Mideast violence may raise odds of US attack-experts

[sabra]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N24432864.htm

Mideast violence may raise odds of US attack-experts

WASHINGTON, July 24 (Reuters) - The Bush administration's tacit support for Israeli military strikes on Lebanon may have increased the danger of militant retaliation against the United States and U.S. interests abroad, some experts say.

...

One European counterterrorism official said it was widely recognized there that Middle East hostilities could become a motivating factor for Sunni groups inspired by Osama bin Laden who ordinarily dislike Hizbollah but might try to exploit the outrage in Arab communities.

"Even al Qaeda itself may be ready with an attack, and they may choose to use it now," said Michael Scheuer, a former CIA counterterrorism official who ran the agency's bin Laden unit.

...

Some former intelligence officers were adamant about a growing danger, however.

"There will be revenge attacks," said one former U.S. official, who remains up to date on counterterrorism strategy.

[leveymg]

1. This crew couldn't foresee 9/11 either.

But, just in case, they had the Patriot Act already written. What's next?

[Demit]

2. Hopefully the U.S. voters will see how coinkydental this all is.

Time to vote...BE AFRAID!...time to vote...BE AFRAID! We need the pattern-recognition brain cell to start kicking in.

[htuttle]

3. Wait a minute - this seems to imply that people have REASONS to attack us!

I don't think we're allowed to insinuate that here in the US. People attack us just 'because they hate our liberty' or more simply because 'they're nuts'.

If we start thinking that people have REASONS for attacking us, then we might start thinking that not everything our government does is pure and good -- and that's not allowed under American Exceptionalism...

[ShortnFiery]

13. "not everything our government does is pure and good"

That is a huge understatement! The USA has killed more innocent civilians (the definition of Terrorism) than both Hamas and Hezbollah combined.

We are the Evil Empire and the world watches in both horror and fear ... wondering who will be the TARGET of the big, bad USA NEXT. I'm sickened by our warmongering leaders. :(

[VegasWolf]

4. "may raise odds???" As in the sun "may" rise tommorow? nt

[uppityperson]

5. Obviousman strikes again, eh?

yup

[Solly Mack]

6. I'm so happy Bush is keeping us safe

of course "revenge attacks" could be directed against the U.S. because of U.S. foreign policy

DUH

Before the illegal invasion of Iraq, people tried to explain how American foreign policy can cause the chickens to come home to roost.

Of course Bush's actions and inactions from the beginning have made America unsafe.

You can't be arrogant about other people's lives and not expect consequences.

This doesn't mean we go crazy with fear, however. This doesn't mean we need new laws. The doesn't mean we need duct tape and plastic wrap to secure our homes. This doesn't mean we round up Muslim men. This doesn't mean we curtail civil rights. This doesn't mean we invade a country for lies, this doesn't mean we illegally detain people, or torture them...oh wait...for America, it does mean all those things doesn't it?

[rodeodance]

12. and the media does not see the irony in this either--just the shock & awe.

[krkaufman]

15. Yeah, it's not like they needed any new reasons.

It's not like we'd healed all old wounds and we were on friendly terms with the rest of the world. I'd say the new developments have a bigger effect on our ability to detect potential threats, since there will now be so much more noise to be filtered.

[lumpy]

7. Well yes.

2 + 2= 4

[Freedom_from_Chains]

8. this one definitely goes in the "No Shit" column. n/t

[Ms. Clio]

9. and when it happens, you may be sure the U.S. will be portrayed

as the innocent victim, accompanied by a rousing chorus of "But why do they hate us?"

[BrewAz]

10. Duhh....Don't you think they knew this....

all along? Must be part of the plan. Apparently the Bush administration wants to make it almost impossible for Americans to travel, live, work or vacation overseas...ANYWHERE. I guess it is OK for our jobs to be exported...just don't go along.

The plan must call for "open season" on any ingrate American who is on foreign soil...Terrorist cells, Pay attention...go get 'em they shouldn't be outside the country...we can't spy on them if they are.

Besides if you listen to the "drug addicted, sexually impotent right-wing wacko talking head on fox"...you will know that those whining Americans in Lebanon should not have been there..it is there own fault they need to get out now.

So...does that mean it WASN't Clinton's fault?

It is easy to get confused...

BrewAz

[Amonester]

11. Stolen elections "may" be coming! Stolen elections "may" be...

And why are we not surprised? :shrug:

Fear! Fear! Fear! Terra! Terra! Terra! :scared:

You "may" be killed while crossing a street tomorrow!

Never mind that reality: Fear the unreal!

And where the hell is bin Forgotten again?

Heck of a job, Herr Rummy!

Is Darth Chenious in his last throes yet?

Karl?!?!?

[L. Coyote]

14. Who wrote this quote?

"...I knew them to have such a bad will ... for the good and peace of this land, I burned them and ordered the city burned and leveled to the ground, because it is so dangerous and so strong that it seems more like a house of thieves than of people."