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 7 of 15)
91. We import 70% of the oil we use in this country due in part because we have been prevented from drilling our own oil.
xxx
right wing myth. There is first, no refining capacity, and second, the major oil companies are sitting on 65 million productive acres they can drill on any time they want, and they're not doing it since that drives the price up.
This is hardly a secret, but some people have a very high dissociative factor if it means they can't hate something.
Even if they did start today, it would be exported to the highest bidder and the market adjusted that way, maybe eight to fifteen years from now.
Big oil is international, not american and right wingers made it that way and want it that way.
If you want adjustment in prices, regulate speculation right now and you'll get it. Close the enron loophole.
Also America will benefit from enforcement of the Sherman and Clayton acts. Monopolies create restraint of competition and trade.
Clif Kuplen at 2:32PM on Jul 16th 2008
92. ATHEISM: A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE!
http://evolutionfacts.blogspot.com
WILL SMITH at 3:00PM on Jul 16th 2008
93. Mad African; "I think that Iraq was unnecessary,and Afghanistan is necessary.That is my final word on that.However,there is some burning issues,and some facts"
I'm with you on this. However, I think Iraq has become necessary even if Afghanistan is more necessary. Iraq is necessary because, in the words of Colin Powell, "you break it, you bought it".
Ryan Anderson at 3:16PM on Jul 16th 2008
94. I guess it only counts as "standing idly by" until people start militia movements.
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Standing on the mall in D.C with a placard in your hand that says "No Iraq" while chanting is the lowest form of protest I can think of. Especially since the Bush Administration has ignored all forms of civil protest thrown at them.
Why dont you try civil disobedience. Disrupt things in a peaceful manner. Get involved in politics to try to change things. You can write all the sarcastic answers you want to but until you do something about the things that piss you off, then you are just another hypocrit.
CaptainCack at 3:21PM on Jul 16th 2008
95. You are the distraction Dinesh!
Read the news, don't make it up...
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/troops-flee-afghanistan-post-after/20080716110909990001
FINN at 5:38PM on Jul 16th 2008
96. Dear Tabais-
You are confusing "intelligence" with "wisdom". Now, if you go back and re-read the responses to the initial proposition of Dineshie's blog, you will see the difference.
Intelligence responses are frequent, wise ones are few.
Robert at 3:56PM on Jul 16th 2008
97. And on a more scatological note- notice that DD's "whipping boy" i.e. "assistant" is allegedly an "Atheist". Any speculation as to the nature of the celebratory ritual that follows another of Dinesh's "victories"?
Robert at 3:59PM on Jul 16th 2008
98. I don't like politics so I am going to try to change the subject again lol. I just don't get people sometimes. That happens probably more than I care to admit. My neighbors dogs run away, I bring them back and he is on the phone at that moment complaining about someone elses dog. Figure that one out.
a born atheist at 4:26PM on Jul 16th 2008
99. I read that, steven! It figures... The president the right loves to make fun of and deride, was the one with the right answers.
Typical.
Godless Heathen Brian at 5:30PM on Jul 16th 2008
100. I believe the Iraq war was one of the biggest mistakes our country has ever made. That said, I also believe that we cannot leave Iraq at this time. My nephew is off to Iraq for his third tour as a machine gunner. He extended his enlistment for a second time to go with his "kids" as he calls the guys serving under him. I wish for a swift end to the war, but I know that that is not possible. I hope to see my nephew again alive. I will vote for someone who is willing to talk to our enemies. I believe that diplomacy is key to peace. I will vote for Obama. Mccain has no pearls of wisdom, only more talk of bloodshed.
Jen at 5:33PM on Jul 16th 2008
101. Anyways,now we know,and it was really funny.
mad african christian at 3:08PM on Jul 16th 2008
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Really? How?
Godless Heathen Brian at 5:33PM on Jul 16th 2008
102. It is the surge that seems to have changed the facts on the ground
-DD
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Yes, who knew that pouring in a saturation of troops would quell violence? And by walling in all the communities and basically allowing areas to be ethnically cleansed... So now we are the cork in the bottle. Nice. We pull out and it all goes to shit. Well, that's how Bush wanted it to be, and McSame. And in the meantime somewhere in a cave in Pakistan a certain tall bearded jihadi is laughing his filthy ass off at us. Hell, it's great that he told us that Iraq is the central front! After all, can't have us on his doorstep. Smart guy.
I can't believe that the right wing is believing Bin Ladin! That, to me, is really funny. And really scary. If it weren't so scary it'd be a lot more funny.
Godless Heathen Brian at 5:56PM on Jul 16th 2008
103. I swear, if Bin Ladin endorsed McCain for president, the right wing would use the video in a McCain campaign ad!
Of course, if he did endorse anyone, he'd endorse Obama, knowing that that would get the hypochrist sheeple out to the polls for McCain in flocks. I hope he isn't that smart. Because it would work.
Godless Heathen Brian at 5:59PM on Jul 16th 2008
104. The surge is why afghanistan is going (or possibly already went) to hell in a handbasket.
And that's who attacked us, or at least where they lived. No big deal, but it is true, after all.
Interestingly enough most of the hijackers were saudi's, if I recall. Our great friend that Bush kisses. The Bin Ladin family are all saudis, and let's not forget that the Bush family had a history of dealing with the Bin Ladin family that went back a long way before 9-11.
Godless Heathen Brian at 6:07PM on Jul 16th 2008
105. Steven, I totally agree with the sentiments expressed in your post. But please give proper attribution to David Knowles who wrote it.
randy at 6:08PM on Jul 16th 2008