Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

London 7 July 2005: Can Terrorism Be Defeated? - (time running out?)
CHRONWATCH.COM ^ | JULY 8, 2005 | JB WILLIAMS

Posted on 07/07/2005 9:03:28 PM PDT by CHARLITE

In a swift response to yet another Islamic terrorist attack, this time in downtown London at rush hour, Britain’s Prime Minister Blair stated, "It is important that those engaged in terrorism realize that our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to impose extremism on the world."

I like Tony Blair. He has been a steadfast ally of the United States on many fronts including the War on Terror. Even in the face of political malcontents at home, he remains calm, well spoken, deeply convicted in the cause of freedom and liberty, and steady at the helm. Despite great counter-pressure from his European Union partners, he stands firmly beside our commander-in-chief. But is he right in his statement?

Is the collective determination to defend our way of life stronger than the terrorists' will to kill?

I believe the prime minister’s personal determination is that strong, as is that of the current American administration. But what about the hearts and minds of the people they represent? What about the people of those European nations who have a long history of appeasement, who still argue in defense of appeasement today?

Is “defeat” even the appropriate term? When a people believe so strongly in their extreme views and desires that they are willing to kill themselves in order to take the lives of innocents, when they hate the free world so much that they will strap a bomb to the chest of their own children and send them into a defenseless market, theater, or subway, then hide behind their women and children as if this is their only value in the world…can they be “defeated”?

I’m afraid our western culture of peaceful excess and immediate gratification fatally limits our imagination in this arena. Our field of vision is limited to the prism through which we see and assess all things. We are fighting enemies that we can’t see, one to which we cannot relate, and one we can’t begin to understand. Yet we believe we can “defeat” them, which is the first clue that we don’t really understand the question.

We are not talking about fighting a nation, with its army in uniform, led by generals on a designated battlefield with rules of engagement dictated by the Geneva Convention. We are talking about individual jihadists, scattered in small cells around the globe, in every country on earth, largely undetectable until after an attack. They don’t hit our military installations; they target only the unsuspecting, the unarmed, and those unaware of the peril that awaits them on the way to work, to shop, or to watch a ball game.

Unlike a nation whose army has been bludgeoned and flanked on the battlefield, there will be no white flag signaling “defeat.” There will be no high-level negotiations between diplomats of the warring nations in an effort to reach some reasonable resolution to our differences. This time, our enemies have no state department, no negotiating team, no diplomats, and no interest in any peaceful settlement. They have no nation.

Meanwhile, we have people in our own countries who are horribly misguided, misled by anti-American, anti-Israel, anti-war, and anti-Bush and Blair administration headlines. They are people who spend so much time and energy attacking their own nation, that they have barely noticed the fact that the entire free world has a very serious problem on its hands. These are not enemies that can be “defeated.” They are enemies that can only be eliminated with extreme prejudice. and these are not average citizens prepared to win anything.

What are the odds that our collective people have the stomach for such a challenge? What are the chances that we are prepared as a nation, to do what must be done to defend our way of life, as Prime Minister Blair suggests? Every indication is that the odds are not good.

In both America and Britain, the people re-elected the current leaders, in great part on the basis of how both are fighting the War on Terror in the post-9/11 world. But in both cases, by a somewhat narrow margin, which means, both nations have a large population of people who don’t have the stomach, the understanding, or the will to win. In America, it seems that many believe we don’t even have a way of life worth defending.

People in leadership roles like Senators Dick Durbin, Teddy Kennedy, and John Kerry continually attack the administration, our military leadership, and our intelligence community. DNC chairman Howard Dean, Al Gore, and other leaders in the Democratic Party join in a barrage of politically motivated attacks intended to keep those who defend our nation, on the defensive from attacks launched within our own ranks.

The once-mainstream news media are now the megaphones for organizations like MoveOn.org, the ACLU, Amnesty International, the United Nations, and people like George Soros, all of whom see America, George Bush, and Tony Blair as the real evildoers in this world, reporters often taking their headlines from the likes of Al Jazeera.

In all of these cases, the entire focus is on their own political plight and their plan for regaining political power at home at any cost. Every initiative, including in the War on Terror, is based upon dismantling support for the Bush administration, often at the expense of the War on Terror itself.

The evidence is in and it is overwhelming. Bush opponents couldn’t care less about the War on Terror. They only care about what goes wrong and how they might exploit that to regain political power in upcoming elections. Anything they can say or do to undermine support for this administration's effort to provide security for the American people, is fair game. The casualties are just a necessary part of their political calculation.

So what are the odds that terrorism can be eliminated by nations whose people are more offended by Bush and Blair than by Bin Laden, and by people who are more concerned with their own lack of political power than the future of their own nation? These people don’t share any set of values with men like Bush or Blair, so why would they defend them? They don’t. They attack them!

The day before the attacks in London, alleged protesters at the G-8 summit in Scotland behaved more like terrorists, igniting a riot instead of staging a peaceful demonstration. Inside the building were the leaders of the eight largest industrialized nations. First on their agenda was global warming, second world hunger, and third the plight of the people in Africa, which has remained at issue for centuries. Well down the list was the issue of terrorism, until this morning’s terrorist attack in London.

The terrorists timed their attack in London to coincide with the G-8 summit. Why? While police were busy defending G-8 members from so-called peaceful protesters, terrorists moved about freely and undetected in London. What were the statements of those who immediately and proudly claimed credit for the attacks? What are their motives, and their issues of interest? Death to all western ideals - plain and simple.

Before the smoke clears in downtown London, we will hear some of our own so-called leaders recite the words of the terrorists, blaming America, Britain, and all other free nations for bringing these attacks upon ourselves. We will hear calls from within our own ranks to retreat in the War on Terror, and to negotiate with terrorists who have repeatedly and publicly stated their agenda to eradicate Israel and the western influence from the world.

Yet we think we have the will to win this war? We think we can “defeat” world-wide Islamic terrorism together?

I’m here to tell you: We are not serious about “defeating” Islamic terrorism until we first recognize that it can only be eliminated with extreme prejudice. We are not serious about winning this war until we are willing to sift through every Mosque and mini-mart in this country until we capture or kill every member of every sleeper cell. We are not serious until we stop calling criminal profiling by the improper name of racial profiling. And we are not serious until we begin holding elected officials who act or speak against their own national security interests, accountable for their ill-fated actions.

Until I see these things happening, I will predict that this war will be very long, very costly, very deadly, and in the end, unwinnable. Unlike Vietnam, we are negotiating the cost of our own freedom this time, as if it’s negotiable. Our enemies are not even at the table. We are negotiating with ourselves. They know it; in fact, they count on our sense of decency and honor as our weakness and they will exploit it, just as today’s leftists do, until that sense of decency is gone.

Blair said what he should have said this morning. I just wish all free people stood with him in that statement. Until they do, this is not a war that can be won.

I send my prayers and pledge of support to Tony Blair and the people of England this morning. I wish I could offer optimism as well.

About the Writer: J. B. Williams notes that he is a business man, husband, father, and a writer. His website is at .

J. B. receives e-mail at JBW@JB-Williams.com.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 2005; action; america; bombings; costs; islamofascism; july7; london; philosophy; strategy; terror; values; war

1 posted on 07/07/2005 9:03:29 PM PDT by CHARLITE
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: CHARLITE

Can somebody please explain why Tony Blair is in the LABOUR Party?


2 posted on 07/07/2005 9:06:10 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher (The Great Ronald Reagan & John Paul II - Heaven's Dream Team!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Aussie Dasher

because he, like our Giuliani are social Liberals to the Nth degree, but they are very strong in the areas of defense and whatnot.

Those guys are political clones.


3 posted on 07/07/2005 9:07:50 PM PDT by MikefromOhio
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: MikeinIraq

But Labour would sell out Britain's national defences in an instant. Seems strange Blair would be attracted to that.


4 posted on 07/07/2005 9:09:57 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher (The Great Ronald Reagan & John Paul II - Heaven's Dream Team!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: CHARLITE
I actually think these are the desperate acts from groups that are fizzling away into obscurity. They use the word Al Qaeda so loosely as though if it is supposed to scare people. How f*ckin original,"Secret Al Qaeda in Europe". Not so f*ckin secret when they create and advertise a stupid name. Even Zarqawi must be thinking these clowns are idiots with a name like that. My new name is "Secret Pissed Off American".
5 posted on 07/07/2005 9:13:21 PM PDT by tobyhill (The war on terrorism is not for the weak!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CHARLITE

The Brits have gotten rid of their personal weapons. They'd better hope their government makes the right moves, else they'll be the subjects of some Mullah.


6 posted on 07/07/2005 9:14:46 PM PDT by claudiustg (Go Sharon! Go Bush!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: claudiustg
we know exactly which nations support these nuts, they dont have to be in uniform for us to know where they are getting their support.

We could wipe every arab country from the face of the Earth in a single hour...

Only our self restraint keeps us from doing so.
7 posted on 07/07/2005 9:20:10 PM PDT by republican2005
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: republican2005
We could wipe every arab country from the face of the Earth in a single hour...

And what would be gained from something like that?

Does anybody ever stop to consider the cataclysmic results of such an event?

We are trying to preserve the American way of life, not create a dismal remainder of what we have today.

8 posted on 07/07/2005 9:23:42 PM PDT by Allegra (On the Rocks With Salt, Please...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Aussie Dasher

so would most of the Dems here...

Rudy was a Dem most of his life I think if I am remembering right.....

both are very adept as seeing which way the wind is blowing too...


9 posted on 07/07/2005 9:26:38 PM PDT by MikefromOhio
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: republican2005

Exactly, and that is the only way to wipe this bunch of murdering scum out. But unfortunately, we don't have the will to do it. How many more will die before the world realizes this?


10 posted on 07/07/2005 9:29:01 PM PDT by ladyinred
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: CHARLITE
If we are going to have to fight our own people in order to survive, then we'd best get to it.

The only reason they are getting away with this is because WE are allowing it.

11 posted on 07/07/2005 9:29:44 PM PDT by McGavin999
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ladyinred
Political correctness has hamstrung even Bush. When is someone going to say we have a war against Islam? What about the Sudan for Pete's sake? This nation was the chief host of Islamic terror throughout the 90s. So now we have 2 reasons to go in:

1) To stop the terrorizing of Sudanese Christians
2) To maim and destroy the terrorist networks inside the Sudan.

Maybe while we are at it we can overthrow the despotic racists that run most of Africa.
12 posted on 07/07/2005 9:49:40 PM PDT by Sam Gamgee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: CHARLITE
Can Terrorism Be Defeated? - (time running out?)
Unlike Vietnam, we are negotiating the cost of our own freedom this time, as if it’s negotiable. Our enemies are not even at the table. We are negotiating with ourselves


Hear hear or is it Here here, as the British would say.

Time is not on our side.

We have been kinder/gentler/compassionately wasting time on the battlefield employing piecemeal Vietnamish military strategy. Allowing our enemies sanctuary. Bowing down to their wishes and sacrificing the lives of our troops to protect THE ENEMIE'S homes and civilians. Why?

We have been sooo worried about what other Nations, other ethnic groups might think that our President not only refuses to defend our borders but encourages a giant invasion of our country across its southern border by illegal immigrants - IN A TIME OF WAR. What will the G8 do tomorrow?

The entire Muslim world is watching how the most powerful Christian Nations on the face of the earth will respond to this attack. Mind you, an attack launched when all the Presidents and Prime Minister where near the killing zone. If there is no response to this attack, to use Condolisa Rice's words,

"it might embolden the enemy."


Tagline:
13 posted on 07/07/2005 9:49:43 PM PDT by TomasUSMC (FIGHT LIKE WW2, FINISH LIKE WW2. FIGHT LIKE NAM, FINISH LIKE NAM.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MikeinIraq

Are you telling me Blair is a LINO?


14 posted on 07/07/2005 9:57:07 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher (The Great Ronald Reagan & John Paul II - Heaven's Dream Team!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Aussie Dasher

no because he is no conservative technically...

he just happens to be really right about this certain subject area....


15 posted on 07/07/2005 9:59:52 PM PDT by MikefromOhio
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: republican2005

It's not self restraint - it's lack of balls.


16 posted on 07/07/2005 10:02:29 PM PDT by mad_as_he$$ (Never corner anything meaner than you. NSDQ)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Allegra
This time, our enemies have no state department, no negotiating team, no diplomats, and no interest in any peaceful settlement. They have no nation.

We could wipe every arab country from the face of the Earth in a single hour...
And what would be gained from something like that?

Does anybody ever stop to consider the cataclysmic results of such an event?

We are trying to preserve the American way of life, not create a dismal remainder of what we have today.


Its funny after Hiroshima, why didn't the argument of, "Does anybody ever stop to consider the cataclysmic results of such an event? We are trying to preserve the American way of life, not create a dismal remainder of what we have today", win the day.

Why? Why didn't the above argument succeed in stopping the nuking of Nagasaki?

Because in those days, people had the capability to think ahead two or three moves. The knew that a little hell now would prevent a much greater HELL tomorrow. They knew that a little hell now would mean VICTORY TODAY. They knew that the enemy had started the war and we were going to finish it, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

They knew that if the shoe were on the other foot, the enemy would not hesitate to use THE BOMB against US.

Today we are too afraid to think ahead. We are the generation of the security blanket of the cell phone. We must constantly talk to others and ask other of opinions and what they think is right, and what they think we should do. Well guess what. We need to do what it takes to win this thing NOW. NOT TEN OR TWELVE YEARS FROM NOW. It doesn't matter how we win because of two reasons.
First - BECAUSE we did not start this war.

and second -

BECAUSE we are the biggest dog on the block, and the rest of the block is full of pussies.
17 posted on 07/07/2005 10:04:52 PM PDT by TomasUSMC (FIGHT LIKE WW2, FINISH LIKE WW2. FIGHT LIKE NAM, FINISH LIKE NAM.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Aussie Dasher

For the same reason Zell Miller is a democrat.

Remember .. Harry Truman was a real hawk - even as a democrat.

But just being liberals wasn't enough and finally they were infiltrated with socialists and communists and marxists; a part of appeasers.


18 posted on 07/07/2005 10:06:06 PM PDT by CyberAnt (President Bush: "America is the greatest nation on the face of the earth")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: McGavin999

“A British defense expert says Thursday's bombings in London were executed by at least 24 people and designed to mirror bombings last year in Madrid.”

According to Italian media explosive and detonators for Madrid attack came from Bosnia. According to Croatian sources terrorist were trained in Bosnia where they get logistical support. According to Spanish sources Al- Qaeda chiefs in Spain maintained close and friendly relations to muslim Bosnia, which was used as launching pad for this and many other terrorist attacks. Zenica, for example, was and steel is important field of training for muyahidin.
38 people have been implicated in Madrid terrorist attack so far and 24 of them are directly charged. Of that number 1/3 fought in Bosnia where they acquired knowledge needed for 3/11. They probably got Bosniaks passports, like recently killed head of Al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia..

I have little doubt than, when dust settles we will find that Bosnian muslim were instrumental in organizing and executing this attack. Crimes like London bombing were possible because third-rate failed politicians like Paddy Ashdown are pursuing politics of “brotherhood and unity” with muslim terrorist.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1437296/posts?page=1

Western states have choice to continue this suicide politics of or they can wake up and smell the coffee.
”It is not in fact possible for there to be any peace or coexistence between 'the Islamic Religion' and non-Islamic social and political institutions."
Alija Izetbegovic - “Islamic Declaration”, 1970


19 posted on 07/07/2005 10:13:42 PM PDT by zagor-te-nej (http://emperors-clothes.com/sreb/mem.htm)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: TomasUSMC
Dropping A-bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki are very different from "wiping out every Arab nation on the face of the Earth."

That was the point I was making; to do something so drastic would have dire results. Not so much in a counterattack, but think about it. That's wiping out quite a large porion of the world.

It may solve one problem, but it would create a myriad of others. And yes, of cataclysmic proportions.

And by they way, my opinion does not stem from the fact that I happen to live in an Arab country.

20 posted on 07/07/2005 10:28:22 PM PDT by Allegra (On the Rocks With Salt, Please...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Allegra
"Does anybody ever stop to consider the cataclysmic results of such an event?"

Japan considered that and surrenderd as a result.

21 posted on 07/07/2005 10:31:56 PM PDT by blackbart.223 (I live in Northern Nevada. Reid doesn't represent me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: blackbart.223
(sigh....)

See my Post #20.

I'm sure thankful you guys aren't calling the shots. Your Japan analogy is off-kilter.

22 posted on 07/07/2005 10:34:43 PM PDT by Allegra (On the Rocks With Salt, Please...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Allegra
"I'm sure thankful you guys aren't calling the shots. Your Japan analogy is off-kilter."

I didn't suggest wiping out all Arab nations. I suggested sending a large blow to fanitics. What don't you understand about that?

The analogy to Japan who practiced bushido during WW 2 fits in this case.

23 posted on 07/07/2005 10:53:02 PM PDT by blackbart.223 (I live in Northern Nevada. Reid doesn't represent me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Allegra
Dropping A-bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki are very different from "wiping out every Arab nation on the face of the Earth."


We didn't have to wipe out all of Japan, did we. Why, because they got the message, they visualized the total destruction of their country, if they did not surrender.

The same thing would happen. Once Iran saw that their country was disappearing under mushroom clouds, they would surrender or die. Win Win situation for us.
24 posted on 07/07/2005 10:58:54 PM PDT by TomasUSMC (FIGHT LIKE WW2, FINISH LIKE WW2. FIGHT LIKE NAM, FINISH LIKE NAM.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: blackbart.223
Go back and read the original statement to which I was responding.

You appear to have missed my point completely.

Why are you having such a hard time comprehending the original statement and response?

25 posted on 07/07/2005 11:01:45 PM PDT by Allegra (On the Rocks With Salt, Please...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: TomasUSMC
The same thing would happen. Once Iran saw that their country was disappearing under mushroom clouds, they would surrender or die. Win Win situation for us.

That's really not the point I was arguing. Please go back and read to which comment I responded and how.

26 posted on 07/07/2005 11:04:39 PM PDT by Allegra (On the Rocks With Salt, Please...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: republican2005; Allegra; TomasUSMC; blackbart.223; All
B-83 Strategic Bomb/ "dial-a-yield"(Low Kiloton Range up to 1200 Kilotons)

Targets


27 posted on 07/07/2005 11:14:02 PM PDT by Conservative Firster
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Allegra
"Why are you having such a hard time comprehending the original statement and response?"

Because you are starting to become rather vague about it.

No one said to wipe out all Arab nations. You brought this to the table.

28 posted on 07/07/2005 11:23:45 PM PDT by blackbart.223 (I live in Northern Nevada. Reid doesn't represent me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: blackbart.223
Read Post #8. It's not that difficult to comprehend.

And then go find someone else on which to assuage your feelings of inadequacy or whatever it is that causes you to act so arrogantly.

I really don't have time for it.

Bye, now!

29 posted on 07/07/2005 11:30:08 PM PDT by Allegra (On the Rocks With Salt, Please...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Allegra
"And then go find someone else on which to assuage your feelings of inadequacy or whatever it is that causes you to act so arrogantly."

I must have struck a nerve. You resort to insult as opposed dialog.

Good night sweetheart.

30 posted on 07/07/2005 11:42:09 PM PDT by blackbart.223 (I live in Northern Nevada. Reid doesn't represent me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: blackbart.223
Good night sweetheart.

Your kind always resorts to that sort of thing when you're outwitted. How transparent.

It's morning where I am.

So, good morning, pal. Buddy.

{snicker!}

31 posted on 07/07/2005 11:47:28 PM PDT by Allegra (On the Rocks With Salt, Please...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: CHARLITE

My takeaway from todays news. The leaders of the G8 breathed a sigh of relief when they found out that the world's stock markets did not lose their confidence in globalization after this attack and some even closed higher.

This was reported on Fox news this afternoon.


32 posted on 07/07/2005 11:51:06 PM PDT by hedgetrimmer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Allegra
"Your kind always resorts to that sort of thing when you're outwitted."

Tossing another insult when reason fails you? And just ,what exactly, is my kind?

33 posted on 07/07/2005 11:55:36 PM PDT by blackbart.223 (I live in Northern Nevada. Reid doesn't represent me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: CHARLITE

The press is just exagerrating things. Terrorist attacks can't be prevented. Pretty soon we will hear Germany to have a terrorist attack. How could you prevent it? The people killed in these terrorist attacks is peanuts compared to the people killed in WWII. The best thing the press should do is to advise people to pray. That's the best solution.


34 posted on 07/08/2005 1:19:00 AM PDT by Ramonchito
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson