Author Topic: As Our Support Crumbles... (Read 317 times)

Eagler · « **on:** November 08, 2001, 07:32:00 AM »

You knew it was a just matter of time:

Pakistan's Musharraf Says Bombing Must Stop
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20011108/ts/attack_musharraf_france_dc_2.html

"He said he would ask President Bush to suspend the bombing during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which starts in mid-November.

Continuing the campaign during Ramadan would cause trouble throughout the Muslim world, he said."

Why?
Someone pls explain to me why we'd even consider stopping the WAR for a month while the "Muslim world" sits around and listens to their stomach grumble dawn to dusk ...
What does one have to do with the other??
Sounds like more one sided PC BS. All Pakistan's president is trying to do is save his own neck.

batdog · « **Reply #1 on:** November 08, 2001, 07:40:00 AM »

It wont.

xBAT

Dead Man Flying · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2001, 07:45:00 AM »

The focus on cessation of bombing during Ramadan bugs me because it smacks of a double standard. Iran and Iraq, two ostensibly Muslim nations, spent years beating the hell out of one another during Ramadan. Other Middle Eastern conflicts were initiated on purpose during the holiest Jewish day (Yom Kippur War anyone?).

OTOH, I understand that Musharraf is in a sticky situation. He's likely paying lip service to the moderate and radical factions in Pakistan with this diplomatic push, an effort that stands nearly no chance of facilitating a cessation of bombing. If worse comes to worse, he can use it to justify kicking us out under the pretense of insensitivy to Islam.

-- Todd/Leviathn

straffo · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2001, 08:13:00 AM »

He is only trying to save his a** ...

Jochen · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2001, 09:00:00 AM »

Quote

Sounds like more one sided PC BS. All Pakistan's president is trying to do is save his own neck.

What is wrong with that? If he cannot save his arse, Pakistan and it's nuclear stockpile could be under Taleban (or other extremist) rule in few months. Is that what you really want?

Tumor · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2001, 09:06:00 AM »

...I think I posted this before, but I'll do it again anyway.

PAKISTAN will stab the U.S. in the back at the first opportunity, probably doing it now.

Tumor

Gunthr · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2001, 09:24:00 AM »

Jochen, we're gonna get bogged down here if we don't kick some ass. We should be willing to act unilaterally no matter who is in or out of the coalition.

miko2d · « **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2001, 10:03:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Eagler:
Someone pls explain to me why we'd even consider stopping the WAR for a month while the "Muslim world" sits around and listens to their stomach grumble dawn to dusk ...
What does one have to do with the other??
Sounds like more one sided PC BS.
=============================================
All Pakistan's president is trying to do is save his own neck.

It seems you have answered your own question.
Undoubtably replacement of our friend Musharaff in Pakistan with fundamental muslim regime is high on the list of OBL's priorities. Even if Pakistan did not own all those nukes it would have been a valuable acqisition.
If we throw Musharaff to the wolfs just to get an extra month of mostly fruitless bombing, not only do we risk losing a valuable strategic partner, but other muslim leaders will be afraid to deal with us - more then they are now.

Musharaff is not the one having problems with terrorists. He was on our toejam list for the last 6(?) years and now he is doing us a great favor risking his country's stability and his personal safety by supporting our war.
That he asks us of something is reason enough to consider it seriously.

miko

miko2d · « **Reply #8 on:** November 08, 2001, 10:07:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Gunthr:
Jochen, we're gonna get bogged down here if we don't kick some ass. We should be willing to act unilaterally no matter who is in or out of the coalition.

Unfortunately without ground bases in the area it would be tough to fight in Afghanistan. You cannot support ground war from a fleet on the other side of the globe. Also, the fleet is well within the range of those pakistani nukes.

miko

Gunthr · « **Reply #9 on:** November 08, 2001, 03:27:00 PM »

Still... over 5,000 innocent Americans were killed by terrorists harbored by the Taliban. Our duty is clear. We can't fold up like a cheap beach chair if Pakistan withdraws from the coalition.

We should try to help the Paki president walk his tight rope. But my own opinion is, we shouldn't stop for Ramadan or anything else until the job is done. We can do it.

Incidently, I don't think world support for the USA in this war is crumbling. Recently the leader of a huge Muslim organization denounced bin Laden and his actions, and denied that bin Laden speaks for Muslims in his rantings. If I can locate that report, I'll update....

[ 11-08-2001: Message edited by: Gunthr ]