Chaos and Courage

Two weeks into January of 2007, I have very mixed emotions about world events and about our country. Events in the world happen so quickly and news coverage on those events is almost instantaneous. The motto seems to be 'get is quick, get it first'. We hardly have time to digest what's happening and the ramifications it has for us as a nation and as individuals. We're on overload most of the time.

This week I learned that President George W. Bush decided several months ago to undertake a broad military offensive against Iranian operatives in Iraq. (NYT) Some Americans were losing faith in President Bush. We tend to forget that there is a lot going on behind the scenes and, thankfully, the press and blogs don't know about it. I fear that a day is coming when America's safety will depend on our government's ability to keep something quiet from the press. When the press publishes an item, that information is immediately available to our enemies as well as our friends.

What did President Bush's decision to go after Iranians in Iraq get us? "The reported six Iranians detained in a United States raid in Iraq [snip] might have netted the man believed to be in charge of orchestrating insurgent groups within Iraq for Iran, Hassan Abbasi." via In The Bullpen

The Agonist surmises "In adopting a more confrontational approach toward Iran, Mr. Bush has decisively rejected recommendations of the Iraq Study Group that he explore negotiations with Tehran..." I'm thankful that, as A.C. put it, "his backbone is still firm" and Bush is still doing everything he can to keep this nation safe, in spite of those who disagree with him. In his speech he promised:

We will 'expand intelligence sharing, and deploy Patriot air defense systems to reassure our friends and allies We will work with the governments of Turkey and Iraq to help them resolve problems along their border. And we will work with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating the region.

On the other side of the isle, the Democrats are the definition of 'spineless'. Strata Sphere (hat tip spook86) says, " ... so timid about the world’s threats they cannot wait to surrender Iraq to Al Qaeda and do their turtle thing back here pretending minimum wage for entry level workers is salvation for mankind as we know it."

That's part of the frustration, the Democrats are opposed to everything Bush suggests, but they offer no plan of their own. Bush's response to their 'ask tough questions, stop the funding, no ideas' strategy:

"To oppose everything while proposing nothing is irresponsible," [snip] "Members of Congress have a right to express their views, and express them forcefully," Bush said. "But those who refuse to give this plan a chance to work have an obligation to offer an alternative that has a better chance for success. " (CNN/AP)

For those who believe there will never be peace in the Middle East until the Palestinians are pacified, there are others who believe that will never happen. We cannot put everything on the back burner waiting for that day. 'The United States wants to move more swiftly to shore up Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is locked in a power struggle with Hamas.' As Condi Rice heads over to the Middle East she said, "I'm not coming with a proposal, I'm not coming with a plan". (CBS)

Though he had been urged by Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain, Mr Bush did not even make an explicit reference to US efforts to bring Israel and the Palestinians towards a negotiated settlement and said merely that Dr Rice would be visiting the region this weekend as part of a broader effort to promote peace in the region. --Gerard Baker RCP

It is comforting to know that Bush is still on top of terrorists around the world, like "the suspected salafist terrorists with blueprints of embassies and names of foreign diplomats who were among those killed in a January 3 firefight with Tunisian police." Another great example is the efforts of United States military in Somalia. The attack with the AC130H gunship and the patrolling U.S. warships to prevent al-Qaeda from escaping the area.

Other concerns for the United States that our government is dealing with behind the scenes, hopefully:

* Shiite Muslim militants are a growing threat to the U.S, in addition to Al-Qaeda, the Sunni Muslim terrorist group behind the Sept. 11 attacks, Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte told the Senate Intelligence Committee in Washington.

* Abu Musab Abdul Wadud, the Emir of the Salafist Group for Call and Combat [GSPC], a terrorist group in Algeria which allied with al-Qaeda, threatens terror attacks in video, saying “We are Coming,” (SITE)

* Terrorists in Lebanon Jund el Sham, "Literally meaning The Soldiers of Syria, several sources attribute the term Jund al-Sham to Prophet Mohammed's terming of Palestine as Bilad al-Sham, or Geographic Syria, a term that later came to include present-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine." (source)

* Iran's President Mahmoud (who wants Israel gone and believes Hitler was a Jew) and his relationship with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez (who is another threat all by himself).

* Al-Qaeda ‘rebuilding’ in Pakistan and the Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan.

* Ba’ath Party rejects Bush plan: The solution is the armed resistance

And so it goes. Terror threats and attacks on a daily basis. Countries, like Russia, who were headed toward democracy but are now looking like the old Russia. Spies killing spies, freedoms being squashed, relationships with the United States damaged. The news agencies will be busy this year, bloggers will be typing their fingers off trying to keep up. It is overwhelming, but I have faith that the really important decisions are being kept secret. At least that's my prayer. Each day we are presented with chaos and with courage. Hopefully courage will come out on top.

Related:
Closing Your Eyes and Refusing to "See"..., Wake Up America
Only Israel, US, Eligible For Human Rights Criticism: UN Security Council, Rhymes With Right
Iran Be Patient, Your Turn Is Next, Right Wing Guy

Linked with
Perri Nelson's Blog
123Beta
Woman Honor Thyself
Planck's Constant
Faultline USA , Xenophobia and Xenophily

Comments

[Jason]

What "little dirty religious secrets" would those be, Maggie?

Would it be the fact that Islam's prophet (that would be Mohammed) was a rapist, murderer, liar, thief, child molestor, bigamist, and all around evil person? And all of that is according to the Hadiths. It's nice when a religion's very texts declares the evil of itself.

It sounds to me as if Islam is the one trying to keep "little dirty religious secrets".

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." - Matthew 7:20

[Debbie]

Well, Maggie, forgive me for stating the obvious. But you prove all my points with your comment, '... we are willing to fight them till we die protecting Islam from their evil little hands'.

nuff said.

[steve nash]

Do you people really exist? Some have said that the definition of hell is the absence of reason.

[Maggie]

Well you know, as a Shi'i..this is all so expected.

The reason the West is terrified is because we know all their little dirty religious secrets and we are willing to fight them till we die protecting Islam from their evil little hands.

[Debbie]

Christi, I don't agree with Bush on a lot of things either, like illegal aliens for one. I do believe he has America's safety first and foremost on his agenda. I like that. For me that is the most important topic.

[Christi]

While I don't agree with Bush about a lot of issues, the man has the courage we need today. You can't run away and you can't solve the world's problems by hugging a dictator or a terrorist. I think the hatred of this administration has lead to a lot of the leaks but I have faith that the important 'secrets' are still being kept.

[Faultline USA]

I also hope and pray that you are right and that the important decisions are being kept secret!