Comments on Everybody's Claiming Victory In Lebanon

Go to The Crystal Earth - Add a comment - Go to Everybody's Claiming Victory In Lebanon

There is little doubt of that, Azur, as there is little doubt that al Qaeda

and other extremist factions, organizations, and religious fringe groups were strengthened by U.S. involvement in Iraq (and, to a lesser degree, Afghanistan).  Two military mistakes, both completely supported by the Bush administration, that has increased polarization amongst the world's extremist or radically leaning Muslims against the United States.  Bush calling Lebanon the "new front" on the War on Terror was as idiotic as it was priceless.  And thanks for the link, Azur.

posted by saul_relative on August 15, 2006 at 2:20 PM | link to this | reply

saul, good post

There was an interesting article in the New Yorker setting out various views from Lebanon including the one that Hezbollah has been strengthened through all of this.
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/060807fa_fact

posted by Azur on August 15, 2006 at 12:33 AM | link to this | reply

Considering the current antipathy towards the war, martyr might be the

wrong word to use.  However, as moronic as the Bush administration has been with regard to the Middle East, it sounds like something they would do.  "Dying for freedom", "dying for liberty", "sacrificing for world democracy" or some such.  As much as the administration may be in denial about the war and what is going on, I'm disgusted with the constant spin.

posted by saul_relative on August 14, 2006 at 11:34 PM | link to this | reply

I agree completely ...

And, also, Hezbollah couldn't care less about the number of casualties they have incurred (just so long as some of them are still standing).

In fact, I think the U.S. government should take a page from the terrorists' book, and start labeling all the soldiers killed in Iraq as "martyrs". That way, the constantly increasing death toll would be much more palatable. Maybe, even, something worth celebrating.

If I was the head of a country that lost a war, and I had to sign a peace treaty,
just as I was signing I'd glance over the treaty and then suddenly act surprised.
"Wait a minute! I thought WE won!"

posted by Mademoiselle on August 14, 2006 at 11:07 PM | link to this | reply