My laughter still hasn't subsided from the last post. I told my research assistant, who happens to be an atheist, that many of his fellow non-believers were too dumb to recognize even the most blatant irony and satire. He refused to believe it, until he saw it with his own eyes. He's a believer now, at least in the fact that there are plenty of atheists who are as clueless as the most ignorant fundamentalist.
Now that I've established that beyond a reasonable doubt, it's time to move on to the latest political news. In his latest speech, Obama confidently declared that America's war in Iraq is a "distraction" from our involvement in Afghanistan.
Leave aside the problem that Obama's Iraq views and policy all seem formulated prior to actually finding out what is going on in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama is scheduled to go to Iraq later this month on a "fact finding mission." He will also visit Afghanistan for the first time. Couldn't Obama's wisdom on Iraq and Afghanistan have waited for what he might find when he's over there?
Liberal Democrats like Obama keep saying Iraq is the "distraction" when, from the point of view of the Islamic radicals, Iraq is absolutely crucial. Al Qaeda has publicly stressed that Iraq is the global center of the war on terror, the staging ground for the beginning of World War III.
Why is Iraq so important to Bin Laden? Because since 1979 the radical Muslims have controlled only one major Muslim country, and that is Iran. They are desperate to get their hands on a second one. They have already said that if they get Iraq, they will focus next on Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
For America, Iraq is crucial for a reason regularly stressed by real estate agents: Location, location, location. Here are the names of Iraq's neighbors: Turkey, Jordan, Kuwait, Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia. Is there any doubt how important it is to have a pro-American Muslim government (or even better, a pro-American Muslim democracy) in that neighborhood?
By contrast, it is Afghanistan that is quite frankly a "distraction." Afghanistan was chosen as the launching pad for the 9/11 attacks because the Taliban government provided rent-free accommodations there for the Al Qaeda training camps. It was essential for the U.S. to get rid of the Taliban, and I'm glad the international community is keeping an eye on the place to prevent a return of those fanatics. Even so, anyone who thinks Afghanistan is strategically more important than Iraq needs his head examined.
If Obama's dismissal of Iraq seems like the unserious speculation of a novice, McCain has shown the prudent judgment of a real statesman. When almost everyone was against the surge, McCain pushed it. It wasn't that Bush talked McCain into supporting the surge. The truth is actually the opposite: McCain sold it to Bush.
It is the surge that seems to have changed the facts on the ground, and that is a testament to McCain's political bravery and strategic far-sightedness. Let's hope Obama finds out what is really going on before he issues more pearls of unwisdom.
Reader Comments ( Page 4 of 15)
46. I've noticed something on this and almost every other blog that deals with politics and religion. 90% of the responders on this blog respond with name calling and vitriol. No matter how good of a point or position you have in your posts, you lose all of your credibility by referring to the blog's author as "Douche" or any other interesting and otherwise creative names that you invent. There are those on here who actually debate the point of the post, but sadly, they are few and far between. Hearing other's viewpoints on matters engages us and allows us to grow, if we allow ourselves to think and not simply buy into what we have read by some author or what my friend said the other day. As a believer, I also believe that God's gift to us is intelligence, and it is up to us to use it to find truth, not merely regurgitate beliefs that have been passed down and shared.
Tabais at 12:44PM on Jul 16th 2008
47. 1) Why does DD have an atheist assistant? (probably as a whipping boy to run his errands)
2) Why would an atheist ever choose to work for DD? (probably to Drano DD's coffee)
Mokele Mbembe at 11:23AM on Jul 16th 2008
48. Another thought there DD. If you tell a joke, and no one laughs, Who is stupid?
CaptainCack at 11:39AM on Jul 16th 2008
49. UR RIGHT @ LEAST YOU MENTION 2 OF THE IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT SURROUNDS MIDDLE EAST SITUATION,1`- IT'S IMPERATIVE THE PRESENCE OF ALLIES IN IRAQ,2- OBAMA HAS NOT EVEN A CLUE... BUT THAT'S NOT EVERYTHING, ALSO YOU SHOULD MENTION THAT THEY ARE LETTING THEIR OIL SITES GET BURNED IN A DAILY BASIS AS WELL AS IN VENEZUELA. ALSO, VENEZUELA IS PROVIDING IRAN WITH ALL THE URANIUM EVER POSSIBLE TO GET AND THAT COUNTRY HAS INCREASED HIS NUCLEAR ARSENAL REMARKABLY.CHARTERS FROM TEHERAN TO PUERTO ORDAZ (VENEZUELA, WHERE THE MAJOR PRODUCTION OF URANIUM IS)ARE MANY,AND, ALTHOUGH ALL OF THOSE COUNTRIES ARE THE RICHEST IN THE WORLD THEY DON'T HELP EACH OTHER, BUT HATE EACH OTHER, SO USA AND ALLIES KEEP GIVING THEM MONEY TO STOP FOR A WHILE THAT NUCLEAR WAR BETWEEN THEM, THAT WOULD LEAVE THE REST OF THE WORLD WITHOUT OIL ...... IF PEOPLE THINK THAT THAT PHONY PEACE IS FOR FREE,,,,LET ME TELL YOU....AM SURE THAT OBAMA WILL FEEL COMFORTABLE THERE COZ IS HIS HERITAGE, BUT SHOULD BE READY ALSO TO PROMISE,AND OFFER MUCH MORE THAN THEY ARE ALREADY GETTING.......THEY GIVE NOTHING FOR FREE...
pet at 11:46AM on Jul 16th 2008
50. the fact(s) remains that we have not had one, NOT ONE, further terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. nor has any other country in the last several years. gwb's strategy of concentrating and containing the bulk of the terrorist faction to fight in iraq has worked. we have killed 1000's of them and they have been decimated to the point of dis-organization and impotency.
mike at 11:43AM on Jul 16th 2008
51. Obama is a microcephalic jug-eared fool. A Fraud, in fact the biggest hoax ever perpetrated on the American public.Supported by the far left and movie stars and Hamas and Hezbollah and Al Queda and bubble headed youth who are desperate to get control of our government so they can change it to fit their far left radical agendas.This could be the most disastrous mistake in history if he is elected.Be afraid folks, verrrryy afraid.
audrey at 11:56AM on Jul 16th 2008
52. 47. MIKE, DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN NO ATTACKS IN SEVERAL YRS SINCE 9/11, NO ATTACKS HERE BUT ONLY HERE, YOU FORGET, EUROPE: SPAIN, ENGLAND, NOT TO MENTION, ISRAEL, LEBANON, AND EGYPT AND JORDANIA AND SO ON,,,,ETC....THEY NEVER REST IF THEY HAVE ACCESS, ONLY THEY HAVE NO ACCESS HERE SO FAR.....
pet at 11:57AM on Jul 16th 2008
53. Be afraid folks, verrrryy afraid.
===================================================
Now that sounds funny!!!!
CaptainCack at 12:02PM on Jul 16th 2008
54.
Moke Sez: 2) Why would an atheist ever choose to work for DD? (probably to Drano DD's coffee)
You have to remember that the assisitant is probably outnumbered and there aren't too many jobs that specifically ask for Atheists Only to apply.
Also, there was a gay guy who was outed as a Campaign Manager to Rick "Man On Dog Sex" Santorum. Working against your interests is all too common in circles of power, as is self-loathing.
T.Brough at 12:05PM on Jul 16th 2008
55. since the attacks in london, madrid and bali, which occured several years ago, there have been NO major terrorist attacks on NO major cities around the world in the past 3-4 years. there still are loose cannon cells that are being apprehended regularly. THATS THE FACTS, and thats what i go by, the facts.
mike at 12:05PM on Jul 16th 2008
56. Mike:
It doesnt mean we are winning the war....Right now they are probably planning the next operation. This takes years of training, planning, moving pieces into place and getting the items needed to execute.
Besides, it doesnt mean that Bush did anything special. Presidents dont plan anything out. Everything is done for them by advisors, generals, special counsel, and cabinet secretaries. Its the staffers who get it done in politics.
CaptainCack at 12:12PM on Jul 16th 2008
57. LIK OMG TEH FAR LEFT IS GONNA KILL ARE BABYS AND MAKE US COMUNIST AND BURN ARE FLAG AND PROTECT TEH FAGS!
Mokele Mbembe at 12:13PM on Jul 16th 2008
58. Mike; "...they have been decimated to the point of dis-organization and impotency."
Tell that to the families of the 9 servicemen who were recently killed in Afghanistan in a sophisticated and coordinated attack.
Ryan Anderson at 12:15PM on Jul 16th 2008
59. Mokele; nice use of "ARE".
Ryan Anderson at 12:16PM on Jul 16th 2008
60. doesn't mean we're winning the war??? wht planet are you on?? WE HAVE WON THE WAR IN IRAQ!! thats a fact, too... seems like you want to put blame on bush when we were not doing so well there but now that we have won you say he did not have much to do with that. also, it has been 2 years since we busted the terrorists communications system and they have no way to communicate except by camel express riders..
mike at 12:20PM on Jul 16th 2008