The Islamic threat to our Nation is Highly Exaggerated by the Neocons

[Philosoraptor]

http://consortiumnews.com/2006/060806.html

Bush’s intent appears to be to use a never-ending hyped-up threat of Islamic terrorism as the organizing principle for a new authoritarian form of government in the United States. By keeping Americans scared, he and his advisers believe they can exert virtually unlimited power inside the United States without significant opposition.

Bush’s strategy also might have a circular quality to it. As long as he cites the threat of Islamic terrorism, he can maintain enough political support to keep U.S. troops in Iraq and continue the operation of the Guantanamo Bay prison.

That, in turn, will keep young Muslims riled up and thus increase the likelihood of sporadic violence in the months ahead. That will further stoke the fears inside the United States and let Bush consolidate his authoritarian powers even more.

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[afrosia]

1. No Way!

I don't believe Bush would ever have the mental capacity to be this organised.

[Philosoraptor]

2. Bush is dumber than shit of course.

So yes, you'd be correct in that assumption.

[sendero]

10. As if..

... Bush is doing anything he isn't told to.

[sarge43]

11. Smirk's a hand puppet

Cheney, Rove et al are running this show. Smirk went along for the ride because he wanted to give Poppy and Jebby the middle finger salute. "I'm smart! I ain't dumb like everyone says."

[FloridaPat]

3. It's played well for almost 2000 years. CHristians vs Muslims.

Now at a local crusade near you. This would make it the longest religious war ever I think. God must be real proud of His creations.

[cali]

9. Sorry to nitpick but of course it hasn't been 2000 years

Islam is some 600 years younger than Christianity.

[FloridaPat]

12. I did say almost 2000 years.

[izzie]

4. Come on, Russia is gone. We need the CIA for some one.

Subs to shot at caves, standing armies to fight 20,000 men with guns who we can not beat, oh so may reasons the terrorist must be a real bad group. Course they have been around for many many years and we were sort of not interested as we had the Reds then. Face it, we seem to like to kill some one all the time. That business of making arms we have kept home. Tax payers will pay any amount for those things.

[CJCRANE]

5. Exactly -

The US has the biggest military in the world and no-one to face off against since the USSR fell.

5,000 al-Qaeda fighters living in caves wasn't enough so instead of finishing the job in Afghanistan they let the leaders escape and regroup. Now they try to pin the al-Qaeda tag on any two-bit terror cell that crops up anywhere all in the hope of convincing us there's some world-wide conspiracy.

Let's face it - America is fairly safe from major terror attacks - they can only happen if the govt turns a blind eye and lower's America's defenses (as per 9/11). As for smaller attacks bin Laden doesn't seem interested in those nor can I imagine some al-Qaeda foot-soldier travelling all the way from Afghanistan just to terrorise Tappahanook (or wherever).

On edit: however now because of the Iraq War and occupation the threat to Europe (which is pretty much next door to the ME) and US facilities abroad is much greater.

[bridgit]

6. there is no money to be made from an enemy that is not there...

the cold war is gone; a faceless, eternally shape-shifting enemy is far more to the linking of the military-industrial complex, and threads more completely into orwellian notions of non, asymmetrical , or never-ending war

that is a no brainer ~

[Bad Penny]

7. Yesterday

I caught the opening of some NASCAR race flipping channels and a pastor over the loud speaker gave thanks to God and the US military for protecting Americans from terrorists so that 'we can enjoy this event in safety and freedom'. And the soldiers in camo fatigues all looked thugs somehow they way it was staged. The crowd of thousands of course cheered it like good 500% patriots.

Gave me chills. If Bush hadn't invaded Iraq, terrorists would destroy NASCAR?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. Dictators always have a scapegoat

someone "different" for the masses to fear and hate. With Hitler, it was the Jews. With Bush and the neocons, its the Muslims. Do you think that if 911 had been done by rwing Christian groups in this country or, say, the IRA, Bush would have been able to get away with grabbing so much power? Of course not. But most Americans know little of Islam, and it scares them-the perfect bogeyman for Bushco.

[sweetheart]

13. islam is the fastest growing religion

and statistically, it will have a long term impact way beyond anything the neocrims can conceive.

The religion of the slave, in a culture that enslaves, is hoover'ed in by the vacuum of the plantation.