sure the Commission will not connect our foreign policy of interventionism - practiced by both major parties for over a hundred years - as an important reason 9/11 occurred. Instead, the claims will stand that the motivation behind 9/11 was our freedom, prosperity, and way of life. If this error persists, all the tinkering and money to improve the intelligence agencies will bear little fruit."