The most obvious questions for the “shoulda gone after al Qaeda” crowd
We are waiting for certain politicians to lament that the London attack was the bitter fruit of having gone to Iraq instead of going after al Qaeda. The comments are already on the internet. From a commenter on Kos:
The natural reaction of people like us who opposed the Iraq war is to repeat our calls for withdrawal from that country and concentrate on finding Al Qaeda.
What, precisely, would be permissible to these folks in dealing with al Qaeda? Detaining them indefinitely when criminal prosecution is not possible or advisable? Preventive detention? Sweating them for information about their cells and plans? Trying to trick them into revealing information? Making them uncomfortable to turn up the pressure?
Oh, wait, we already have that. It’s called Club Gitmo, and here’s the caterwauling that took place in the UK over previous terrorist detainees, via the BBC:
– The Times headline is “Taleban Tourists on their way home”. It describes the relief and celebrations for the families of the men, after weeks of speculation that a deal had been done. But the paper says while their return will ease immediate pressure on the government, it will raise questions over why they were imprisoned for almost two years.
– The Mirror writes of the sadness of the families of the four British men in Guantanamo Bay who are not being freed. It quotes the father of Moazzam Begg who is disappointed his son is not coming home, but is vowing to fight for this release.
– The Independent says the continuing detention of hundreds of people shames the world’s most powerful nation, that claims to fight terrorism in the name of democracy, justice and human rights.
The truth is that many of the al Qaeda YES! / Iraq NO! really don’t want to fight at all, as the silly complaints about Gitmo show. Yeah, sure, go after al Qaeda, just don’t be nasty, and remember to mirandize them, and get them a lawyer, and there darned well not be long-term detentions without trials. Some of the Kos Kidz are more direct, and perhaps, honest, in what they really mean, than, we suspect, some of our own politicians:
I was no “Afghan”, when last week american terrorists killed 17 civilians in Chechal. I have not seen US-blogs commenting thousands of condolences and information about the work of the “own people”.
“American terrorists?” Perhaps in the mode of Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot. Where have we heard that before?
July 7th, 2005 at 9:36 pm
Maybe we can kill Mr. Islam first? That way he and his brothers will get to find their reward in heaven quickly. Think of how despondent they would be if everyone else got to take off and they were left behind.