I PREDICT: Closing Gitmo Opens Door to Another 9/11

Not on home soil but there were several terrorist attacks on U.S. outposts after the first attack on the World Trade Center - the barracks in Saudi Arabia, the embassies in Africa, the Cole.

I just find it interesting that folks who give George W. Bush a pass up through 9/11/2001 will probably not do the same to Barack Obama if, God forbid, a terrorist attack happens on U.S. soil(or against a U.S. outpost) on or before 9/11/2009.

 

He is responsible on some level from his inauguration. However, the attacks on 9/11 were in the works before 1/20/01. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush share responsibility here.

 

If an attack occurs in the first year of the Obama administration, I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Unless he is negligent, it won't necessarily be his fault.

 

I agree with you.

 

We're the Big Satan to most of the world because of Bush's policies. I believe Obama will change that and we'll actually have some allies again. Many countries will still be our enemies but we don't have to antagonize them by calling them the "Axis of Evil."

 

Why do you and many others here have this messiah thing about Obama? Compared to Bush he's much, much better but not the messiah.

 

I don't agree with your statement. Bush did not keep us safe on 9/11. He did thereafter. Clinton did have responsibility for preventing the earlier attack on the WTC. I continue to go with Truman's statement. The buck stops here. Presidents need to take responsibility for what happens during their administration. hat applies to both sides of the aisle.

 

God forbid that we should call evil nations evil.

 

Doesn't mean it's smart to do so. A member of your church might be a jerk, but it may not be in the pastor's best interest to call him such from the pulpit.

 

But it is.

 

Can you describe for me some benefits of declaring certain nations to be in an "Axis of Evil"?

 

They are not given a pass.

They are isolated by their actions.

They are given special recognition so as to place them on watch by all peace loving countries.


See simply trying to play nice with countries who leaders are evil never works. Ever.

 

Yup. I stay out of these.

 

We were the great satan back when Carter was president. Not that I expect truth to matter to you.

 

Really? Name these "most" and their exact quotes?

 

1) They weren't given a pass previously.

2) They are already isolated. The term doesn't change a thing.

3) Special reognition..maybe, but if they are already on a list of state sponsors of terrorism, they already have recognition.

I'm not suggesting playing nice. I'm suggesting avoiding unnecessary rhetoric. It's the "speak softly and carry a big stick" method. I think we need to place major pressure on countries like Iran and North Korea, but I don't think a label is going to make any difference.

 

Then why complain

 

I don't think it will make a difference in terms of the effectiveness of our pressure, but I do think that it may have effects on international relations with other countries. It's best to keep our options open and keep our cards close to the vest.

 

I think we should stop sanctioning countries we don't like, it only leads to dead women & children.

One more point, Obama has been asked by Pakistan to stop the drone attacks. Think he'll comply, or is he just another "neocon" ?

 

What countries?