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The generals and intel people Trump has to pick from are a bunch of losers.
Trump is going to have to steer his own ship.
McMaster fought in Iraq alongside Muslims, he understands better than anyone that we need their cooperation. This was exactly the issue with Vietnam, we did not have the support of the people. The best path to failure is alienating those whose support we need.
You might consider the issue is really one that revolves around problems/conflicts having to do with a good deal more than just religion, and much of these problems, issues, are born from the tectonic plate of the Western World colliding with that of the Middle East, where Islam just happens to be the prevalent religion.
These problems creating the violence, wars, are caused by far more than religious differences, but many people in Islamic countries, primarily in the Middle East, Palestine, see America (and Israel) as part of their problem(s), serious problems, going back to when England and America saw fit to rearrange their world and install leaders who turned out to be their enemies as well. The Shah of Iran, for example. Supporting Iraq's war with Iran for eight years another example of too many...
No point now in pointing fingers. Can't turn back time, but we can at least keep from going backwards, from angering more people than necessary. At least we got our rear ends out of Iraq as part of what I think is the better direction not to further "own" more of this mess in the ME than we already do!
The thread title, "Don't say radical Islamic Terrorism" and content - focuses on the unwillingness of many to even identify those perpetrating terrorism in the world today as "radical Islamic Terrorists"
Whether the problem is a religious issue or not is irrelevant. The simple fact is that the vast majority of the world's terrorism is conducted in the name of Allah by those declaring themselves Islamic/Muslims. -- The qualifying term "radical" acknowledges that these are not mainstream Muslims -- and "Terrorism" identifies their actions of randomly blowing-up and killing innocent people.
The fact that the mainstream Muslims/Islam do not openly disown or disavow these radicals who directly identify themselves as Islamic/Muslims -- either speaks to their acceptance of these people ... or their own fear of reprisals from these radicals (either of which further affirm the reality).
Deflecting the discussion to the culpability of tectonic plates (?), America and England or supporting the Shah of Iran - ignores the reality that these 'radical Islamic Terrorists' pose a real threat to everyone around them. Attempting to "own" the root cause of crazies running around blowing-up buildings, subways, crowded restaurants and threatening much worse --- is like saying, "We all share in the responsibility of 'little Johnny's tough life'" ... after he grew-up and became a serial killer.
The thread title, "Don't say radical Islamic Terrorism" and content - focuses on the unwillingness of many to even identify those perpetrating terrorism in the world today as "radical Islamic Terrorists"
Whether the problem is a religious issue or not is irrelevant. The simple fact is that the vast majority of the world's terrorism is conducted in the name of Allah by those declaring themselves Islamic/Muslims. -- The qualifying term "radical" acknowledges that these are not mainstream Muslims -- and "Terrorism" identifies their actions of randomly blowing-up and killing innocent people.
Deflecting the discussion to the culpability of tectonic plates (?), America and England or supporting the Shah of Iran - ignores the reality that these 'radical Islamic Terrorists' pose a real threat to everyone around them. Attempting to "own" the root cause of crazies running around blowing-up buildings, subways, crowded restaurants and threatening much worse --- is like saying, "We all share in the responsibility of 'little Johnny's tough life'" ... after he grew-up and became a serial killer.
Very few of these terrorists are truly faithful , even the 9/11 bombers frequented a topless bar, if it wasn't Islam it would be something else. The only thing they have in common is they are out of work outcasts for the most part with no future and of course they are crazy. If it wasn't Islam it would be some other cause.
Does the fact that the referenced terrorist organizations (ISIS, Boca Harom, Hezbolah and many others) also refer to themselves as Islamic/Muslims count for anything? ... Or is the objective simply to blame America, Christians and the Bible for the terrorism confronting today's world?
No.
The objective is to blame the folks who DO THE DEEDS - regardless of their religion.
For instance, a couple decades ago, the IRA were the most feared terrorists in Britain.
I know of no sane person who blamed those acts on catholicism as a whole, even though religion was certainly a part of the fight.
I don't particularly like labels that seem to focus on a religion, but the reality is that the vast majority of the world's radical terrorists are Islamic/Muslims (ISIS, Boca Horum, Al Quaida, Hezbollah, etc).
Further, the Islamic/Muslim communities from which these terrorists are spawned, are virtually silent when it comes to condemning their actions.
The Bible foretold this radical behavior when the angel of the Lord spoke to Hagaar, the mother of Ishmael and direct ancestor of Mohammed:
Genesis 16:11-12 (ESV)
"11 And the angel of the Lord said to her, “Behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has listened to your affliction.
12 He shall be a wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen.â€
Quote:
Originally Posted by jghorton
Does the fact that the referenced terrorist organizations (ISIS, Boca Harom, Hezbolah and many others) also refer to themselves as Islamic/Muslims count for anything? ... Or is the objective simply to blame America, Christians and the Bible for the terrorism confronting today's world?
Simply because the terrorist organizations try to justify their actions in the name of Allah is not a valid reason to bring religion into the fight against terrorism. If anything, doing that exacerbates the problem by seemingly turning our actions into a religious war: Christianity versus Islam.
Basing our opposition (at least in part, even a minor part) on Biblical verses potentially places America, Christians and the Bible in a position where they could be "blamed."
Needless to say that is not desirable and certainly not my objective nor I suspect that of any person contributing to this thread.
The phrase "radical Islamic terrorism" has come to mean that Islam is to blame - regardless of how we parse it on this thread. Obama refused to use the phrase for that reason and now so has McMaster.
Peace in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Yemen -- everywhere!
It's not fine in Iraq but they are progressing, they finally have Iraqis fighting isis. Thank god they got rid of Flynn, the solution resides in bringing muslims to our side.
Everyone - well certainly that I'm aware of - seemed to acknowledge that McMaster was well qualified for the job.
But you would have him fired simply because he does not endorse the position that it is somehow to the US' advantage to "religionize" this conflict?
Clearly, he does not agree nor do many others in the intelligence and defense community.
What possible tactical advantage results from using a term that has come to mean "Islam is to blame"?
Folks can hold whatever personal religious beliefs and assessment of this conflict that appeals. No argument there.
But why insist that your military leaders respond in kind - particularly if they do not think it strategic.
I just don't get it.
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