...sad to say, it appears that almost 5 years after 9/11, we have NOT defeated "terror." Look at how far this plot, to blow up numerous passenger planes and commit "mass murder on an unimaginable scale" over the Atlantic Ocean, appears to have gotten. The point here is not that we stop fighting anti-American terrorism. The point here is simply that, nearly 5 years after 9/11, we aren't "winning" this war in the sense that the enemy is anywhere near defeat. In fact, the last State Department report - never made public, by the way - indicated that "the number of what the U.S. government considers 'significant' attacks grew to about 655 last year, up from the record of around 175 in 2003."
Meanwhile, the forces of international terrorism appear to be alive and well, whether they go by the name Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Lashkar-e-Toiba, or many others. So how are we "winning" this war? For comparison purposes, 5 years after the the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, we had won "unconditional surrender" of both Japan and Germany. How close are we now to "unconditional surrender" of terrorist forces out there? Is that even the goal? What is the goal, anyway?
I've got more questions for our great leaders, people like George Bush and George Allen. In this war, where's the finish line? And where's the plan for winning it? Is the entire plan for winning the "war on terror" to create a Democracy in Iraq? If so, that (sadly) doesn't appear to be working out too well. Do we have a plan to revent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons? If so, that (sadly) doesn't appear to be working out too well. Do we have a plan to contain North Korea and prevent that country from threatening its neighbors with nuclear-armed missiles? If so, that (sadly) doesn't appear to be working out too well. Do we have a plan to prevent proxies of countries like Iran from attacking our allies? If so, that (sadly) doesn't appear to be working out too well. Etc., etc.
The bottom line here is that, despite claims by the Bush Administration that we are "winning" the war on terror, there are still plenty of terrorists out there. And they keep coming damn close to committing "mass murder on an unimaginable scale." So again, great work by the British, but...
P.S. Not to be TOO blatant about this, but isn't it time for us to elect people who really "get it" on foreign policy and national security? People like, oh, Jim Webb for instance? :)
Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign. The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not necessarily represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.
And to imply that we aren't "winning" just because some terrorists still exist is an unbelievable example of fear politics. There is no way we can ever eliminate every terrorist but the fact that this plot was discovered and shut down is something to celebrate, not politicize.
Like I said, I know I'll get attacked for (and I'm sure I'll be troll rated) but I just couldn't not respond. Lowell, I'm very disappointed with this post as it is not something I'd expect from you or the Webb campaign. But I've said my piece and I'll let it go.
The issue of terrorism, how it defines our world, how both sides use it for political gain, how a war on an evil philosophy is even fought, is extremely complex and deserving of significant debate.
Personally, I wouldn't take Lowell to task for pointing out a part of that complexity and how it relates to Republican claims that they are the ones to be trusted on the matter of terrorism. His points pale in comparison to the massive exploitation of terrorism issues undertaken by the Bush Administration (and most Republicans) for their own gain.
And yes, I do agree that the discovery and thwarting of this plot is a great thing worthy of celebration no matter where you stand politically.
I also don't have a problem with us making the argument that we're better suited to protect the country than the Republicans. However, I do have a problem with using a glorious law enforcement victory as an opportunity to create fear and anxiety among the voters.
We all know we can't kill all the terrorists. To imply failing to do is failing in the "war" is just wrong. Today should be where we celebrate a victory and redouble our efforts to protect ourselves, not take political shots.
I think this is a ridiculous post. We don't even know all of the details of this terrorist attempt, and may not know it for a while, and liberals are already trying to politicize this attack! I honestly cannot believe this! I know I go back and forth on this site sometimes but I am seriously shocked and I am not trying to be funny.
If liquids are bad for flight, the mules will be on a flight, instead of heroin they will have parts of liquid bombs.
We are not safe in a plane.
If Bush says only he can make you safe, he is LYING.
That is the way things are. If you think its Making politics where it shouldnt be, so be it.The Blair Bush project is alive and well, and is quite the horror story.
Allen .... no longer a factor for 2008.