Originally posted by: ECUHITMAN
Originally posted by: blackangst1
I disagree with you 100%, and base my opinion (we're entitled to our own) is based on history. Al-Qaeda's hatered is secondary to their hatred for Israel, which dates back to...well...before our parents were born. In 1949, Harry Truman officially recognized Israel as a state, and was the first president to do so. Following that, still in 1949, the USA was the main author of the Tripartite Agreement, which basically was an embargo on weapons, ammunition, and supplies to any country involved in the Arab-Israeli war. Israel was excluded, of course. This was the beginning of our friendship with Israel, and the beginning of the muslim's hatered for America. It has only grown more each and every year.
While I agree that their hatred for the 'west' started back when Isreal became a nation. That said the UN admitted Israel on May 11, 1949. This is the reason why they hate the 'west'. I am sure the US is at the top of the list because we are the most powerful, but I disagree this was what started ALL the hatred for the US by the terrorist groups in the ME.
As far as Al-Qaeda goes the GW1 really kicked started its hatred for the US. As it was a widely known fact they didn't like that we started building bases in the ME (Mecca).
The fact is, no matter WHO was in power, 9/11 would have happened. As you probably know this wasnt the first, nor will it be the last, attack on America or its allies. If you look at the history of attacks, they grow larger and larger with each attack. Al-Qaeda has already said their next attack will dwarf 9/11, and statements like this are made after almost every attack.
True
The truth is, whether you believe it or not, is the war in Iraq is irrelevant to Al-Qaeda (and Hammas, Abu Sayef, etc). Do they use it as propaganda? Well of course they do. We use THEIR attacks on US for propaganda....ever talk to a military recruiter? Thats what they focus on (for now).
Yes they use it for recruiting, and the war in Iraq has also taught them another key lesson. We can be defeated. Or at the very least, we are not so powerful that we can do whatever we want. This is a lesson a lot of other nations have also learned about the Iraq war.
Iraq may be irrelevant in the sense of why they hate the US, but the problem is they have gained a lot more support of their cause because of it.
Another truth is, what Al-Qaeda et al absolutely love, is the fact that so many Americans are focusing their hatred on their leader, instead of the ones who REALLY pose a danger - them. Wanna talk about sheeple....people like you who dont see this are as blind and short sighted as ever.
BS. If the Iraq war is irrelevant, I am pretty sure the way American's view our president is also irrelevant. You say we have lost focus because of our hatred of bush, but we are talking about a wall on the Mexican boarder, last time I checked Mexico had nothing to do with 9/11. Does the boarder need to be secured? YES! Should we erect some form of wall? Sure, why not. I mean it is OUR boarder we should be able to do whatever we want. Does illegal immigration pose a security threat to the US (regarding terrorism) YES.
Do people have the Right in the country to be against a wall? YES. Does that mean they are losing focus on the war on terra? NO. The first good argument against a wall is there is no way we are going to build a 1000 mile wall, and even if we do they could just as easily come across from Canada or by boat.
I guess the main thing I have a problem with is the fact that people that support the president act like this is the ONLY thing we should be doing (or at the very least the MOST important thing). In fact this is where BUSH has failed the American people, 9/11 was 5 years ago and he has had control of both the house and senate and has yet to get ANYTHING done.
I say build a wall if you want to. But don't stop there, fix the ports, fix our intelligence (foreign and domestic, NOT relying on listening to phone calls, real police work).... There are a lot of things to fix and as far as I can see BUSH has not accomplished anything. So maybe instead of thinking some freaking wall along the US/Mex boarder will save America think about all the other ways in.
Yes it is a start, but could the resources that will be used to build it going to the correct place?