posted on August 21, 2005 06:13:53 AM new
By Jim Miklaszewski
Correspondent
NBC News
Updated: 7:49 p.m. ET Aug. 19, 2005
WASHINGTON - U.S. and foreign intelligence officials tell NBC News they have credible intelligence that insurgents in Iraq have active plans to launch a massive offensive early next week — timed to coincide with the possible draft of an Iraqi constitution on Monday.
According to the officials, terrorists would launch as many as 20 simultaneous suicide bombings, mostly in Baghdad. The plans also include heavy rocket and mortar attacks against U.S. and Iraqi government offices inside Baghdad’s Green Zone, against the U.S. military at Baghdad International Airport, and at Abu Ghraib prison.
U.S. officials say the offensive was planned for early this week but was put on hold when Iraqis failed to come up with a draft constitution.
At the same time, some Pentagon officials now acknowledge that the two-and-a-half-year insurgent war has turned Iraq into a terrorist training camp.
U.S. intelligence indicates Islamic militants from several African nations — Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan and Somalia — travel through Syria into Iraq, where they get hands-on training in roadside and suicide bombings, assassinations and kidnappings as well as counter-surveillance and counter-intelligence against military targets, constantly changing their tactics to counter American defenses.
“They can change within seven to 10 days,” says the U.S. Marine commandant, Gen. Michael Hagee, “That’s pretty darn good. We’re going against a thinking enemy.”
And Pentagon officials now fear those freshly trained terrorists are taking the deadly lessons they learn in Iraq to other countries. U.S. intelligence indicates many of the militants are returning home or slipping into Europe, where they may join existing terrorist groups or create and train new cells of their own.
That’s exactly the opposite of what the Bush administration had in mind when it invaded Iraq.
“Instead of going in to eliminate Iraq as a source of terrorism, Iraq now has a stronger terrorist presence than it did when Saddam Hussein was in power,” says NBC News terrorism analyst Roger Cressey.
A new army of terrorists now being trained could remain a threat long after the U.S.-led war in Iraq is over.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on August 21, 2005 06:39:40 AM new
Yes it does seem he enjoys posting these articles of "Good news" when it is likely some of our brave men and women will die.
This is not good news and more reason that we need a timeline of departure and force the Iraqi's to take more the security responsibilities.
Main Entry: pa·tri·ot
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&t, -"ät, chiefly British 'pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests
patriot
A noun
1 patriot, nationalist
one who loves and defends his or her country
You can't be patriot and a dissident. You are not defending or supporting this country.
So the left needs to stop this BS they are "patriots", you are dissidents.
Ron
[ edited by WashingtoneBayer on Aug 21, 2005 06:42 AM ]
posted on August 21, 2005 06:04:46 PM newlogan - This is the SECOND article that you've posted that has already been posted and discussed here.
Spoken like a true dictator. Are you trying to control what other people post here Linda?
I will post what I want, when I want it. If you don't like it Linda, that is too bad.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
----------------------------------
The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
[ edited by logansdad on Aug 21, 2005 06:05 PM ]
posted on August 21, 2005 06:06:17 PM newHow sad you are, logan....the one who said he'd never volunteer to serve our Nation.
Spreading more of your lies again Linda. Now please post the thread where I said that if you can.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on August 21, 2005 06:20:17 PM newYou can't be patriot and a dissident. You are not defending or supporting this country.
Ron, it is time to come up with another "catch phrase". You keep using the same old tired phrases that were used in the 60's when people spoke out against the Vietnam war.
Can't anyone from the Republican party think of anything new?
If you were around in the 1770's, American would be under British control today
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on August 21, 2005 06:33:17 PM new
LOL,
Please go and read about the American Revolution. They were Rebels until victory was won.
Union Soldiers in the Civil War were not called patriots, Confeferate Soldiers were not called patriots. But based on your idea, then the Confederates would of been the patriots.
You can try to color however you want, but doesn't change the definition.
posted on August 21, 2005 06:33:29 PM new
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American Public."
posted on August 21, 2005 06:46:47 PM new
I don't care if you critize the President, but don't call it what it is not. Even if Ol' Teddy thought it so.
You people act like being a dissident is a bad thing. Where would Soviet Union be without dissidents? Where would India be without dissidents?
Dissidents are not rebels.
Oh and kira he made that statement while in the Progressive Party not Republican. In fact he was not even President. Your quote is a little misleading.
"The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else."
"Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star", 149
May 7, 1918
Ron
[ edited by WashingtoneBayer on Aug 21, 2005 06:53 PM ]
posted on August 21, 2005 06:57:32 PM new
"Why, of course, the people don't want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship... voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."
posted on August 21, 2005 07:03:34 PM new
LOL, well at least you have the quote right.
I disagree with where you are trying to go, as we have been attacked. We lashed out and in our zeal we lashed out at anything that even looked like it might be bad. That is war. Like or not.
posted on August 21, 2005 07:12:02 PM new "All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."
Yes, that's the propaganda that was used to indoctrinate and manipulate the American people just as Hitler indoctrinated the Germans sixty five years ago.
posted on August 21, 2005 07:12:13 PM new
And besides that, THIS President has said over and over that everyone has a right to speak their minds.
Mentioning Ted Roosevelt....many things about the objections to these two wars remind me of just what he faced in his time.
"Scholars differ also in their views of Franklin D. Roosevelt's use of the war power. Critics accused him of lying to the public in trying to involve the nation in Second World War. In September 1940 when he gave fifty over-age destroyers to Britain in exchange for bases, they called it an act of war and him a dictator. These dissenters comprised a minority. Much of the public applauded his initiative".
"When Japan attacked, Roosevelt properly asked congress to recognize that a state of war existed. Congress did so but opponents charged he had brought the nation into war through deception. The public disagreed, rallying around the president, the flag, and the war effort. With augmented power voted by congress, he waged war with virtually dictatorial authority."
"Through it all, most of the public praised him while his intellectual defenders formed a kind of cult that exalted the strong presidency and belittled the constitutional authority of congress."
------------------
Strong leaders don't start nor stop wars according to the most recent 'polls'. They do what they believe is in the best interest of this Nation.
There's always been opposition to all the wars.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on August 21, 2005 07:16:50 PM newI disagree with where you are trying to go, as we have been attacked. We lashed out and in our zeal we lashed out at anything that even looked like it might be bad. That is war. Like or not. .
The lethal mistake was lashing out blindly at the wrong enemy with no planning. What good did that do? I believe that wise men should study their enemies first and find their weak points and then act on that knowledge.
And you disagree with that and think acting out blindly is better? What does that accomplish in the end except for loss of manpower, equipment and the slaughter of many innocent people and destruction of a country as well as a big waste of money?
posted on August 21, 2005 07:21:07 PM new
We were attacked by terrorists...We were not attacked by Iraq although we were told that Saddam had Weapons of Mass Destruction ready to fire in forty five minutes.
posted on August 21, 2005 07:21:39 PM new Yes, that's the propaganda that was used to indoctrinate and manipulate the American people just as Hitler indoctrinated the Germans sixty five years ago.
LOL, helen actually thinks that the American people were manipulated and indoctrinated and i guess she thinks also that we weren't attacked.
posted on August 21, 2005 07:22:30 PM new
We were attacked by terrorists...We were not attacked by Iraq although we were told that Saddam had Weapons of Mass Destruction ready to fire in forty five minutes.
And of course that was a LIE.
[ edited by helenjw on Aug 21, 2005 07:23 PM ]
posted on August 21, 2005 07:24:46 PM new
At the time it wasn't blindly and most Americans wanted blood, we didn't care whose really.
Bad intell and an inept UN caused Iraq to be invaded. Saddam had many chances to avoid it and did nothing. UN could of and should enforced the resolutions on Iraq, left it to the US. So what if no WMDs were found, doesn't mean they were never there and no one can prove differntly.
I support the timeline idea of a withdrawl always have. I believe that is where the mistake is being made. But I support this President for the most part not all.
posted on August 21, 2005 07:26:07 PM new
oh brother.....here we go with kiara giving her pro-saddam speech.
She refuses to recognize that saddam was financially supporting terrorists AND hated America. BUT.....she'll continue on with her anti-American garbage.
=---------------------
Main Entry: pa·tri·ot
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests
patriot
1 patriot, [b]nationalist
one who loves and defends his or her country[/b]
-------------------
You can't be patriot and a dissident. You are not defending or supporting this country.
I couldn't agree more.
So the left needs to stop this BS they are "patriots", you are dissidents.
Exactly!!! They can enjoy all the 'free speech' they want....they're still not supporting this country.
Ron
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on August 21, 2005 07:44:56 PM new
lindak, I have a differing opinion than you do and why not accept it instead of trying to spread propaganda and lies that I support Saddam or that I'm anti-American? I have never supported Saddam, nor did I even mention him here.
I love America and my words are here for everyone to see. I do not approve of Bush, that does not make me anti-American. I'm sorry that you fail to recognize that not everyone feels the same about Bush as you do.
posted on August 21, 2005 08:00:24 PM new
Has very little to do with this President, kiara. I keep telling you that...but it's not being absorbed.
The U.N, which both you and helen have previously posted supporting...this 'world' view......was the one telling saddam to come clean.
NOT ONCE have I EVER seen you nor helen post that is saddam had done as requested this war could have been avoided.
NOT ONCE. You both, instead, put the blame on this President....who was only enforcing what the UN had been instructing saddam to do for 13 years.
If you believe you're NOT pro=saddam, then why are you always blaming an American president rather than saddam.....the one who could have prevented this war? Why do you NEVER put ANY blame at his feet?
And, my answer is because you'd rather continue smearing a man you dislike politically and would LOVE to see out of office. The world had told saddam, not the US, that he was breaking UN resolutions again and again and again. But somehow in your and helen's thinking...all that's this President's fault.
It was saddam's fault. Try putting the blame where it actually belongs. Try grasping that HAD saddam cooperated....at any point during those same 13 years....we wouldn't have gone to war.
See...just as with parents....some actually mean what they say....[rep] and some will talk away, threatening through eternity. [dems] Whether they see any progress or not.....talk...talk...talk...and accomplish absolutely nothing.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on August 21, 2005 08:08:45 PM new
Logan can you believe the SHAMELESS LIAR old woman Linda_K said these words. "But this just proves my previous statements about how the dems constantly 'twist' things around."
I guess that was her answer to you asking to prove her lie about you. Since she can't back up her LIE she "constantly 'twist' things around."
posted on August 21, 2005 08:13:09 PM newThe U.N, which both you and helen have previously posted supporting
lindak, I don't believe I've ever discussed supporting the UN on these boards.
You have your beliefs as to the war in Iraq and I have mine. We have opposing opinions. I'm not asking you to change your mind. I will speak for myself here, I don't need you telling others what I've said here and what I believe or who I support because you usually twist it to suit your own agenda, such as saying that I made a pro-saddam speech here when there isn't one.
posted on August 21, 2005 08:19:22 PM new
Oh...and on the Linda won't answer logans questions... it's because it's a two way street, imo. And he has refused to answer several of mine. So I will return the favor. That's all that is.
But he is the one that wouldn't answer my questioning him on whether he said that or not. And we certainly haven't seen/read him deny it. He's just playing Linda Blair's games.....don't answer the question, then turn it around and imply everything else....but never answers the question directly.
And logans also wouldn't say if he'd put his hand on his heart and say our National pledge of allegiance to our country, and mean it, either. I think even you would say you'd do that much. But he wouldn't.
Lip service about being a patriot/loving America, doesn't cut the mustard. The proof is in ones actions/statements, imo.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on August 21, 2005 08:25:46 PM new
Mark Twain:
Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide against your conviction is to be an unqualified and excusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let me label you as they may.
posted on August 21, 2005 08:35:53 PM new
lindak, I blame Bush & Co and that does not make me pro-saddam or anti-American. But I can see that you labeling me that way is the easiest way out for you because you realize that I am secure in my beliefs and all your lies and threats have failed to run me off the board. It's okay, I understand.
It was saddam's fault. Try putting the blame where it actually belongs. Try grasping that HAD saddam cooperated....at any point during those same 13 years....we wouldn't have gone to war.