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more on "Worth reading carefully ...to avoid another catastrophe and about war..."
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2004 13:45:56 -0500
Begin forwarded message: From: Tom Fairlie <tfairlie () frontiernet net> Date: October 31, 2004 12:32:45 PM EST To: dave () farber netSubject: Re: [IP] "Worth reading carefully ...to avoid another catastrophe and about war..."
Hi Dave, Although I'm sure many IP readers don't need to read bin Laden's missive to understand where he (and the Arab world) is coming from, I'm equally convinced that many of them need to learn more. To start, please read the following backgrounder on Lebanon by Juan Cole:http://www.juancole.com/ 2004_10_01_juancole_archive.html#109921236176383690
I think Juan does an excellent job of reporting on the Middle East (often much better than paid journalists) and he summarizes the Lebanese motivation quite effectively. Another great point made by Juan is that the situation we have created in Iraq has brought them a "9-11" every week or month.http://www.juancole.com/ 2004_09_01_juancole_archive.html#109582366638394688
Ironically, the British journal Lancet has also taken a stab at estimating the number of civilian casualties in Iraq since the fall of Saddam and finds the number to be almost an order of magnitude higher than the largest estimate (16,000) being considered (and silenced) by Westerners; about 100,000 people.http://www.juancole.com/ 2004_10_01_juancole_archive.html#109902941049326214
My opinion is that, even though we completely and thoroughly botched the 9-11 investigation, OBL has already owned up to the crime and should be captured/convicted. However, how many terrorists provide such an optimistic ultimatum to their targets (i.e., "Your security is in your own hands. Any nation that does not attack us will not be attacked.")? After getting OBL and any responsible henchmen, it seems like the problem is solved. Right? Well, after Tuesday it might be solved. Hopefully... Ugh! Tom Fairlie www.tomfairlie.com Disclaimer: I do NOT hate my country. Read a book (or ten) and get off my case. ------------------------------------- You are subscribed as interesting-people () lists elistx com To manage your subscription, go to http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/
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- more on "Worth reading carefully ...to avoid another catastrophe and about war..." David Farber (Oct 31)