Thursday, October 12, 2006

Lessons from Korea and Iraq

Note:

I was made aware today that I have won what I consider a great honor for this blog—Bestest Blog of the Day for October 12, 2006 (making the site eligible for further honors). This is in competition with thousands of other blogs. Thank you LAEvanesce for your kindness in nominating me, and to Bestest Blog for choosing me from among the many nominees. Thank you to my contributors, especially paz y amour (the path), LAEvanesce, and to passionate liberals like Miss V for keeping me honest.

My Liberal Friends

I have ringing in my ears and thoughts racing through my mind with the comments and opinions of my liberal friends. I believe I have made myself truly open to hearing the other side of things, not only by listening to these bright, passionate people of the left, but also through tuning in to Air America, CNN, any Hollywood actor it seems, and even forcing myself to watch Keith Olberman. I couldn’t view him for long, though. He makes my skin crawl just like Michael Savage makes my liberal friends’ stomachs turn.

Lessons from Korea and Iraq

Anyway, on the issues of Korea and Iraq, I know there are two (three? a hundred?) sides. I’ve listened to quite a few. Here is my take on the lessons we can learn from both, as I believe they are interrelated somehow:

Invading Iraq

Bush was right in going into Iraq. Not for the reason of WMD, which was good enough, as everyone at that time believed Saddam had them—but for other reasons mentioned by many, and for some reasons only I and a few other people seem to notice.

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First, of course, Saddam was a butcher, slaughtering his own people. Second, he used WMD on live human beings. Third, he was paying suicide bombers in Israel $25,000 per family, supporting terrorism against that great country. Fourth, he did have connections with al-Queda and terrorists, even harboring some in Iraq. Fifth, he was shooting at American planes. Sixth, he did not comply with U.N. resolutions. Seventh, he had already invaded a neighboring country, Kuwait.

There are other justifications I can think of, but I’ll just mention two more. He was a threat to our oil supply. I know, some liberals will say we went to war for oil. So what? Oil is a vital national interest. Just see how long we can support this economy without it. See what would happen to our poor people then.

My last reason (my very special reason) is simply that the invasion of Iraq shook up the Middle East. The Middle East needed shaking up. Bad people were killing good people. Bad countries were terrorizing good countries. In order to save lives, this war had to happen.

Invading Iraq Created More Terrorists?

In response to the left’s claim that the Iraq war has created more terrorists—what do they think 9/11 was? A love note from Islam? 9/11 happened before Iraq. Remember? These people already hated us. They didn’t need the excuse of an Iraqi war to despise Western culture. We are the infidels. We deserve to be killed. Period.

Mistakes in the Iraq War

However, after invading Iraq and conquering Saddam, I will admit, then, that Bush and company made several mistakes. It was an ill-conceived war. We overwhelmed Iraq so much that we drove their thousands of soldiers into hiding, to later become part of the insurgency which kills us and each other today. We were, and remain, culturally insensitive. We imagined that American style democracy could take hold quickly. It can’t. If they are going to have a democracy, it’s going to be one that honors their cultures, tribalisms, values, religions and so on.

The Lesson of Korea

Korea, though, and I’ll be brief here, is an example of what could have, and I believe would have, happened in Iraq if we hadn’t invaded. Iraq would have eventually gotten its nuclear weapons, and then what would we have? Another Korea. A rogue nation with a nuclear bomb—impossible to invade, impossible to easily discipline.

The lesson of Korea is, if you’re going to invade a country—do it before they have nuclear weapons.

Voila! Bush was 100% correct in invading Iraq when he did, pre-emptively! His timing was perfect.

What Do You Think?

Tell me what lessons you think we need to learn from Korea and Iraq.


Rock


(*Wikipedia is always my source unless indicated.)


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17 comments:

Wods Katzenschwarz said...

this is pollitacally incorrect:

just one link about music:

http://www.nahuales.blogspot.com/

thanks!!!
and see'll you!!!

Rock said...

I don't understand, but thanks for the comment.

Tarek said...

Hey dude,
First of all, I am an Arab living in Lebanon and I landed on your blog through the bestest blog thing (congrats on that btw)..

I VERY MUCH disagree with you on your reasons why Bush was right in invading Iraq and here's why:
First of all, it is very true, Saddam Hussein was a butcher.. He killed and slaughtered thousands of people including the Kurds using chemical weapons.. But he was never spanked for that by the Americans and if anything he was being supplied by the Americans with weapons for the Iraq-Iran war in the 80s. And while he killed thousands (potentially tens or hundreds of thousands who knows) UN sanctions on Iraq post the Gulf War caused the death of over 1 million people in Iraq because of the very messed up corrupt oil for food program.

The suicide bombers getting $25,000 thing.. I never heard of it in my life ever, and I do not think that there are any factual sources that support that claim.. I don't think even Christian Zionists like Bush and Cheney ever used that...

Till now, not a single link has been proven between al-Qaeda and the Iraqi regime, and if anything it is the invasion of Afghanistan, followed by the invasion of Iraq and turning Iraq into a free playground that led to Iraq becoming the base for al-Qaeda.

While it is true that Iraq did NOT comply with UN resolutions, Israel TOO does NOT comply with UN resolutions and as a matter of fact has (I believe) over 40 pending UN resolutions which it simply refuses to implement. I don't see Bush invading Israel.

You said: "He was a threat to our oil supply." I'm sorry but who in the world are YOU to say that it is YOUR oil supply. To my knowledge, the natural resources of each country are the property of the country itself, not some other country thousands of miles away..

Last, you said the Middle East needed a shaking up.. I live in the Middle East; the fear of a war starting or bombs exploding next to you anytime did indeed SHAKE ME UP.. But not in a good way.. Look at the whole Middle East.. How did anything improve???

Bottom line is, Bush had no right to invade Iraq. Invading Iraq made Iraq a worse place, and now the Americans are thinking of exit plans, leaving behind a secterian-torn country.

Lexa Roséan said...

Ok - I'm actually kind of concerned that I can follow your logic on this. I need to take a double dose of my vitamin L

Anonymous said...

Hey dude,
First of all, I am an Arab living in Lebanon and I landed on your blog through the bestest blog thing (congrats on that btw)..

I VERY MUCH disagree with you on your reasons why Bush was right in invading Iraq and here's why:
First of all, it is very true, Saddam Hussein was a butcher.. He killed and slaughtered thousands of people including the Kurds using chemical weapons.. But he was never spanked for that by the Americans and if anything he was being supplied by the Americans with weapons for the Iraq-Iran war in the 80s. And while he killed thousands (potentially tens or hundreds of thousands who knows) UN sanctions on Iraq post the Gulf War caused the death of over 1 million people in Iraq because of the very messed up corrupt oil for food program.

The suicide bombers getting $25,000 thing.. I never heard of it in my life ever, and I do not think that there are any factual sources that support that claim.. I don't think even Christian Zionists like Bush and Cheney ever used that...

Till now, not a single link has been proven between al-Qaeda and the Iraqi regime, and if anything it is the invasion of Afghanistan, followed by the invasion of Iraq and turning Iraq into a free playground that led to Iraq becoming the base for al-Qaeda.

While it is true that Iraq did NOT comply with UN resolutions, Israel TOO does NOT comply with UN resolutions and as a matter of fact has (I believe) over 40 pending UN resolutions which it simply refuses to implement. I don't see Bush invading Israel.

You said: "He was a threat to our oil supply." I'm sorry but who in the world are YOU to say that it is YOUR oil supply. To my knowledge, the natural resources of each country are the property of the country itself, not some other country thousands of miles away..

Last, you said the Middle East needed a shaking up.. I live in the Middle East; the fear of a war starting or bombs exploding next to you anytime did indeed SHAKE ME UP.. But not in a good way.. Look at the whole Middle East.. How did anything improve???

Bottom line is, Bush had no right to invade Iraq. Invading Iraq made Iraq a worse place, and now the Americans are thinking of exit plans, leaving behind a secterian-torn country.

(P.S: I think cause i switched to blogger beta, I can't post a comment with my identity, so if you didn't get the first comment, here's my second one as anonymous)

Rock said...

Tyk1982,

Thanks for your congratulations. Thanks too for your comments. You sound reasonable even though we disagree. I appreciate people like you, and respect you for expressing your heartfelt opinions. But … here we go:

But he was never spanked for that by the Americans and if anything he was being supplied by the Americans with weapons for the Iraq-Iran war in the 80s.

Yes, it’s called Realpolitik. That’s life, Tyk. You can’t always choose your friends. When survival is on the line, you’ve got to crawl into bed with dictators. That’s what the U.S. did when we had Stalin as an ally in WWII. Realpolitik.

And while he killed thousands (potentially tens or hundreds of thousands who knows) UN sanctions on Iraq post the Gulf War caused the death of over 1 million people in Iraq because of the very messed up corrupt oil for food program.

Bull, Tyk. Saddam stole the money from his own people. He had plenty to feed them. Plus, it wasn’t the U.S. stealing the money in the oil for food program. It was the corrupt U.N.

The suicide bombers getting $25,000 thing.. I never heard of it in my life ever, and I do not think that there are any factual sources that support that claim.. I don't think even Christian Zionists like Bush and Cheney ever used that..

It’s a well-documented fact, Tyk. You need to read more conservative sites and watch some FOX. Why don’t Bush and Cheney use this? Unfortunately, Bush’s greatest failing is his inability to communicate. Plus, he’s always trying to appease the left. He wants to be liked and loved. By doing this, though, he gets the opposite. He just needs to tell the truth and people could understand his actions better.

Till now, not a single link has been proven between al-Qaeda and the Iraqi regime, and if anything it is the invasion of Afghanistan, followed by the invasion of Iraq and turning Iraq into a free playground that led to Iraq becoming the base for al-Qaeda.

Good. It’s better to fight al-Queda there than in other countries. Let them gravitate to Iraq. Have you heard their internal memos? They admit to each other they’re losing. The only chance they have of winning is if the left, in the U.S. and the world, succeed in making this war another Viet Nam. We’ll see in November, whether the American left succeeds in taking over congress.

While it is true that Iraq did NOT comply with UN resolutions, Israel TOO does NOT comply with UN resolutions and as a matter of fact has (I believe) over 40 pending UN resolutions which it simply refuses to implement. I don't see Bush invading Israel.

If the Palestinians would stop suicide-bombing Israelis, and Hamas would stop lobbing katushyas into Israel, there would be no violence in that part of the world. Israel is innocent. The Palestinians and Hamas are the aggressors.

You said: "He was a threat to our oil supply." I'm sorry but who in the world are YOU to say that it is YOUR oil supply. To my knowledge, the natural resources of each country are the property of the country itself, not some other country thousands of miles away..

I didn’t say it was our oil. I said that “our supply” would be threatened. Like it or not, Tyk, every American administration has had a standing order which specifically says that another country cutting off the oil supply is an act of war. Other countries have felt like this too, going back to WWI and WWII, including, for example, Japan. Cutting off oil is like cutting off food—it has exactly the same effect. People starve when this happens. It is an act of war.

Last, you said the Middle East needed a shaking up.. I live in the Middle East; the fear of a war starting or bombs exploding next to you anytime did indeed SHAKE ME UP.. But not in a good way.. Look at the whole Middle East.. How did anything improve???

I’m sorry for what you went through. You are obviously a good and decent person, and you don’t deserve to experience this. So, tell your Arab, Muslim, Hamas, Palestinian neighbors to allow Israel to exist and live in peace and you won’t have to go through this again.

Bottom line is, Bush had no right to invade Iraq. Invading Iraq made Iraq a worse place, and now the Americans are thinking of exit plans, leaving behind a secterian-torn country.

Bush had a right and a duty to invade Iraq. Thank God he did. Americans who don’t see the importance of winning in Iraq are short sighted. A democracy in Iraq would transform the region, and bring a golden age for Muslims. Think about it. Don’t you want that?

Rock

Rock said...

Lexa Roséan,

Ok - I'm actually kind of concerned that I can follow your logic on this. I need to take a double dose of my vitamin L

Lexa, what a nice name, and what a nice compliment. Thanks. Don't worry. You can still be a liberal and be tough on defense. Think John F. Kennedy. One of my heroes.

Anyway, we all have liberal and conservative views, plus we can switch back and forth depending on the issue and the timing. War might be right today, and wrong tomorrow.

Stand tall as a liberal and keep the faith. Just be willing to be reasonable.

God bless.

Rock

Arcticman Speaks! said...

Rock,
The only mistake made in Irac was that we did not FIRST completely take over. This is a lesson for all future wars. That is, don't go to war if you are not prepared to destroy the enemy. We went in undermanned and without the necessary tools to police the country after doing what we should have done; clearing it of all undesirables. It was a pulled punch, so to speak. If you pull your punches while fighting an enemy you can't control them. That was a huge mistake that has enabled the insurgancy to continue fighting.

As far as Korea is concerned, we need only review how they were also enabled. Look no further than Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter , and Madaline Albright. Democrats can never be trusted with our national security again. Lies and denials can not change the truth. 13 years ago, the Clinton administration appeased a bully and agressor, giving aid and technology, going out of his way to avoid confrontation. Caught up in his own political nightmare brought about by his complete lack of personal control, Clinton ignored the seriousness of this and other threats to America, not wanting to spoil the temporary "feel-good atmosphere". Clinton kept an agreement with the son of a dictator, while evidence clearly showed the N.Koreans were not honoring their part. Instead of reacting with resolve the Democrats allowed this to happen. Now, these same Democrats insult American's intelligence by blaming the policies of a President in office only 5 years. Democrats and Liberals are whimps, fools, and liars and they should never be trusted by Americans again to insure our safety.

Is Bush perfect? Hell no! I think most politicians are liars. But, I'll trust a liar that isn't afraid to do what's right to protect America any day before I'd trust one who only want's to save his own ass.

Tarek said...

Ok let's do this... I won't argue on a case by case point, but follow my logic here.. In the early 1900's there were no defined boundaries in the Arab World, and most of it was conquered by the Turks.. But still it was ALL Arab land.. (I'm specifically talking about Palestine here)... THEN thousands of Jews started immigrating to the "Holy Land" under the claim that it is their right to live in that land.. Some of the Jews bought land in Israel; MOST of the Jews raped land from the Arabs and killed and slaughtered many Arabs. In this they were aided by the Brits mostly. Now, if use the Jew's logic, the Arabs conquered lands stretching from Spain to China, so does that make it our right to come and claim this land a couple of hundred years later? In 1948 the State of Israel was declared dividing the Arab Land of Palestine into two equal parts 50-50.. A whole strong Israeli part and the Palestinian territories in each of its side. Then in 1967 they invaded MORE of the Palestinian territories and took over Jerusalem... Then they occupied more and more and more Arab land, including countries like Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt... In 2000, despite Israel's massacres and slaughters... Despite the tens of thousands of Arabs killed by the Israelis, and millions of dispersed Palestinians who for 4 generations now have been living in camps outside their own country, all the Arabs came together and said OK Israel we are all willing to make peace with you... Not just recognize the State of Israel but make actual peaceful normal ties, with trade and everything... In return Israel had to withdraw from Arab lands occupied after 1967 (thus basically implementing the UN resolutions and nothing more...) The Israelis practically told the Arabs to shove this peace initiative and continued with its policies, which include killing crippled, half deaf, blind, 50 year old handicapped by an Apache helicopter; it also includes killing children and then saying that it was an innocent mistake.. Every day Palestinians die.. Now I'm not attacking you here, because your media does not shed light on this.. When one car explodes in Israel the whole global world media turns its attention to Tel Aviv and Haifa and the whole world starts crying for the 3-4 Jews that perished.. But this happens EVERY single day in Palestine.. Choppers and rockets fire at the Palestinians.. They claim they're targeting someone (and let's assume that that someone is a legitimate target and has no right to trial and a lawyer) but in their course they wipe out houses and kills dozens of innocents.. With so much suppression, how could you but expect for a Hamas to grow? Hamas is a democratically chosen party... Mind you, I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, against Hamas, and believe that they are extremists just like Hizbullah in my country, but how can I argue against what they say, when they say that they are resisting the Israelis... Israel is the only country in the Middle East with nuclear weapons.. Israel has the fourth strongest army in the world... Israeli military technology renders one speechless.. When you're a Palestinian living in subhuman camps, seeing your friends die around you, lose many of your family.. You just lose hope and you go kill yourself to take the lives of your enemy.. And let me tell you something, as a Muslim, suicide is wrong and it will damn you in hell, but to the suicide bombers, they are already living hell.. The whole problem in the Middle East is the Arab-Israeli issue... It boils down to that, but Israel is as much an aggressor as are Hamas and the Islamic Jihad..

(Btw apologies about the "our oil" thing.. Duly noted! But if you can give me ANY source on the $25,000 suicide thing, then I would really appreciate it, cause I am confident that it's not true)

Rock said...

Articman and Tyk, I'll catch up replying tomorrow when I get a chance. Good comments.

Rock

Rock said...

Articman,

The only mistake made in Irac was that we did not FIRST completely take over. This is a lesson for all future wars. That is, don't go to war if you are not prepared to destroy the enemy.

I agree. I repeatedly praise our conduct in WWII, with Democrats at the helm--FDR and Truman, which included Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Tokyo and Dresden. We were out to win. Politically correct wars, like Vietnam, are losers.

As far as Korea is concerned, we need only review how they were also enabled. Look no further than Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter , and Madaline Albright.

Again, agreed. Today's Democrats led to every national defense horror we know. Let them return to the days of John F. Kennedy, who made mistakes, yes (Bay of Pigs), but learned from them, and became tough quickly (Cuban Missile Crisis).

Is Bush perfect? Hell no! I think most politicians are liars. But, I'll trust a liar that isn't afraid to do what's right to protect America any day before I'd trust one who only want's to save his own ass.

I see no evidence that Bush ever lied about anything. However, I do agree that he has been courageous in doing the right thing in Iraq.

Rock

Rock said...

tyk1982

In the early 1900's there were no defined boundaries in the Arab World, and most of it was conquered by the Turks.. But still it was ALL Arab land.. (I'm specifically talking about Palestine here)... THEN thousands of Jews started immigrating to the "Holy Land" under the claim that it is their right to live in that land

Tyk, it was not “Arab land” exclusively. Jews were always in Israel and Palestine, nonstop for centuries. A large number of Jewish settlements were always there, even during and after persecutions. When some left Israel, into their Diaspora, they were forced to leave. Forming the state of Israel in 1948 was a natural thing—the exiled Jews were coming home.

Some of the Jews bought land in Israel; MOST of the Jews raped land from the Arabs and killed and slaughtered many Arabs.

Just patently false. They bought land, and were attacked by Arabs even after buying the land legally.

In 1948 the State of Israel was declared dividing the Arab Land of Palestine into two equal parts 50-50.. A whole strong Israeli part and the Palestinian territories in each of its side.

The tiny sliver of land, Tyk, they were given was so small that it was evidently indefensible. The very day the State was declared, Israel was attacked from all sides by its Arab neighbors.

Then in 1967 they invaded MORE of the Palestinian territories and took over Jerusalem... Then they occupied more and more and more Arab land, including countries like Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt...

This is a crock, Tyk. Israel was attacked, unprovoked, in 1967. It defended itself and won. The Arabs lost territory then, and since, after its aggressive war of annihilation against Israel, when they literally tried to “throw them into the sea,” as was their pledge. The Arabs lost, again, this war. Territory won in defense from an aggressive war is legal. Israel had a right to keep all this territory, but as you know, it gave back much of it after the peace treaty with Egypt. Israel has been more generous than the United States after its wars (ie. with Mexico).

In 2000, despite Israel's massacres and slaughters...

Another crock. Israel never targets civilians, only military targets. Civilians are unfortunately killed in Israeli attacks on military targets which Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinians hide in the middle of civilian populations. Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinians, though, directly target civilians, including women and children, and teenagers out for fun, open air markets (shuks), nightclubs, coffee shops. Not so, Israel.

All the Arabs came together and said OK Israel we are all willing to make peace with you... Not just recognize the State of Israel but make actual peaceful normal ties, with trade and everything... In return Israel had to withdraw from Arab lands occupied after 1967 (thus basically implementing the UN resolutions and nothing more...) The Israelis practically told the Arabs to shove this peace initiative and continued with its policies.

What a gross distortion of history. Arafat had the chance to sign the peace treaty offered, agreed to by most of the world, and he refused to sign. Instead, he continued bombing women and children.

Mind you, I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, against Hamas, and believe that they are extremists just like Hizbullah in my country, but how can I argue against what they say, when they say that they are resisting the Israelis...

Finally, some reason. Tyk, if the Arabs would accept Israel’s existence and stop killing its women and children, there would be a Palestinian State and there would be no violence in that area of the world. Israel is innocent. The Arabs (not you, not all Arabs) are the aggressors. How naïve to think Israel wouldn’t do anything for peace.

When you're a Palestinian living in subhuman camps, seeing your friends die around you, lose many of your family.. You just lose hope and you go kill yourself to take the lives of your enemy..

It’s your Arab brothers who keep them in these camps. Muslims and Arabs have enough money to build a golden age, for Palestinians and all Muslims. But they don’t. They keep their corrupt regimes in power through hating America and hating Israel. It is a hate-filled society. Fix that, fix the mudrassahs, and you’ve got peace and prosperity for all—except then, the people would probably vent on the real villains, the mullahs and leaders who breed the hatred.

And let me tell you something, as a Muslim, suicide is wrong and it will damn you in hell, but to the suicide bombers, they are already living hell..

God bless you for saying this.

The whole problem in the Middle East is the Arab-Israeli issue...

The whole problem is an Islamic problem. Again, not you, but the millions of Muslims who have drifted into extremism in hatred against the U.S. and Israel.

It boils down to that, but Israel is as much an aggressor as are Hamas and the Islamic Jihad..


Israel teaches love. They constantly sing songs of peace and teach their children about life and love and accomplishment. Hamas and Islamic Jihad teach hatred, war, and suicide bombings. Again, it is a culture of death.


(Btw apologies about the "our oil" thing.. Duly noted! But if you can give me ANY source on the $25,000 suicide thing, then I would really appreciate it, cause I am confident that it's not true)

Thanks for the apologies. I will be on the lookout for the references you seek.

Again, I thank you for your comments. We disagree, but I totally see that you are a good, well-meaning person. You are a devout Muslim, so that gives me hope that you probably represent millions more like you who are good, decent, bright and peace-loving. However, where did you learn your history, Tyk? Unbelievable. Anyway, I accept your opinions and hope you work for peace in some way. I think blogging and commenting on blogs is a noble endeavor as long as it’s done sincerely, as you are doing.

I much prefer your method of dealing with things—talk, rather than people getting violent, on either side. You are a great man, so just keep an open mind.

Rock

Dean aka Sgt Dub said...

Tyk and Rock,
First, let me say that this blog chat is exactly what will save everyone. What? you may ask? Communication. Debate. Not yelling, not screaming, not being violent, but talking. Next, both of you present good arguments. Rock, the only thing I truly disagree with is "Again, not you, but the millions of Muslims who have drifted into extresmism against the U.S. and Israel." I feel this number is grossly exaggrated. I am serving my second tour in Afghanistan, and of the 25,000,000 people in this country, I can say that it is a small minority of people who live in Iraq and Afghanistan that are against us and peace. Why do you see so many civilians being targeted and killed in those countries? Because the terrorists aren't from there. They are filtering in from other countries to do damage, to create turmoil. But it only takes one to start evil. Keep up the debate, encourage others to debate too, because this is what solves problems.

Rock said...

sgt dub, first let me say thank you for your service in Afghanistan. You are a great American and I salute you.

First, let me say that this blog chat is exactly what will save everyone. What? you may ask? Communication. Debate. Not yelling, not screaming, not being violent, but talking.

How nice of you to say. I hope Tyk agrees. I think you're right, and hope that blogging can have some effect.

I am most interested in either you having your own blog, which I would link to and publicize, or your guest-blogging with me on this blog. Let me know.

By the way, Tyk, I'd love to extend the same offer to you. I'd put you on as a post, with no censorship. Of course, I'd comment, but you can handle that.

Rock, the only thing I truly disagree with is "Again, not you, but the millions of Muslims who have drifted into extresmism against the U.S. and Israel." I feel this number is grossly exaggrated.

If you say so, sgt dub, I'd have to go along with you. I'm not there, and I will respect your observations over mine. I lived in the Middle East for ten years, and I know that thousands of Arabs and Muslims are wonderful, gracious, honorable people. They don't seem to stand up to their vicious leaders, though, and I do fault them for this--but again, you may see things I don't on this issue. Please share.

Your insights, and Tyk's, can illuminate our vision of that part of the world.

Because the terrorists aren't from there. They are filtering in from other countries to do damage, to create turmoil.

Again, if you're right, then this is important information. On the other hand, why don't the Afghans and Iraqis throw the bumbs out, so to speak? We can't fight their war for them forever, can we?

Keep up the debate, encourage others to debate too, because this is what solves problems.

Again, thank you so much for your time and your comments. I certainly agree with you, and I'm open to hearing the truth, whatever it is. Tyk, same to you.

Thanks for commenting, sgt dub, and please do put together a post or two for me from the front. You sound intelligent, fair and balanced. Keep up the good work, and we're all praying for you.

Rock

Rock said...

Tyk, as I said in the above comment, I so much appreciate you and your comments that I want to invite you to become a guest blogger on this blog. Send me a one page, short post on anything you are passionate about, and I'll post it, uncensored (I might correct grammar to help you, since I'm a stickler for that, but I won't change a word of content. You are free on this blog unless you are inappropriate, and you certainly are very approrpriate)

Let me know. If not, though, just keep commenting, and know that conversations like this are important, even though we disagree.

Rock

Rock said...

sgt dub, so I see you do have a blog, and it's riveting. Keep writing, and I'll link to you when I get the time. Please return the favor if you are so inclined.

Everyone, go see sgt dub's blog, sgtdub, straight from the frontlines in Afghanistan!

The offer to guest blog still stands. I can even put your blog on my blog if you want. Good work.

Rock

Rock said...

Tyk, ditto to you. I've seen your site, and It gives a whole new slant on that part of the world. I appreciate it.

So, again, folks, go see Tyk's site, rambling and blabbering.

Got time to write a post? I'll post it.

Salam Aleichem.

Rock