This CBC news item from today is a perfect example of why Canadians continue to be misinformed on the nature of Islamic terrorism. Whether it’s incompetence or a deliberate attempt to place blame for the Madrid train bombings on the Bush administration, I’ll leave to the reader to judge;
The deputy prime minister said there’s no way of guaranteeing bombers won’t strike here, given that Canada made it onto a list of al-Qaeda targets for sending troops to Afghanistan to support the U.S.-led mission against that country’s former government after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks against the United States.
The other countries on the al-Qaeda list released in November 2002 were Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany and Australia.
Spain later became a target because it sent troops to Iraq when U.S. President George W. Bush’s administration decided to invade and topple Saddam Hussein’s government.
Suicide bombings later confirmed to be the work of al-Qaeda militants killed 191 train commuters in and around the Spanish capital of Madrid in March 2004.
Emphasis mine.
As I noted in this SDA post of nearly a year ago, the New Yorker had reported ;
“One of the most sobering pieces of information to come out of the investigation of the March 11th bombings is that the planning for the attacks may have begun nearly a year before 9/11. In October, 2000, several of the suspects met in Istanbul with Amer Azizi, who had taken the nom de guerre Othman Al Andalusi-Othman of Al Andalus. Azizi later gave the conspirators permission to act in the name of Al Qaeda, although it is unclear whether he authorized money or other assistance- or, indeed, whether Al Qaeda had much support to offer. In June, Italian police released a surveillance tape of one of the alleged planners of the train bombings, an Egyptian housepainter named Rabei Osman Sayed Ahmed, who said that the operation ‘took me two and a half years.’ Ahmed had served as an explosives expert in the Egyptian Army. It appears that some kind of attack would have happened even if Spain had not joined the Coalition- or if the invasion of Iraq had never occurred.”
This was one of the major news stories to occur that year. Now, if a gawdamned nobody artist in Saskatchewan knows this, why doesn’t the CBC?
update – a reader has provided a fresh url to the New Yorker piece.
Your not a nobody.
YOU’RE
YOU’RE
Damn spelling!
Exactly – the Al Qaeda attacks began long before Iraq. That includes 9/11..and the previous attacks against the WTC, the USS Cole, etc.
These attacks also occurred before the US went into Afghanistan to take out the Taliban.
I maintain my point. Al Qaeda has nothing to do with the ‘west’ but with the Arab States. It’s the externalization of THEIR civil wars; it’s between tribes – between tribes who want power in the ME. Bin Laden wants power in the ME, and his kind of power – Islamic fundamentalism. The recruits to Al Qaeda are disempowered young men – disempowered because their nations are not democratic but are military dictatorships, ruled by ONE tribal power, to the disempowerment of every other person and the enrichment of one tribe. That’s what it’s all about.
The ME dictators will encourage this externalization to the west, of their own civil wars, because they don’t want their own regimes toppled.
Does Bin Laden hope that by his attacks against the West, he will make the West move into the ME, to take out these dictators? Yes, I suspect he does.
And then what – Bin Laden wants a fundamentalist rule in the ME, not democracy.
And that’s George Bush’s agenda. He is trying to do two things. Remove the dictators in the ME either by war or by vote..BUT, this goes along with the important function – to enable the development of democracy in the ME. He wants to empower the people there, so that they, themselves, will reject fundamentalism and develop their own democracy.
That’s why the insurgency in Iraq is increasing; Bin Laden may want the West to take out the dictators, but, he doesn’t want the people of the ME to take charge of their own lives. He wants to insert Islamic fundamentalism rather than democracy.
Fundamentalism is always very attractive, because it is emotionally and communally bonding and you exist without doubt; God makes all decisions. BUT – it prevents thought and questions. The people will have no choice but to opt for the less ‘safe’ system of democracy, which requires thought, choices, and accountability…Let us hope they can, in the ME, keep their strength to fight the insurgents of Bin Laden, and reject his goal of Islamic fundamentalism.
“Spain later became a target because it…”
…drove the Moors out in 1492, and has not since reverted to sharia law, would be a far more accurate statement. The ignorance being displayed is sadly unsurprising, but still shocking.
The �nobodies� are at the CBC even if they have cards on the dashboards of their Volvos parked beside their condo-lofts that let them illegally park where motorcycle mechanics would get a ticket. It�s the elitists versus the rest of us, but we�re not nobodies.
Spain is not a target because of 1492 and no Sharia Law. You don’t sit around for 500 years and brook..and remember. What about Indonesia and Australia?
Any and all Western countries are targets if they can be encouraged to ‘get angry’, or act as victims, so that the West will move in and take out the ME dictators. BUT – the agenda then, is to ensure that the ME also rejects democracy. Bin Laden is more worried about democracy than anything else.
By the way – has anyone else picked up the scent from the Canadian MSM that they would actually WELCOME a terrorist attack in Canada? I get the sense..that the Canadian MSM is feeling..kind of ‘left out of importance’ in the international scene. I’ve seen MSM reports today, suggesting that Toronto is readying its subway system ‘just in case’; I’ve seen MSM reports today, suggesting that ‘Canada is in line for an attack’..It’s a pathological world, when, instead of garnering our importance by fighting the terrorists, we count ourselves as ‘important’ only if we are attacked by them.
I think theyr’e just trying to feed off the sense of urgency to sell a few more papers. They don’t hope for an attack – in their smug, secure world, they genuinely think we’re on the hit list due to an unfortunate spelling error.
The leftist meatheads at CBC know this full well. They know that Spain was/is a target because nutbars like OBL consider it the lost kingdom of Andalusia. OBL said it himself. Many conservative outlets in the States printed these facts.
The CBC simply refuses to print anything that contradicts their rampant anti-Americanism and blind opposition to the Iraq war.
This would not be the first time the liberal propaganda agency better known as the CBC engages in outright falshoods and manipulation in order to support the liberals’ “USA is evil, support for the USA gets you killed” meme.
What happens when the bombs go off in Canada (aside from Screech’s wet underwear)?
From the Belly of the Beast
How is the American left responding to today’s terrorist attacks in London? The posters at Democratic Underground represent the heart and soul of the left, and, arguably, of the Democratic Party. Check out this message thread for their views on the latest terrorist outrage. Warning, this is only for those with strong stomachs. The debate is basically between those who think President Bush is only indirectly responsible for the terrorist attacks, and those who think the administration actually carried out the bombings. Like this guy:
I am so cynical… That all I can think is “how convenient” that this happened to take the light off Karl Rove.
I don’t think anything is on the “up-and-up” anymore, not even terrorist attacks.
Yes, that’s it, all right. The Bush administration is now staging terrorist bombings to distract attention from Karl Rove. Fortunately, however, our leftist friends have their attention riveted firmly on Rove, and they won’t be distracted by something as insignificant as terrorist attacks.
powerline
For anyone wanting to read The New Yorker article referenced (“The Terror Web” by Lawrence Wright), here is the correct URL: http://www.newyorker.com/printables/fact/040802fa_fact
To conclude from the CBC repeating a perfectly reasonable relationship (Iraq war support and Al Qaeda bombing) that the CBC is an “Anti-American” bastion of “lefty meatheads” is…a nice bit of hyperbole, but it makes for interesting reading 🙂
This is insane. I have heard a dozen times today media and even Toronto city councillour Howard Moscone claim that Canada is not a target because we are not involved in Iraq.
The Liberals did not pull our NATO exchange troops out of their postings to the US and UK, we have between 20 and 30 Canadian troops in Canadian uniform fighting in Iraq right now, a Canadian general served a year in Baghdad as Director of Plans and Operations for the US forces in Iraq and there is a Canadian frigate blockading the coastline of Iraq and escorting the US carriers right now.
Does Howard Moscone and the media really believe that refusing to send more troops than our bare treaty requirements means that we are not involved? Do they really think the RIF’s care?
Are they deliberately lying to us or are they really that stupid?
So why was Spain attacked in the first place then?
I wonder if Bush was involved in this somehow:
“In April 711, the Arab governor of Tangiers, Tariq ibn-Ziyad, crossed the strait between what are now Morocco and Spain with an army of nine or ten thousand Berbers (the place where they landed was soon to have a new name, the rock of Tariq, Jabal Tariq � Gibraltar). Goth King Roderick hastily took an army south, but T�req and his Berber troops defeated it in a battle near the River Guadalete, and the king himself was never seen again except in legend. Tariq ordered that a group of prisoners be cut into pieces and their flesh boiled in cauldrons, then released the rest, telling them to spread the word about Moorish practices.”
ET. “Al Qaeda has nothing to do with the ‘west’ but with the Arab States.”
I agree only partly with that. But if you are right, how come the ‘west’ is getting blown up?
I’ll cut to the chase. The religion (I use that term very loosely) that is telling these idiots to blow themselves up is bent on conquering the world. If we don’t deal with these bastards now we will still be fighting them in a real life replay of Star Wars.
http://michellemalkin.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/2374
The Islamists think they can wear us down. But, it will never happen. Their benighted world vision is based on a false premise and is doomed to failure.
It’s Ok everyone. Don’t worry. Anne McLellan is in charge of national security.
Jeeeezuz, just blow me up now….
At the siege of Vienna in 1683 Islam seemed poised to overrun Christian Europe.
We are in a new phase of a very old war.
http://www.gatesofvienna.blogspot.com
Annie better get her gun … sooner rather than later.
Brian O’Niell … where have you been … it’s not how you spell, but rather, how you “feel” about the words.
What are you a school teacher or a human?
Ca-nada is weak,spineless and cowardly. We hide behind American strength and smugly criticize and condemn. We are fools and will pay eventually.
Flash, from now on all cash filled brown envolopes delivered to Ottawa and Quebec addresses will be closely guarded and send in armoured cars.
Al Kay Duh will not stop the graft in this backwater.
How do you like my spelling and puncutuation Brian?
Typos designed especially for you … because you seem a special kind of guy. Hey aren’t are Canadian fools “special”?
Brian.. I apologize, I just realized you were criticizing yourself. I am into the scotch and shouldn’t be on this blog at this time.
Agree with John Crittenden and we can�t pass this problem onto our kids, we must deal with it now. It�s already massive and growing. The world�s advanced countries need to agree to deal with it aggressively while we still can.
Maybe it�s similar to nations 250 years ago finally agreeing not to harbour pirates and the elites realizing they were loosing more then benefiting by letting their double dealing pirates plunder. Enough�s enough!
I just got so pissed of at our enemies (including the CBC) that I decided to get drunk and thow up. Forgive, for I know not what I do at this moment.
Wel, i hav bean wher i am – i was bannd from the shitgin fur sum strange reezun i cant figger. but i can still think i think. enyway, mai hart is pyoor and i can feel anywun espeshly klt.
If people are intent on looking for connections (i.e. “this is because the UK got rid of Iraq’s dictator so there getting punished blah blah blah….”) :
http://zubari.blogspot.com/2005/07/timely-reminder-handiwork-of-sinn-fin.html
Brian… LOL … I didn’t think your spelling was bad, but I can’t comment with any degree of expertise, cause I’m illiterate.
I was listening to Charles Adler while trapped at work, and some clown phones in and says the Brits deserved what the got. My blood starts to boil hitting feature 5 a zillion times trying to get through, then finally Adler, who I don’t really like, comes back and says:
” The people who say these kind of things are total cowards, and have no moral reason for existence.
Finally he say’s something have decent, and he’s right. Anyone who would blame the victim, are total cowards and will be the first to cry out when something happens. The left has become a bunch of ignorant, arrogant , hypocrites. DO YOU HERE THAT CBC!!
“We are in a new phase of a very old war”
The left has no idea…
The goals being pursued by “Radical” islamists is no different than the ones espoused by their prophet Mohamed. Death to infidels, death to the kaffir.
All shall fall under the dominion of the new Caliph. And if they dont…off with their heads.
Canada moved up another notch today on the hit list. That should be pointed out to the CBC.
The operation of course has already been planned down to the most minute detail. We just dont know what form it will take or when or where for that matter.
Im in wpg so Im not too worried, Saskatoon is off the hook too.
Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, any one of these is odds on favourite. My guess is Montreal. Its easier to fuck up an island and will piss of Que and ROC. Two birds one stone.
If you limit your attack to Toronto or Ottawa Quebecers wont care…
I heard that too.
Yes, Adler’s a real #%^$-*#@^er – he spends almost all his time ridiculing anyone with any respect for faith or tradition, and then when all the worms call up on a day like today, he’s all, “What’s happening to this nation?”
What a dork!
Canada is such an easy target. Planting bombs in Canada has to be a nobrainer. And there are hundreds of terrorists here right now, living and working among us, who are awating orders. When this happens I wonder what the Liberals will say. If it happens in Ontario I wonder what all the leftist Liberal and NDP do-nothing appeasers will say. If it happens in Alberta I know what Albertans will say. They will say “fuck you Ottawa”, open their border to the US and invite in the whole damn US armed forces, missiles and all.
John Crittenden – Yup, roger that, there would be hell to pay if it happened here.
ET, you mentioned that “we count ourselves as ‘important’ only if we are attacked by them”. Mark Steyn had an article online last week or so mentioning something in a similar vein about flag-burning. “A flag has to be worth torching. When a flag gets burned, that’s not a sign of its weakness but of its strength”. Sorry I don’t know how to properly post HTML links: http://www.suntimes.com/output/steyn/cst-edt-steyn26.html
You’re partly right, Canada isn’t important enough in world events to warrant a terrorist attack. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing from a security point of view, but it tells me that the Libs have been bowing down and kissing Mohammed’s feet while sacrificing all their principles (which isn’t saying much! They didn’t have any to begin with!)
I’d also like to point out that Muslims think about oil a lot (coming from the ME) so Calgary would be a logical target and Fort MacMurray would be a great target if you want to try and disrupt the US oil supply, or at least get ppl concerned about the oil supply.
Bacardi Breezer. You’re right. Even blowing up a pipeline would affect a lot of Americans. America imports more oil from Canada than the Middle East. A pipeline would be the easiest target of all. $100/gal oil anyone? Overnight I would say.
If that happened I’d like to see Alberta invite the US Army Corps of Engineers up to help repair it. Not that they’d need it, but just to make a point.
Kate,
Well it’s hardly surprising that you would know that the Madrid attacks were planned before the start of the liberation of Iraq and the CBC would not. After all, everyone knows that your research budget is much bigger than theirs.
Monte,
Please propose the following resolution when Parliament resumes sitting:
“Be it resolved that the CBC be disbanded and replaced by Kate.”
BTW Dave J has it exactly right about Andalusia- as bin Laden himself has made clear. One can’t understand the enemy without listening to him.
THE IRAQ FALLACY
Of course the rush to compare the London attacks to the Madrid bombings inevitably steers the debate to the erroneous conclusion that the carnage was prompted by the British presence in Iraq. Kate McMillan was quick to point out today…
Re: “I was listening to Charles Adler while trapped at work, and some clown phones in and says the Brits deserved what the got.”
Did you notice how he blamed it on “us” (who’s us?) “meddling in the middle east”? Including “the White Anglo-Saxon Protestants who ran the Crusades”. Huh!? These people are such morons.
Brian O’Neill – typical blame the victim syndrome of the left. You wouldn’t want to blame the criminal/terrorist, you might hurt there feelings.
Bali, anyone? A great fun place; wonderful, nice people. Sun by the ton/tan yourself to 16 skin cancers per hour. (Skin cancer scare- another BS from the do-gooder lefties).
Who knew/thought the Islamic murderers would strike in Bali?
Why would they strike at Canadians? Well, if you live in the lefty world, they will not.
If you live in Canada, and do want maximum press coverage, where would you aim your sleeper cells?
Why, shazam, the infidels to the south of Zanadarabia, need to be murdered.
One shudders to think of the reaction of the US to a strike on the US which was carried out from Canada.
Would the US occupy Ottawa, Montreal, TO, Winnipeg, Moose Jaw, Vancouver, Halifax (port city), and all points between? Absolutely.
Keep your powder dry. The enemy is within the gates.
The Screecher with wet underwear?!???
LOLOL
Come to think of it, maybe that’s what explains her actions all along.
I just hope that the Brits take off the gloves and start arresting their local imams who preach jihad and basically hate everything about the West. Thankfully, the Brits have a friend and his name is W. Now is not a good time to be preaching jihad in London because we are entering round 1 of imam smack-down….
I just hope that the Brits take off the gloves and start arresting their local imams who preach jihad and basically hate everything about the West. Thankfully, the Brits have a friend and his name is W. Now is not a good time to be preaching jihad in London because we are entering round 1 of imam smack-down….
What a gas to follow. Brian has no faith in Anne Mclennan…laughed out loud. John, about spelling. Are you a teacher or a human?
I spell like hell too.. ’cause I’m an artist.
And Colin in Winnipeg. Not too worried about being a target eh? Is that refinery outside of Winnipeg still operating?
Bicardi Breezer suggests Calgary or Fort McMurray could be targets and John Crittenden suggests a pipeline. Pipelines are long and difficult to protect, but they are quick and easy to repair.
The bottleneck is the *REFINERY*. You can’t repair a refinery in a day.
US refineries are likely well protected with all the latest electronics and sharp guards.
Any guesses about the quality of protection for refineries in Canada? [sleepy retiree?]
Now, if a refinery does get hit. Don’t blame me. OBL guys know all about our achilles heels long before we mention stuff here.
Colin, since you live in Winnipeg, you could telephone the refinery and ask if security has been improved. They may already be alert, but if not, your call could spur some timely upgrade that will save us from looking like fools.
Sombody living in Burnaby or Port Moody could call the Ioco Refinery and ask if security has been beefed up. Tell them you are worried about sky-rocketing gas prices at the pump.
No one is about to build a refinery any time soon. The Oil companies are laughing all the way to the bank.
If you live near a refinery. Call them. Suggest sharper security. They are a target.
Gas prices are high enough right now. 73s TG at BendGovt.blog.ca
My Gawd, we all know who the enemy is! I don’t remember the word jihad (or however it’s spelt) being mentioned in my religion classes or for that matter Sunday School. Time to get our heads out of the sand. This is war we are in. Maybe the enemy is not in uniform, and doesn’t even have a specific country, but, we all know who they are. You fight a war like a war…..
Let it all fly. One more attack and you level Medina. Next attack you level Mecca. If it keeps up you turn the place into glass.
The U.S,. should close that UN building and put it to good use. Use your imagination. Next you open Alcatraz and give them a shovel, hoe and some seeds. Then you watch it from NY. Sounds just horrible doesn’t it. Well its war….. Horrible things go on in wartime. At least we don’t slice people’s heads of with dull knives.
Course none of this will happen because we are civilized people and live in a politically correct society. Well I’m not to sure about that; we will have to wait till we are the victims.
Canada is a nation that could legitimately hold weight in the world if she ever truly held a principled position when it mattered. It has not happened in my lifetime that I know of.