36 replies to this topic

[Corp]

The whole "War on Terror" theory is stupid since it has no defined goals and solid realistic objectives. That being said the main conflicts linked to it is the Afghan War and Iraq War. One is ending sooner than planned and one has already ended.

[Kafkaesque]

“When a war breaks out, people say: ‘It’s too stupid; it can’t last long.’ But though it may be ‘too stupid,’ that doesn’t prevent its lasting. Stupidity has a knack of getting its way; as we should see if we were not always so much wrapped up in ourselves.”

- Albert Camus, The Plague

Edited by Eonwe, 13 January 2013 - 04:08 AM.

[Yamato]

Lord Vetinari, on 12 January 2013 - 09:23 PM, said:

Well, of course, having a shadowy Them that you can tell your people they should fear is a classic technique of governments, it doesn't have to be totalitarian ones. That's why George B (sr.) was so eager to stand up to defend Freedom (i.e., er. Kuwait ), since with the Berlin Wall coming down he could see that the Them who had been a satisfactory menace for 40 years would soon not be so. And that is probably why he didn't finish the job against Saddam the first time round, so he'd have a suitable menace in reserve for when he needed one. And also, I suspect, that may have been why George B (Jr.) didn't Get Public Enemy #1, old Bin L, since surely he must have been aware of where he was; it didn't take Mr. O long to find out, did it. Since the trouble is, of course, that if you take out PE #1, then either you've still got to insist that the Global Terror Network is as much of a danger as it ever was (so, perhaps, taking out #1 didn't make all that much difference), or you have to look for some new Enemy. So obviously it's in their interests to keep the good fight going, isn't it. And that's probably why they've been so keen to promote Iran as the new Menace, since perhaps they're realising that more and more people are beginning to get skeptical about the Global Terror Network.

Herbert saved Kuwait because Saddam Hussein was staring down the neck of almost half the world's oil.  "Operation Desert Shield" and his "Line in the sand" were deliberately designed to protect his "very special friends" in the House of Saud from the "butcher of Baghdad".

[Colonel Rhuairidh]

and then, on 12 January 2013 - 09:30 PM, said:

Nice story.  Possibly true.  But does this mean you discount the idea that Islamist ideology is at all a threat to democracies in the west?

Anyone could be a threat to Governments in the West, if Governments in the West want them to be. That's the crucial thing; Governments in the West want there to be a constant threat to them. Perhaps encouraged from time to time by some timely provocation.
Who, incidentally, are these "Democracies" in the West? I haven't seen too many of them.

[lightly]

terror |ˈterər|noun1 extreme fear: people fled in terror | [ in sing. ] : a terror of darkness.• the use of such fear to intimidate people, esp. for political reasons; terrorism:weapons of terror.• [ in sing. ] a person or thing that causes extreme fear: his unyielding scowl becamethe terror of the Chicago mob.• (the Terror) the period of the French Revolution between mid 1793 and July 1794 when the ruling Jacobin faction, dominated by Robespierre, ruthlessly executed anyone considered a threat to their regime. Also called reign of terror.2 (also holy terror ) informal a person, esp. a child, who causes trouble or annoyance:placid and obedient in their parents' presence, but holy terrors when left alone.PHRASEShave (or hold ) no terrors for someone not frighten or worry someone.ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French terrour, from Latin terror, fromterrere ‘frighten.’word trends: When George W. Bush declared a ‘War on Terror’ in September 2001 he was employing a new, and highly charged, synonym for terrorism. Before 2001, terror was a fairly uncommon word in the Oxford English Corpus, but it has since shown a steady rise in use, with the majority of examples being used synonymously with terrorism. It is now commonly seen as a modifier, with attack, bombing, suspect, and plot all common collocates. However, the use of terror has dropped off since a peak in 2007. In March 2009, the US Defense Department officially changed the name of its operations from ‘Global War on Terror’ to ‘Overseas Contingency Operation.’

Edited by lightly, 13 January 2013 - 12:15 PM.

[Babe Ruth]

The GWOT, and OCO, are frauds of epic proportions.

That 11 years later so many people actually believe it is legitimate provides good insight into why we have the government we deserve.

[AsteroidX]

They just keep adding terror groups and profit.

[Kafkaesque]

lightly, on 13 January 2013 - 12:11 PM, said:

terror |ˈterər|noun1 extreme fear: people fled in terror | [ in sing. ] : a terror of darkness.• the use of such fear to intimidate people, esp. for political reasons; terrorism:weapons of terror.• [ in sing. ] a person or thing that causes extreme fear: his unyielding scowl becamethe terror of the Chicago mob.• (the Terror) the period of the French Revolution between mid 1793 and July 1794 when the ruling Jacobin faction, dominated by Robespierre, ruthlessly executed anyone considered a threat to their regime. Also called reign of terror.2 (also holy terror ) informal a person, esp. a child, who causes trouble or annoyance:placid and obedient in their parents' presence, but holy terrors when left alone.PHRASEShave (or hold ) no terrors for someone not frighten or worry someone.ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French terrour, from Latin terror, fromterrere ‘frighten.’word trends: When George W. Bush declared a ‘War on Terror’ in September 2001 he was employing a new, and highly charged, synonym for terrorism. Before 2001, terror was a fairly uncommon word in the Oxford English Corpus, but it has since shown a steady rise in use, with the majority of examples being used synonymously with terrorism. It is now commonly seen as a modifier, with attack, bombing, suspect, and plot all common collocates. However, the use of terror has dropped off since a peak in 2007. In March 2009, the US Defense Department officially changed the name of its operations from ‘Global War on Terror’ to ‘Overseas Contingency Operation.’

Which means the redefined their operation - which means they renewed the War Department.

[lightly]

i don't know what it might mean!   ..  "overseas contingency operation' ?  

this made me laugh though
    ..contingency |kənˈtinjənsē|
noun ( pl. contingencies )a future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty: a detailed contract that attempts to provide for all possible contingencies.• a provision for such an events or circumstance: a contingency reserve.• an incidental expense: allow an extra fifteen percent in the budget for contingencies.• the absence of certainty in events: the island's public affairs can be invaded by contingency.
• Philosophy the absence of necessity; the fact of being so without having to be so.
ORIGIN mid 16th cent. (in the philosophical sense): from late Latin contingentia (initsmedieval Latin sense ‘circumstance’), from contingere ‘befall’ (see contingent).  


*

Edited by lightly, 14 January 2013 - 02:02 AM.

[WHO U KIDDIN]

‘Overseas Contingency Operation.’

Just another example of Orwellian Newspeak...

Call a war by another name so there ain't no war to talk about.

[and then]

JasonPollock, on 12 January 2013 - 11:46 PM, said:

If you actually believe the rubbish you're spouting you are truly the epitome of the "weak minded and easily manipulated individual" described above.

It's exactly as stated above: all to do with central banking, power, money and resources. They're in these third world developing countries and have been for centuries now for a number of reasons, and NONE of them to do with some "ideology" crap. They want to spread their power, influence and government over anywhere that they can invade, and while they are there they see fit to take all the natural resources said country is pouring out too. If you genuinely believe that the 'scary Muslim ideology' is going to come and take us all over (gasp!) and the 'scary Muslim terrorists are going to invade and blow every building up and implement Sharia law all throughout the land' (double gasp!), you are utterly stupid and should stay watching FOX News while reading your Daily Mail. You're obviously a brainwashed sheep with no desire to seek out the truth in said situations, and if you truly believe that this 'ideology' is a threat to anyone, please do us all a favour and re-evaluate your life.

I thought you might relate to this article from your truly beloved, the ignorant, racist, homophobic, bigoted, hate spouting institution that is the Daily Mail.

http://www.dailymail...plications.html

Welcome to UM JP.  Don't be shy - tell me what you REALLY think     As to real causes  " all to do with central banking, power, money and resources."  I admit that these are the things that make the world go 'round.  But young man if you are satisfied to the point of smugness that by labeling one side in this conflict and ignoring the other - that somehow you make it less dangerous -  then I feel for you.  Especially since you look to be of an age where you might be invited to join the dance whether you like it or not.  My intention is not to argue with you - in fact if you continue with your insolent tone I'll just have to ignore you but I really am interested in everyone's opinions here.  To listen and try to be open minded is the only way to grow in knowledge.

[Colonel Rhuairidh]

Eonwe, on 14 January 2013 - 01:36 AM, said:

Which means the redefined their operation - which means they renewed the War Department.

i've always found the name "Defense Department" somewhat ironic.

[and then]

Babe Ruth, on 13 January 2013 - 03:27 PM, said:

The GWOT, and OCO, are frauds of epic proportions.

That 11 years later so many people actually believe it is legitimate provides good insight into why we have the government we deserve.

So you really believe that 9-11 and the numerous acts tied to Islamic terror groups(who claim responsibility in some cases) is all just a western conspiracy to make profit for some nefarious organizations?

[Simbi Laveau]

The New Richard Nixon, on 12 January 2013 - 08:50 PM, said:

The war on terror is not just an American thing

America coined the phrase "war on terror" .

[Babe Ruth]

and then, on 14 January 2013 - 11:52 AM, said:

So you really believe that 9-11 and the numerous acts tied to Islamic terror groups(who claim responsibility in some cases) is all just a western conspiracy to make profit for some nefarious organizations?

I'm speaking of the events of 11 September only.  Not sure of the specifics of 'numerous acts.'

The reasons for 911 is not JUST money and profit, but those are certainly a significant part of the motives.

Also, destruction of evidence, allowing certain Securities to be cashed in anonymously, traumatizing the psyche of the american people (terrorizing them), weakening constitutional safeguards against government intrusion, growing the federal bureaucracy, spawning 2 interminable wars, advancing Israeli interests, and advancing empire for the oil industry.

Simbi Laveau, on 14 January 2013 - 01:10 PM, said:

America coined the phrase "war on terror" .

I think the Israeli government was equally complicit.