Where we are now

Washington Times ^ | 10/9/5 | Oliver North

[Crackingham]

Twenty years ago this month, four Islamic terrorists hijacked the cruise ship Achille Lauro and murdered Leon Klinghoffer, a wheelchair-bound, American passenger. As U.S. Special Operations teams pursued them through the Mediterranean, the killers sought to make good their escape.

Abetted by the government of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, the terrorists were finally apprehended when U.S. Navy jets forced their Egyptian-provided aircraft to land in Sicily. Though Italian officials helped spirit the terrorist ring-leader, Abu Abbas, out of the country before he could face charges, the other three were prosecuted and convicted. In Washington, Reagan administration officials involved in the daring operation applauded the capture as a victory in the war on terror. Our celebration was premature.

In the aftermath of the Achille Lauro incident, newspaper headlines quoted President Reagan saying, "We bagged the bums," and "You can run but you can't hide." True enough for the three terrorists jailed for hijacking and murder -- but widely off the mark if viewed in the broader context of fanatical Islamic terrorism that was even then, a very dangerous and growing movement. In a moment of absolute candor afterward, a senior CIA officer said, "We only caught them because they wanted to live." Reflecting on the death of 241 Marines in Beirut two years earlier, he added, "If these three had wanted to die, the outcome would have been a whole lot different."

That's where we are today. After September 11, 2001, the attacks on Madrid, London, Bali, and literally thousands of "suicide-homicides" from Tel Aviv to Chechnya to Tal Afar, Iraq -- it is apparent there are plenty of volunteers willing to become "martyrs" while killing infidels. Those who suggest pulling our military out of Iraq will remove the incentive for radicals to join the jihad are sadly mistaken.

[Old Seadog]

Muhammed

[bitt]

great article ping

[WhiteGuy]

a senior CIA officer said, "We only caught them because they wanted to live." "If these three had wanted to die, the outcome would have been a whole lot different."

Interesting that "a senior cia officer" could so accurately predict the methods to be used in the future............

[doug from upland]

When asked if the operation should proceed to force down the EyptiAir plane carrying Abul Abbas and other terrorists who had hijacked the Achille Lauro, President Ronald Reagan said: "Good God! They've murdered an American here. Let's get on with it.".

[teenyelliott]

There are more newspapers, radio stations, televisions, fire stations and health-care facilities in Iraq today than at any point in the history of Mesopotamia.

I had no idea. Damn, I hate the media.

[Valin]

As I recall, within weeks of the fall of Saddam there were something like 150 newspapers being printed in Iraq.

[Smartass]

Thanks -- Good article.

[teenyelliott]

I am a news junkie, so I read good bits of info all the time.

But to see such great news summed up in one little sentence like that, it just makes me angry that the sheeple will NEVER hear this.

[csmusaret]

Abu Abbas? Isn't he running Palestine?

[Valin]

it just makes me angry that the sheeple will NEVER hear this.

This is where you and I come into the picture. Telling friends family, co-workers the truth.

(aside) I never use the term "sheeple". Remember the idea is to bring people over to the conservitive side, you statrt using that term it gets into your thinking and people can tell. It just makes the job harder.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Prime Choice]

U.S. Navy jets forced their Egyptian-provided aircraft to land in Sicily.

First mistake. They should have just shot them down and denied responsibility. That would have sent a message that terrorists couldn't ignore: kill Americans and your life is forfeit without trial.

[BamaGirl]

First mistake. They should have just shot them down and denied responsibility. That would have sent a message that terrorists couldn't ignore: kill Americans and your life is forfeit without trial.
---
I suspect that's what might have happened wtih TWA 800
</Tinfoil hat time>

[BamaGirl]

First mistake. They should have just shot them down and denied responsibility. That would have sent a message that terrorists couldn't ignore: kill Americans and your life is forfeit without trial.
---
I suspect that's what might have happened wtih TWA 800
</Tinfoil hat time>

[JLO]

Bump!