<OT> Re: we shall remember them

[David A. Bandel]

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On Sun, 20 Oct 2002 07:56:28 +1000
begin  Keith Antoine <kantoine at bigpond.net.au> spewed forth:

[snip]

This now really needs to go to another list.  However, I must comment
(inappropriate as it is).

> 
> I must be careful not to let the thread become self-replicating and
> annoy others on the list. However we have some reservations re Bush and
> Iraq. Not that Saddam should not be taken out legally but that it is not
> seen that a DEMOCRATIC nation that many look up to, actually becomes an
> agressor. I remember Chamberlain and THAT piece of paper "Peace in our
> time", that was blinkered appeasement on a grand scale. We must be
> morally in the right. But that will not be the way Muslim nations will
> see it.

Pacifists believe that by disarming, you show your peaceful intent and
others will follow suit.  Any child can tell you that's poppycock.

Radical Muslims (in fact a large portion of the middle east) thinks you
are weak if you don't show strength (force).  The Shah of Iran's ousting
is proof.  Their culture is wildly different.

The only way to get the attention of these terrorists is to not back off. 
We need to be ready to respond rapidly, more violently than they and be
willing to push hard to eliminate them.  This is the only way to win this.
 I've studied terrorism for most of my 20 years in the US military.  I
wish I could say just by showing strength (having a strong military) you
could win (or at least make them think twice).  Unfortunately, only by
showing you are more than ready to use it, using it, and keeping the
pressure on these radicals is the only way.  If they're running, they're
not fighting.

Remember this:  to a radical Muslim, you and I (non-Muslims, and in many
cases Muslims who don't belong to the radicals' sect and hold their
specific beliefs) are not human, and slaughtering us is not only OK (as in
it's not against their God's law) it is necessary and good (they win
points with their God for killing us).  Until religions that condone
butchery are eliminated (that could include radical Catholics as well),
we'll always be in this mess.  Hate mongers will always have a way to get
their message out via religion.  If there truly is a God, (s)he must be
stunned at the atrocities committed in his(her) name.

> 
> As for aussies being dragged in to the mess, we were in the so called
> mess as soon as we sided with the US on Sept 11th and mourned with you.
> verbally we have backed US policy 100%, but there is a ground-shift with
> Bush vitrol. He is appearing here to be making it personal and doing the
> Teddy R/Churchillian big stick on other nations. I think he needs to
> give it a rest for a short while and let others catch a breath.

If you have a better answer, I'm sure Bush would be happy to hear it.  But
I don't think Saddam and the terrorists will stop just because you asked
them to.  History says otherwise.  Roosevelt and Churchill are not what
sensible civilized folks want as role models, but unfortunately, their big
stick methodologies brought results.  After 20 years military service I
don't condone military action except where I see no alternative.  We
reached that point years ago, only now out leaders are beginning to
understand.

Ciao,

David A. Bandel
- -- 
Focus on the dream, not the competition.
		-- Nemesis Racing Team motto
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