A Victory for Terrorism?

"After the Madrid attacks, a number of journalists, academics, and other experts picked up on the idea ... that al-Qaida may not be what many people think it is. It's not one vast organization with tentacles everywhere; it's a kind of franchise that helps with cash here, logistics there. Most important, it is the brand name of an umbrella ideology that all the jihadists subscribe to, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat and Salafia Jihadia, among others. Bin Laden is just the public face."
Am I the only one saying " Well duh" here? I just assumed everyone thought the same thing. Which is one reason why I have wondered more than once, how exactly it is that people assume the capture of Bin Laden would some how bring an end to terrorism. That's like saying if you take out Ronald McDonald, McDonalds would go out of business. NOT.
I keep reading in blogs, and hearing in the media how the recent elections in Spain are a victory for Al Qaida. Some people are implying that the good people of Spain all got together in the span of one days time and decided to vote out the current administration based on one terrorist attact by a group that might have or might not have been associated with Al Qaida. Of course there isn't any room for the possiblity that the people of Spain might have just been sick of the ruling party and were ready to boot them anyway.
For the sake of argument lets say , these people are right. The people of Spain did indeed give in to the threats of more terrorist attacks and voted accordingly. How is that so different from what President Bush is asking Americans to do in the upcoming election? He and his campaign are saying that in order to prevent further attacks, and to effectively fight terrorism we MUST elect him President. Isn't he holding the threat of terrorism over our heads and using it to manipulate us into voting for him? So in retrospect doesn't that make President Bush and the Republican Party, terrorist too? If they are saying the only way we can be safe is if we let them run the show, how is that different from any other kind of terrorism?
I don't think it is. I for one won't be held hostage by the President and his personal little Taliban.

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ps: There is a new kid in town (literally, he's only 16!). Read what he has to say about Ann Coulter and the election in Spain, here . This young man is impressive! Thanks to oldcatman, for bringing him to my attention.
posted by wanda at 1:13 AM

Is the tide turning?

Earlier I was reading the blog of someone who's a strong supporter of the Bush Administration. In one of his post he commented that lately he'd been experiencing this feeling of gloom and doom. A sense of frustration and angst. My reply to him was, I know exactly how you feel. I felt that way for so long. Not, so much anymore though. You see, lately I've had this feeling, strange and unfamiliar feeling. I think it may be called hope. Hope, that there is a chance that more and more people are waking up. That more and more people are seeing what is REALLY going on in Washington. Hope that maybe come November, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove and their merry band of marauders will be packing up and heading back to Texas. For good.
Yep, there is hope. The tide may be turning, I just hope when it finally comes ashore it washes all over Dubya and washes him right out to sea.
I'm sorry that the Repugnicans Republicans are feeling so depressed. But if someone's got to feel that way, better them than us.
posted by wanda at 12:33 AM

Anyone But Bush

Recently a good friend ask of me, "Do you really mean that ?" Anyone But Bush? How about Hitler? Or Al Sharpton? Or, oh I don't know say...ahh Big Dick (no, not Nixon re-incarnated). So, I thought maybe I should clairify my position here. Do I literally mean ANYONE but Bush? Pretty close. No, not Hitler, but since he's dead there isn't much threat from that sector. Al Sharpton? Maybe. Yes he's a bit (okay a BIG bit) radical and wayyyyy racist, but it wouldn't be all bad. Big Dick? Sure. Why? Well because for all his huffing an puffing and Repugnican Republican talk, Big Dick don't really walk the walk. Yeah, he talks a tough game but the man has a heart and a brain. He strongly supports freedom of choice. I seriously doubt he cares a rats ass about who gets married and who doesn't. Certainly not enough to even consider altering the Constitution. I think Big Dick would say we need to take care of our own before we go around taking care of the world. I think if he realized that we are now officially pumping more money into Iraqi schools/hospitals and economy than we are our own, he'd be pissed as all get out. I don't think Big Dick would put up with people lying to him and making him look like an ass. I don't think he'd tolerate someone outting a CIA Agent out of retaliation against her husbands politics. I think Big Dick would do some house cleaning and it would be a better house when he got through. I might not agree with all his policies, but I'd trust him with my future and the future of my children and grandchildren. Even if he does call himself a Republican.
Do I literally mean Anyone But Bush. No, not literally, but pretty darned close.

Editors note:
Who (besides Big Dick) is my IDEAL candidate/President ??? John McCain .
We were robbed of more than election in 2000. We were robbed of the best President this country would have seen in many a year. John McCain has the mind of a Republican, the heart of a Democrat , the courage of an Independent, and the soul of a Greenie. What a different country this would be today if Bush & Co. had not run him out of the race. This is one thing I will never ever forgive Rove, Bush and all their rich assed buddies for.
posted by wanda at 5:53 PM