How do you explain away these developments:


Iraq says most of Al-Qaeda network destroyed in 2007

The Iraqi interior ministry lauded its achievements over the past year on Saturday, saying that 75 percent of Al-Qaeda's networks in the country had been destroyed in 12 months.

Ministry spokesman Abdul Karim Khalaf also outlined sharp falls in the numbers of assassinations, kidnappings and death squad murders.

He told a news conference that increased patrols along the borders with Saudi Arabia and Syria had slowed infiltration by militants and played a key role in Iraq's improved security situation.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=071229135733.zfa5461f&show_article=1


So if dramatically reducing the influx of foreigners and destroying the better part of Al-Qaeda, a KNOWN TERRORIST organization, has reduced the violence in Iraq, how can those who "understand" or "sympathize" with their fight claim these are just "freedom fighters" trying to protect their country? They sound like terrorists and foreign fighters to me, not some kind of local patriots.

Also, (and this question is aimed mainly at Optimus) when one of our soldiers IS attacked and killed, how do you KNOW he has been attacked by some "freedom-fighting patriot" and not an Al-Qaeda terrorist who just wants to kill Americans or some foreign Syrian radical or something? Why do you feel so sure?

So if dramatically reducing the influx of foreigners and destroying the better part of Al-Qaeda, a KNOWN TERRORIST organization, has reduced the violence in Iraq, how can those who "understand" or "sympathize" with their fight claim these are just "freedom fighters" trying to protect their country? They sound like terrorists and foreign fighters to me, not some kind of local patriots. Only a complete fool still clings to that nonsense.

Also, (and this question is aimed mainly at Optimus) when one of our soldiers IS attacked and killed, how do you KNOW he has been attacked by some "freedom-fighting patriot" and not an Al-Qaeda terrorist who just wants to kill Americans or some foreign Syrian radical or something? See above

So if dramatically reducing the influx of foreigners and destroying the better part of Al-Qaeda, a KNOWN TERRORIST organization, has reduced the violence in Iraq, how can those who "understand" or "sympathize" with their fight claim these are just "freedom fighters" trying to protect their country? They sound like terrorists and foreign fighters to me, not some kind of local patriots.

I can't recall anyone calling Al Qaeda "freedom fighters." WTF are you on about?

Also, (and this question is aimed mainly at Optimus) when one of our soldiers IS attacked and killed, how do you KNOW he has been attacked by some "freedom-fighting patriot" and not an Al-Qaeda terrorist who just wants to kill Americans or some foreign Syrian radical or something? Why do you feel so sure?

Who says insurgents are "freedom-fighting?" And when did I ever claim that Al Qaeda does not target the US military? What the hell are you talking about?

Optimus - Bushies have the ability to see into men's minds and discern what you "really meant" when you said whatever you DID say - just accept it....

This is a simple-minded question imo.

He's just trolling, I'm still waiting for him to find the WMD's, blabbing about who is who over there is just avoiding the real issue..

Any Iraqi who fights US forces is within his rights to fight an illegal occupation...whatever his motives.

If the Chinese invaded our country due to the Bush/Cheney foreign policy, I'd be roaming the streets shooting Chinese patrols. Even if they could prove that they were just trying to save the rest of the world from the Bush/Cheney regime and their WMDs (which is an actual global threat, as opposed to the fake Saddam WMD threat), I'd still feel it was my solemn patriotic duty to defend my country against an invading foreign army.

If I was an Iraqi, I'd be exactly the same way and would probably already be dead from fighting American invaders. No foreign government gets to decide how my country is run or how the government is structured.

Period.

If the Chinese invaded our country due to the Bush/Cheney foreign policy, I'd be roaming the streets shooting Chinese patrols.

So, presumably, would contra.

/thread

So, presumably, would contra.

/thread

Who is contra?

Also, (and this question is aimed mainly at Optimus) when one of our soldiers IS attacked and killed, how do you KNOW he has been attacked by some "freedom-fighting patriot" and not an Al-Qaeda terrorist who just wants to kill Americans or some foreign Syrian radical or something? Why do you feel so sure?[/QUOTE]

Do you honestly believe that swarthy Syrian-al-Qaeda-Islamofascist-evil-doers plant explosives from their subterranean roadside hovels for the sheer thrill of watching Americans "blow up real good"? Must be nice to live in a comic book fantasy world.

So if dramatically reducing the influx of foreigners and destroying the better part of Al-Qaeda, a KNOWN TERRORIST organization, has reduced the violence in Iraq, how can those who "understand" or "sympathize" with their fight claim these are just "freedom fighters" trying to protect their country? They sound like terrorists and foreign fighters to me, not some kind of local patriots.?

You overlook the minor point that WE are part of the "influx of foreigners" - if Coalition forces had not invaded and occupied in the first place there would be no civil war/insurgency, Saddam would be alive and keeping the Sunnis and Shiítes seperated and occupying Iran's thoughts and almost 4,000 young Americans would be alive and enjoying Christmas with their families.

You overlook the minor point that WE are part of the "influx of foreigners" - if Coalition forces had not invaded and occupied in the first place there would be no civil war/insurgency, Saddam would be alive and keeping the Sunnis and Shiítes seperated and occupying Iran's thoughts and almost 4,000 young Americans would be alive and enjoying Christmas with their families.

:nonono:

Jesus still loves you, friend. He really does. Even after this. His love is boundless.

:nonono:

Jesus still loves you, friend. He really does. Even after this. His love is boundless.

The love of a long dead religious zealot whose followers made claims for his Divinity is something a Scientific Humanist can live (and die) without.:nonono:

You overlook the minor point that WE are part of the "influx of foreigners" - if Coalition forces had not invaded and occupied in the first place there would be no civil war/insurgency, Saddam would be alive and keeping the Sunnis and Shiítes seperated and occupying Iran's thoughts and almost 4,000 young Americans would be alive and enjoying Christmas with their families.It is extremely difficult to deterimine whether the US, Iraq, or the World would have been better off had Bush not invaded. In fact, I think it is impossible.

That being said, had we not invaded, untold thousands of Iraqis would have died anyway due to starvation (caused by UN sanctions that would no doubt still be in effect) or from a visit to one of Saddam's torture chambers. I mean, the scum bag even put Olympic atheletes in jail because they didn't win gold medals. In the long term, I believe Iraq will be better off.