Mass
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Thu Jul-07-05 12:54 PM
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| An analysis of the bombing in London |
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Edited on Thu Jul-07-05 01:02 PM by Mass
I posted it on LBN, but I found this analysis interesting because the author is trying to think a little farther than the usual anathema game. I though I would post it here for those who do not go over there anymore. http://www.tompaine.com/articles/20050707/why_london_why_now.php
Why London? Why Now?
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For the moment, I am assuming this was the work of Al Qaeda. If that is the case, the timing of the attack is significant. The G8 Summit has, as its primary focus, two issues that could strike at the heart of Islamic extremism by draining the swamp: climate change and poverty.
Addressing climate change requires radically improving transportation fuel efficiency and transitioning off fossil fuels as a source of energy. To the extent that the United States and the rest of the world adopts sensible climate change policies, the strategic importance of the Persian Gulf diminishes and America has more room to promote real democratic and economic reform in the region. Al Qaeda's strategy, however, requires American dependence on Persian Gulf energy, to ensure that America continues to wage war to protect its energy supply.
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Addressing poverty in the developing world, particularly in Africa, also hurts Al Qaeda's side. To the extent that America is seen as an imperial aggressor, planting strings of military bases to protect access to economic resources, the Al Qaeda propaganda is reinforced. Significant progress on global poverty, however, also "drains the swamp" of the recruits, resources, territory and cooperation that these groups need to operate.
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Looking Forward
So now it is time for progressives to keep the focus on draining the swamp, not on counterproductive military adventures that will only reinforce Al Qaeda propaganda. Aggressive and innovative policies to address climate change and poverty are two of the most powerful ways accomplish this. So is a smart exit strategy from Iraq and a final settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.
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| ginnyinWI
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Thu Jul-07-05 01:31 PM
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I'm not going over there for a while at least--reached my limit (again!).
This analysis makes perfect sense to me. Solve the sources of terrorist recruits, and they are out of business.
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| Island Blue
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Thu Jul-07-05 04:13 PM
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I think the first step we need to take toward helping to achieve these goals however is to get the very folks who are making lots and lots of money off of both oil and gas and Third World poverty (namely Shrub Co.) out of power. I think they stand in the way of any significant progress on those two issues.
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| sandnsea
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Sat Jul-09-05 02:25 AM
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Edited on Sat Jul-09-05 02:26 AM by sandnsea
I posted a piece on the progress made at the summit, and got a thread full of shit for my trouble. Did you know that the only way to end poverty is to end capitalism?
:banghead:
I've about had my fill around here. Not here, here, just, oh you know what I mean...
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| Pirate Smile
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Sat Jul-09-05 02:35 AM
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| 4. There is something weird in the air today (or on the Internet). |
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I posted a joking response to someone's post in the Lounge. They took it serious and got offended. I responded by apologizing, saying I forgot to include my sarcasm smiley and pointing out that I was joking because it was similar to another huge, flame type thread which had used the same language, etc.
No response back.
I later responded that I thought about why I didn't use my sarcasm smiley and realized I thought they were speaking tongue in cheek and I responded back the same way.
No response back.
7 hours later I sent a PM (which I never do) just stating again that it was just a little misunderstanding, sorry, blah, blah.
No response back.
And they have been on DU all day.
OK. Just seems weird. Whatever.
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Fri May 10th 2024, 10:43 PM
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