Iraq and 9-11

[SPEEDO]

I have often thought that if 9-11 never happened where would the state of the world be right now. Would we be knocking on Iraqs door looking to knock off Saddam? Or do you think GWB would have found another way to this end by some other channel.

[reticent]

While there are no direct links between the Al Qaeda members in Iraq to 9/11 and the main concern with Iraq is non-compliance- not the Al Qaeda members there, I do believe that 9/11 brought the wrath of the US down on Saddam. After taking down the Taliban and the Al Qaeda strongholds in Afghanistan, the next step was to chase more Al Qaeda members. Somalia was on choice, as were Syria and Sudan. Of those other nations, Iraq poses the biggest threat, so I think that is what brought our President to the conclusion to end the Iraqi buildup and Iraq's policy of ignoring the UN resolutions for the past 12 years.

[Knothead]

Good question...yes, I do believe that GWB would be dragging America to Saddam's doorstep anyway.

My reasoning: (and you guys are not going to like this one bit, but...)

i) The economy is in the toilet-- When war breaks out, the military-Industrial complex's stock goes through the roof; and some of it naturally spills back into the street-level economy (not the one reported on by the Federal Reserve, but rather, the one that I, and maybe you, live in.). War is the biggest economic quick-fix there is.

ii) The "investors" want a return on the investment-- It costs a LOT of money to get into the Oval Office. The same Military-Industrial complex which helped purchase the Presidency for GWB are starting to get impatient, especially with the economy the way it is. They're not making them big bucks yet, and President Bush has got tremendous pressure on him to get it GOING!!

iii) The next election-- We voters almost NEVER vote a sitting President out of office whenever there's a war going on. Where GWB would be worm food for the Dems, based mainly on his lack of leadership/results in the incredibly important Economic area, with a war in full swing, those same Democrats would have to sit there and act all respectful-like, especially considering the hyper-active levels of "patriotism" going on these days.

Conclusion: GWB must get America into a war, and bloody pronto. Either that, or begin LEADING the nation in meaningful ways, thereby doublecrossing his backers...even if he COULD...

I mean, let's face it, he certainly ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer. But he does know his limitations, so here's a way he can pull this Presidency off, and hopefully look good doing it.

Too bad so many people will have to die.

[reticent]

Knothead,
What about the threat of Saddam? How do you think that plays into things? ...conspiracy theories aside...

[Knothead]

Saddam Hussein, I believe, is a clear and present danger to America. And once we get done with him, his successor will be, as well. But if we have such a problem with him, or any other world leader, seems we could certainly put either commando teams or double agents or any number of resorces (that we most certainly have) to either kill him or get him out of office.

This could probably be accomplished relatively inexpensively, and quicly, too. Which is precisely why that won't happen.

i) The economy is in the toilet--

?What? Interest rates are at a 40 year low! How can the economy be in the toilet? There are jobs out there.

Unlike a time in the 70's when it was 21% unemployed and interest was 18% or more..

[Mike]

I thought they dropped interest rates when the economy was low...

To encourage spending.. Yeah but why was it so high in the late 70's when unemployment was at an all time high?

[Knothead]

Originally posted by surreal
To encourage spending.. Yeah but why was it so high in the late 70's when unemployment was at an all time high?

Because inflation, at that time, was through the roff...

Yeah, I remember those double-digit home mortgage rates, yeesh.

Today's economy? I don't even contribute to my own IRA anymore after LOSING about 30% of its value in the last year and a half...people are financially scared right now, at least where I am. Construction is almost stalled, new home starts are less than HALF of what they have consistently been for the last 7 years, and the car dealers (this area is one of the country's HUGEST markets for new cars) are singing the blues.

Interest rates, the prime, etc. get to be abstract concepts...I am seeing people closing it (the economy) down.

[Chuckiechan]

I think the issue for our national security is "sanctuary". In other words, you can't call yourself a country if you can't control what goes on in it. Al Queda doesn't act in a vacuum. It needs money, shelter, and political cover. Afganistan provided the shelter, Saudi Arabia the money, and Iraq and Iran the political cover: "It has always been a good thing to kill jews, but now you can kill Americans, too!" Try getting away with advertising that in America!

So to dismantel the power structure, you start with old business: Iraq
Iran is ready for revolution especially when they are emboldend by our success in Iraq. Now you have a relatively peaceful, pro - democracy dividing the Arab world in two: Turkey, Iraq, Iran. Then the friendly government shuts down the religious schools (the martyr factories), and creates a real educational system.
Now comes Israel. With Syria and Jordan cut off from a friendly Iraq, Hezbolla is without political cover and shelter. The money (mostly) comes from the Saudi's. The Saudi's can be easily bought: stop sending them money or we take you to the UN as war criminals supporting terriorism. Won't work but will embarass the heck out of them! This is how the Palestinian problem will be solved.

And this I predict is the long-range end game that Washington wants to see created. And I agree that it will be good for the Arabs, the Jews, and America.