This week MNJonnie
Posted on 07/30/2006 5:23:00 AM PDT by Alas Babylon!
Thanks for the mention Johnnie.
Are the top 3 a secret? Enquiring minds want to know.<g>
Here are Jonnies's top three and I will post the actual awards shortly.
3. Alas Babylon! Our thread host rarely lets fly but when they does, you would be wise to listen. #68 I have finally figured out what is wrong with our country over these past several years. First of all, consider the song Have You Forgotten?, by Darryl Whorley. Fact is, about 1/3 of Americans have. They saw 9/11 as terrible, but then saw the removal of the Taliban from Afghanistan as the answer, initially supported the Iraq invasion but because it got so "hard" they blame the President for continuing that war, as if we had a choice, and surprisingly blame him for it now, even though, they, like Congress (including the Democrats) were for it to begin with! The liberals/leftists, about 1/3 of our countrymen, and that very much includes the media, ACTED as if they thought 9/11 was horrible, but many of them, most I'd say, saw it as punishment for America's support of Israel and our American "imperialism", especially under a right-of-center Republican administration. They could not voice this in the months immediately after 9/11, though, as the rest of us would have skewered them. Of course, the last 1/3 of Americans saw 9/11 as an attack by a very evil and dangerous enemy, one that needs to be eliminated from the face of the Earth for peace loving nations to live. We realized this would be a difficult and lengthy struggle, but still, if we persevered, a struggle we would no doubt win. We are that third. Immediately after 9/11, President Bush went before Congress and said: We will direct every resource at our command -- every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war -- to the destruction and to the defeat of the global terror network. Now, this war will not be like the war against Iraq a decade ago, with a decisive liberation of territory and a swift conclusion. It will not look like the air war above Kosovo two years ago, where no ground troops were used and not a single American was lost in combat. Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes visible on TV and covert operations secret even in success. We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place until there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime. Our nation has been put on notice, we're not immune from attack. We will take defensive measures against terrorism to protect Americans." Has any of this changed? Has this not been exactly the way we have fought this war up to this time? What about the people who heard this then, applauding George Bush for it then, complaining now how he has caused the terrorists by continuing to fight in Iraq and the Middle East? Are they that stupid? No. As Darryl so eloquently sang, THEY HAVE FORGOTTEN!
Also, 1, 2, 3, 68, 156, 360, 408, 416, 419, 443, 444, and 471
2. Phsstpok: Always a top contentor! #277 Rodguy, may I recommend A.Hun's post #165 for consideration in the awards this week. Really nice analysis of the big picture that all too many are ignoring or haven't woken up to. The one thing I would diagree with is the assessment that President Bush knew that the world war with radical Islam was inevitable. In fact, I believe that the Bush policies during the first administration, when Colin Powell was Secretary of State, were entirely aimed at a last attempt to stave that war off by finding a "middle ground" between all out war and innefectual "police actions." I believe that failure is why Bush replaced Powell for the second term.
#450. With 20/20 hindsight some things could have been done differently after WWII, but it serves no real purpose to speculate. I wish the "powers that be" would learn this! That said, the plight of the Palestinians must be addressed. That is, IMHO, a facile argument. Poor people always have it tough. The fact that, for political purposes, these poor people have been labeled "Palestinians" is a function of propaganda, not history. Before 1967 the phrase "Palestinians" referred to Jews in that part of the world. We must not look at them as the "minority" oppressed by the "big bad Israelis." We must understand the nature of the Islamic "Uma" and the desire of Jihadis to drive out all non-Muslims from the lands they have conquered (that's not a word chosen casually). We are not dealing with 2.5 million Palestinians versus 6.3 million Israelis. Instead we are talking about 6.3 million Israelis (only a percentage of whom are Jews) versus 500 million Muslims who have all declared their intent to kill all of the Jews. And understand that the Jihadis include places like Madrid and Tours in their "rightful" lands. Zawahiri said so in his latest tape. They want to kill us or enslave us, they don't care which. That said, the plight of the Palestinians must be addressed. There is not a chance in Hell that their plight will be addressed by a Hezbollah or Iranian victory. The only result of that will be to spread their misery to the rest of the world, including places like St Louis, Atlanta and, of course, Detroit.
Also,98, 143, 190, 209, 237, 331, 349, 359, 389, 391, 396, 418, 428, 432, 435, 441, 496, 496, 453 and 462.
1. Kabar: Serious calm challenger of convetional wisdom. Very Well Done! #104 Kristol and many of the talking heads are portraying this as a defeat for Israel. It reminds me of the Tet offensive, an overwhelming victory, that the MSM called a defeat. Perception trumps reality. In fact, Hezbullah has suffered a major defeat and opened the door for a major intervention by a multinational force that will included Western countries with the probable writ to implement 1559. Israel will benefit by having its northern border secured and the Lebanese military is strengthened to take greater control over the country.
#404But in the here and now, France's Jews border on being a persecuted minority. Their status in France is nothing for the French to be proud of and not a reason to suggest the French would be a good choice in this instance. Similarly, France's amenability to the Lebanese would draw in large part upon France's current anti-Israel, pro-Arab status quo agenda. Despite the anti-semitism in France, which has the world's third largest Jewish population outside of Israel, I believe Israel would not object to France being part of the multinational force. France is a member of NATO and the EU. It has capable, well-trained and equipped forces to do the mission. Whoever the peacekeepers are, it seems to me we can expect them to effectively serve as effective human shields for Hezbollah, at best maintaining a cease-fire which Hezbollah will break upon occasion as it continues to build up its arms. Before the peacekeepers move in, there will have to be a peace to keep. Their purpose is to provide a secure border between Israel and Lebanon and perhaps between Syria and Lebanon. Their effectiveness will depend on what mission they are given and the ROE. If the UN is serious about enforcing resolution 1559, these peacekeepers, who may or may not wear blue helmets, may not perform the traditional duties associated with the function. Both sides must agree to a ceasefire or Israel will continue to decimate Hezbullah.
#420 You also can't win the PR battle. The Israelis use artillery, fighter aircraft, helicopters, ships, tanks, and uniformed military while the acts of Hezbullah go unseen. The Israelis are also killing at a ratio of at least 15 to 1. It is easy for Hezbullah to take the role of victim.
Also, 79, 109, 117, 118, 136, 159, 176, 182, 187, 189, 205, 210, 219, 225, 228, 236, 256, 259, 276, 293, 298, 301, 305, 312, 323, 326, 368, 370, 393, 406, 445, 451, and 452.
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.