Weakness of the "Flypaper" Argument

[dreissig]

The fact that Iraq is attracting terrorists from all over the world means that America's "flypaper" strategy is working, we are told. Instead of having to fight them here, we are fighting them in Iraq. As bad as it is that Americans are dying in Fallujah, it would be a lot worse if it were happening in Los Angeles.

What nonsense. The flypaper strategy is the Bush administration's spin on a guerrilla war that is turning out to be more expensive than originally envisioned. Iraq is indeed attracting terrorists but they aren't glued there as the analogy would suggest. They are learning from each other and developing the kinds of skills they'll use in other places. Call it the College of Terrorism if you like.

From earliest days the connection between Iraq and global terrorism was weak. Bush made Iraq a mandatory part of a young terrorist's education by waging a colonial war on that sovereign country. As Wittenberg was to Hamlet, Baghdad is to a new generation of anti-American zealots. Foreigners coming to Iraq to make their bones as skilled killers of Americans won't necessarily stay there. There's lots of anti-Americanism around now, and each day there's more. That's the legacy Bush is leaving for the next generation.

[La_Serpiente]

1. I wonder if the American families realize this

their sons and daughters and fathers and mothers have just become the target of terrorists.

[ComerPerro]

2. The most insulting part of that argument

The flypaper argument, not yours BTW,

Is the fact that Bush lied us into war apparently so he could create a trap that would draw terrorists and force them to fight us there.

Gee, isn't that just wonderful fucking news for people that have loved ones over there????



And I hardly think we would be "fighting terrorists in the streets" anywhere in the US. I am guessing that is just a sick, twisted FReeper fantasy.

Be careful though, because they might want to someday act on this by killing a muslim or a liberal "terrorist".

[Paschall]

3. Logical flaw

The number of flies is not finite.

IF you could close the windows (the borders and the media), no more flies could get inside.

But that's still forgetting the rotting corpse in the corner where the maggots are thriving.

So, under those circumstances, how often do you have to change the flypaper?

The latter question points to the moral flaw in the argument:

Our troops have been designated, by this administration, as the target. How many generations of them will it take to eliminate the "infestation"? Ya might wanna ask Israel for a hint to the answer to that question.

[izzie]

6. I think you are wrong. I said think.Do not blow your top.

Terrorists have always done as they like to a point. The main reason I think you are wrong is that even police states have had terrorists. It is not open borders, we had Am. into this, if you recall, and they were living in a free country. It is what is in the minds of these people. Easy to go to Iraq now and do the killing but in the mean time I am sure they are in any country that they feel are doing them wrong. I do believe every society has these people that sees the means are not what counts and anyone can die to get what they want.They will kill you, me or their own people if we stand in their way, Walls do not stop them.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. The argument that Iraq is flypaper for terrorists makes

the false assumption that there is a finite amount ..a beginning and an end. Since nothing could be further from the truth, who cares? You kill a bunch of terrorists, you create more...called the next generation.

[JackSwift]

5. The flypaper argument is purely for freeper consumption

Anyone with half a brain, even Bush, knows that it is utter nonsense. There is no situation in the world, no matter how bad, that a sufficiently creative marketer (or lawyer) cannot stand on its head and assert that the bad news is really good news.

The Great Depression: a market correction. The soup lines: American charity at work, etc.

Nuclear waste: an industry for Nevada, if only they would see the light.

Serial murderers: good grist for Hollywood Silence of the Lamb movies, and reinforces good behavior, because only sinners become victims.


See! It's easy! You can come up with better ones yourself if you put some time and effort into it. And you get better with practice. William Safire doesn't even know he's an ass anymore.


This sort of stuff is really only meant to be swallowed by freepers, as most people wouldn't believe this crapola even when seriously drunk. Only someone who desparately needs to believe it would swallow it. That accounts for 30 percent of the population. And as long as they can keep another 15 to 20 percent disgusted with their stupidity, it serves its purpose.

[Gore1FL]

7. More logical flaws

The situation in Iraq requires US troops to perform guard duty -- this tactically puts them in less than defensable positions. Additionally, having to ship soldiers around the world is an expensive option.

Hence, We are going to the expense of sending tens of thousands of troops around the world to put them in an exposed position.

It reminds me of the civil war battle of Chancellorsville -- except that Joseph Hooker at least TRIED to take up a legitimate defensive position.

[LittleApple81]

8. Why is it better to fight in Iraq? The terrorism will kill the Iraqis we

are "rescuing" instead of Americans in US soil.
And who cares about the American soldiers? Not the repugs for sure.