We need all the good Muslims to help us.

[steadyb]

These terrorists represent such a small fraction of Muslims, compared to the millions and millions of truly good Muslims who are against violence and terror, that our best hope of stopping these murderers is with the help of all the peace loving Muslims around the world. Just as good Christians are ashamed when fanatics act out in the name of Jesus, so must those who follow Allah feel much the same. The only Muslims I've ever known in my life are wonderful people who are just as devastated by what has happened as me. It really is the terrorists against ALL of us who want our families to live life free from fear, in a safe, civilized world.

[Curve Dominant]

[quote]Steadyb posted: [b]These terrorists represent such a small fraction of Muslims, compared to the millions and millions of truly good Muslims who are against violence and terror, that our best hope of stopping these murderers is with the help of all the peace loving Muslims around the world. Just as good Christians are ashamed when fanatics act out in the name of Jesus, so must those who follow Allah feel much the same. The only Muslims I've ever known in my life are wonderful people who are just as devastated by what has happened as me. It really is the terrorists against ALL of us who want our families to live life free from fear, in a safe, civilized world.[/b][/quote] Steadyb, You are exactly right. The vast majority of the Muslim world is indeed outraged by this act of barbarism, which completely flies in the face of Islamic faith. And that is why it is essential that we wage war on these terrorist factions NOW, while we have the sympathy of the Islamic world. Arab nations, Russia, China, socialist western nations, et al could pretend not to look as long as Osama Bin Laden's Al Qaeda was striking at American military targets stationed in Islamic lands. That was "OK," because American military presence in Islamic lands was considered an affront to Islam, and hence justification for Jihad (holy war against the enemies of Islam, where Islam is threatened). Slaughtering 5000 non-military personnel in New York, many of who were not even Americans, was not "OK," by any stretch of even the most fundementalist interpretation of Sharia (Islamic law). That little stunt has completely changed the equation regarding widespread international Islamic sympathy for Bin Laden. He has none, now. He's gone from "holy warrior" to "homicidal maniac" in the eyes of the world, and that includes the Islamic world, save for the extreme fringe minority for whom human life has no value. This attack on innocent civilians was not an act of Jihad, but rather an act of vanity, on Bin Laden's part. He has, in the past, demonstrated himself to be a brilliant, resourceful warrior for the cause of Jihad. My view is that he let his successes go to his head, developed a God complex (or Allah complex, if you will), and stepped over the line, for the cause of enhancing his celebrity. That mistake will prove to be his undoing. With one fell swoop, he has invigorated his most stated arch-enemy, the United States, into an unprecedented mood of defiance and determination to search and destroy him and his followers and associates. More importantly, he has erased any excuse or motivation for his potential allies, in the Arab world and elsewhere, to sympathize with him in any manner that would thwart an American-led international coalition against him and his supporters. But, still unbeknownst to him, it has created yet another interesting opening for the US and its allies... Iraq. This attack would seem to have Saddam's fingerprints on it, and we have unfinished business in Iraq. The level of intelligence required for Al Qaeda to coordinate the attacks this week points to some kind of state sponsorship and financial assistance, and Saddam is the prime suspect on that count. It is telling that out of the five nations on the USA's list of "rogue states," all expressed opposition and regret for the attacks, except Iraq. When Colin Powell was questioned about this at his press briefing yesterday, his response seemed to tip his hand a bit. Conclusion: Do not be shocked if this incedent leads a renewed military campaign against Saddam Hussien, by a NATO-led international coalition under article 5 of the Washington agreement, with little to no serious effective opposition from the Arab world.

[steadyb]

Thanks Curve.

[dansouth]

I agree wholeheartedly, but keep in mind that it's difficult for the good citizens of Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and a handful or other countries to stand up, because their governments are run by oppressive Islamic regimes. But if everybody does what they can, the world WILL be a better place. By the same token, we need all good AMERICANS to step up and fight injustice, too. On the train tonight, a young guy (hip hop dress and language) was talking trash to an elderly Indian man (not even Middle Eastern!). "I'll fuck you up, old man! Droppin' them bombs, 'n' shit!" Happily, the conductor interceded. Tempers are running high, and many innocent people are going to be persecuted.