First reported very early this morning, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed in an air raid (apnews.myway.com) when US warplanes dropped 500 pound bombs on his safe house.
I knew this dude was bad, but I didn't know he was so bad the bounty on his head was equal to Osama's ($25,000,000).
So we got this dude and some of his underlings. Good news.
You wanted the best, you got... Out of Context Quote of the Week.
"I know, I know you are saying "sure there was some bad calls, but Jake Gyllenhaal obviously dropped too many easy catches and Ang Lee had some horrible clock management at the end of each half!"" (krakken2000)
Originally posted by ekedolphinWow. Even though I'm against the war, I have to say...
WOOOOOOOOOOOO! Yeah, we GOT THE SON OF A BITCH!
I concur wholeheartedly. Can we safely say he's up there with Saddam's kids on the list of People We've Killed That Ultimately Won't Make Much Of A Difference, But No One's Going To Complain?
Originally posted by ekedolphinWow. Even though I'm against the war, I have to say...
WOOOOOOOOOOOO! Yeah, we GOT THE SON OF A BITCH!
I concur wholeheartedly. Can we safely say he's up there with Saddam's kids on the list of People We've Killed That Ultimately Won't Make Much Of A Difference, But No One's Going To Complain?
At times fighting extreme fundamentalism seems like fighting a Hydra.
I use dial-up mode, but I won't be able to remember what day I was WOTD every time I see one of my posts and I can't ask the boss because *he* won't tell me. ;)
I'll just say this... I was at a bar here, and when Nightline showed the footage of the bomb hitting, the WHOLE PLACE counted down and cheered with the impact! Fantastic! Made me damn proud to be an American! Whatever you think about the war, this is just... as the President said, "a good thing." And here is the link to The Atlantic article (as quoted on Anderson Cooper 360! Ya!) that sheds some light on just how significant Zarqawi was...
I'm sure I'll get called a pussy for this, but I can't understand people cheering on and counting down to a bomb strike. That's just macabre. I mean, I'm glad the guy's gone and all, but geez. The reason Satan's such a bad guy is because he enjoys punishing the wicked. Maybe refraining from being so gleeful about it isn't such a bad idea?
To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires, and lights, in a box.-Edward R. Murrow
Originally posted by oldschoolheroI'm sure I'll get called a pussy for this, but I can't understand people cheering on and counting down to a bomb strike. That's just macabre. I mean, I'm glad the guy's gone and all, but geez. The reason Satan's such a bad guy is because he enjoys punishing the wicked. Maybe refraining from being so gleeful about it isn't such a bad idea?
I was at a company picnic yesterday, and due to the rain a bunch of us were hanging in the pavillion where they had a widescreen TV with Fox News or CNN playing this in the background. Some of the folks were cheering this, and I got called a pussy for saying basically the same thing as you. I started to say the same thing you did "I'm happy the guy is gone" but then I corrected myself and changed the word "happy" to "relieved".
But I'm just an old anti-war hippie who never trusts anyone, especially the older, middle, and younger generations.
So, who does the Bush administration prop up next as the poster boy for terrorism?
Originally posted by too-old-nowSo, who does the Bush administration prop up next as the poster boy for terrorism?
[sarcasm]I guess they'll wait for the next guy who films himself cutting off the heads of various civilians, & makes videos inciting insurgents to blow themselves up in crowded public areas.[/sarcasm]
Come on too-old-now, love him or hate him, not everything comes back to Bush...
I had the initial reaction of, "well, one less nasty bastard in the world," which my fiancee found more than a little repugnant.
It sort of hit home that there are many ways to look at this when I saw the father of the man who was beheaded on video saying that al-Zarqawi's death brings him no additional peace and that killing him wasn't any more right than what the terrorists do.
That a guy in his position was a big enough human being to look at it that way gave me much pause for thought. Now I've got that wonderful, "I don't know how I feel about this," angst.
It's a point worth considering. We shouldn't get lost in backslapping over this, because the reality is that al-Zarqawi's death will likely mean very little when it comes to stopping the violence in Iraq. He's one man, and it's been proven time and again over the past four years that these terrorists aren't about following a tyrannical leader. We're not fighting a beast with many heads here-it hasn't got any, which means we've gotta learn how to kill it without relying on decapitation.
To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires, and lights, in a box.-Edward R. Murrow
Originally posted by Von MaestroCome on too-old-now, love him or hate him, not everything comes back to Bush...
Fair enough, I didn't mean to sound like a troll. I am, however, wondering how long is the line for the next episode of "Who wants to be a martyr?"
And to give him his props, "W" handled this pretty well. No gloating, no jokes, no "Bring it on." or "Mission Accomplished." but a realistic statement as to what this event means.
Originally posted by tarnishIt sort of hit home that there are many ways to look at this when I saw the father of the man who was beheaded on video saying that al-Zarqawi's death brings him no additional peace and that killing him wasn't any more right than what the terrorists do.
I'm sorry, but when you hear the full context of his comments, Michael Berg comes across as a total nutjob. There was a great, long piece on MSNBC yesterday but unfortunately I don't see any online links to it on msnbc.com. (There are lots of blogger reactions - apparently all three cable newsers gave him interview time- but blogger reactions tend to be about as useful as you might expect, so I won't link to any of them.)
Originally posted by oldschoolheroWe shouldn't get lost in backslapping over this, because the reality is that al-Zarqawi's death will likely mean very little when it comes to stopping the violence in Iraq.
I don't know what news you're watching, but nobody's caught up in backslapping with the possible exception of the people who think ANY show of happiness or celebration is too much, and feel that they have to make their complaints heard.
As far what it might mean: in the short run, a substantial flow of money has been cut off if only temporarily. Also, the intelligence gathered from the wreckage (not to mention the dozens of raids conducted at around the same time or shortly thereafter, some of which may produce even MORE intelligence) will undoubtedly be more helpful than harmful.
In the long run....I can't say. You can't either. We can only wait.
I'm not refering to news broadcasts, but more the tendency of many to greet this news with "great, the bastard's dead, yay us". Which I've heard in many places, not just in this thread. There are many factors to consider here, and you've nailed several of them. But there are negatives as well as positives. Reports coming out of Baghdad today indicate that vehicles were banned from the streets over fear of reprisal attacks. And given the historical methods of the people we're dealing with the death of one man seems unlikely to cause any serious damage to their warped crusade.
Ultimately, however, your final point stands. In the long run there's no telling what effects this will have, if any. Hell, there could be a breakthrough next week that could end the whole conflict, it's that convoluted a situation.
And for the record, I do still find counting down to the bomb strike and cheering its impact a bit much. I guess that's just how I am.
To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires, and lights, in a box.-Edward R. Murrow
Originally posted by oldschoolheroI'm not refering to news broadcasts, but more the tendency of many to greet this news with "great, the bastard's dead, yay us".
Hey, guess what - GREAT, the bastard IS dead, and YAY. HE stopped having the ability to kill people soon after the bombs hit his house, because he DIED. God bless those fighting men that made it possible. I am DELIGHTED.
Look, I'm a "live and let live" kinda guy in general, but after a beheading or two I tend to believe certain people are quite capable of forfeiting their right to my goodwill and love of humanity. Every life is precious, but let's not be so naive to recognise that there is a difference between this guy's life ending as opposed to (pick one of) the thousands of lives HE was responsible for ending.
And for the record, I do still find counting down to the bomb strike and cheering its impact a bit much. I guess that's just how I am.
"3...2...1... NO MORE KILLING DONE BY THIS GUY! HOO RAH"
No, really, I get your opinion - well, obviously I don't GET it but your our three posts have made it clear. There is no confusion. I hope MY two posts have made MY position clear and also removed all confusion, and hopefully neither of us has to post again (unless tarnish demands I flesh out my characterization of Mike Berg as a "nutjob").
I'm more interested in what kinda bar shows "Nightline," actually!
Originally posted by CRZ Look, I'm a "live and let live" kinda guy in general, but after a beheading or two I tend to believe certain people are quite capable of forfeiting their right to my goodwill and love of humanity. Every life is precious, but let's not be so naive to recognise that there is a difference between this guy's life ending as opposed to (pick one of) the thousands of lives HE was responsible for ending.
You said a mouthful right there, and it's what I think I've settled on as my position, as un-peace-loving-hippy-Canadian as it might be. I would like some reassurance that there wasn't a lot of collateral damage, but I'm guessing that's not coming any time soon.
Originally posted by CRZ ...unless tarnish demands I flesh out my characterization of Mike Berg as a "nutjob"...
Nope. The first bit I saw was mostly a soundbite. I saw a longer bit with him later that left me with the same general feeling, sad to say.
The only thing that still gives me pause is the framed picture of al-Zarqawi's dead face next to the dais. It's not that I don't understand why they did it, it's more the fact that it's okay to broadcast a dead guy's face all over creation for everyone and their kids and dog to see, but it's really, really, really not okay that some kids watching the Superbowl two years ago might have seen a half-second of uncensored female nipple. But let's not go there again.
"Speaking of Thomases, I loved your recent Atrocious GM Summit column, although I think that you flatter Isiah Thomas far too much by suggesting that he is merely one of a number of atrocious GMs. The truth is that Rob Babcock and Billy King are Einstein next to him. The mess he is creating right now in New York will be studied by business school students 50 years from now alongside Enron and pets.com."
Originally posted by AWArulzMan, I just had a Grimis flashback
Whatever happened to him?
"Speaking of Thomases, I loved your recent Atrocious GM Summit column, although I think that you flatter Isiah Thomas far too much by suggesting that he is merely one of a number of atrocious GMs. The truth is that Rob Babcock and Billy King are Einstein next to him. The mess he is creating right now in New York will be studied by business school students 50 years from now alongside Enron and pets.com."