WHY WE REMEMBER, WHY WE FIGHT

As the sun sets on another September 11th, I'm sure most of us have taken at least a moment today to reflect back to that bright blue sunny morning six years ago that started so quiet and serene, yet ended with such devastating and disastrous consequences.

A day spent watching massive buildings fall to the ground with such ease, like children's plastic toy blocks piece by piece. Watching with both horror and fascination as people ran in fear and shock covered in dust and debris as far away as they could get.  Watching first responders from police, port authority, EMS and firefighters battle through fire, flames and toxic gases in an attempt to save just one more life be it in one of the fallen WTC towers or the side of the Pentagon. Those 40 in Shanksville faired no better on Flight 93 a short while later.  We all watched from afar as tears fell upon pictures of lost loved ones trying to be found by their families and friends.  We all tuned into the news reports hungry for information to help alleviate our fears. That information went on for minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and now years.  How on that late summer morning of September 11th, 2001 a nation of close to 300 million was shocked to its core that nearly 3,000 of our own citizens had been destroyed by a hate so strong it sought us out with mind numbing determination.  How we all stood in silent acknowledgement that such evil had arrived on our shores, unwanted and unwelcome, but here nonetheless.

I put our flag at half staff today as I left for work this morning in a sign of respect for those who lost their lives so many years ago.  I also offered a silent moment of prayer, comfort and peace for those who died during that first awful 24 hour period and those who have continued to loose their lives ever since that day.  But, even as the day ends and the flag is returned to its proper position, these people I will never meet linger in my thoughts. None of my hopes can return them to their loved ones. None of my wishes can erase the hate that brought about this awful day. The best I can request is that we all remember those who have gone before us.   That we remember to say a word of thanks for our continued safety, especially to our military men, women and their families who protect us from every corner of this nation and around the world day and night so that we may continue to have the best that this world has to offer.

My final prayer is that the Islamic jihadists find no one else to kill.  But, unfortunately I know that is not a prayer that will be fulfilled right now. There is much work still to do before peace can prosper again.

I hope each of us willing to acknowledge the reality of our situation will take some time today, tomorrow or the day after to understand further why such darkness enveloped our world that morning of September 11th. That same evil from 9-11 is out there recruiting and indoctrinating a new generation to mistrust and dislike non-Muslims and they continue to expand their networks of hate throughout America and the world. Although many groups have been weakened and somewhat reduced in recent years, they have not been eradicated completely.  Our service men and women have been admirable in trying to defeat this modern foe, but their job is far from done. Our nation and people must not stop and must not give up as the mission is barely half done.  We need to remain strong, decisive and committed to stopping this evil before it consumes us and the world landscape completely.

Those of us who have a passing knowledge of history know full well most of our deadliest foes throughout the centuries have said what they mean and mean what they say. When they talk about removing a race of people from the face of the earth, take them at their word as they typically followed through on their threats (think Khan, Hitler, Mussolini, Lenin, Stalin, Chairman Mao, Pol Pot, just to name a few).  In our lifetime, we now we have UBL, his related and non-related fringe groups and the current President of Iran - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. We deny history when we deny them and their powerful words about destroying us, our friends and our way of life.

When UBL invited Americans to come to Islam in his movie of the week broadcast a few days ago, he meant it. Convert now or expect another September morning in the near future. That's our option - Islam or death. He, his followers and those of his radical mindset (millions of them) mean it.   He made it clear to us, it is not about Iraq. It is not about capitalism. It is not about Middle Eastern oil. It is not about Democrats or Republicans.  It is not about being too American. It is not about the West. 

It 's about not being Muslim or Muslim enough. It's about Islam.

To understand more completely why September 11th happened and why there will be more days like this if we don't win this war against Islamic radicals, consider the following books:

Brigitte Gabriel - Because They Hate

Nonie Darwish - Now They Call Me Infidel

Mark Steyn - America Alone

Tony Blankley - The West's Last Chance

Robert Spencer - The Truth About Muhammad

Melanie Phillips - Londonistan

Steve Emerson - Jihad Incorporated

These books have all been reviewed here at L.A.W.   You are welcome to read my overview to see if these are books that will appeal to you.  Even if you choose to search elsewhere for information, at least look and learn.

I don't want bells of sadness being rung any longer for each life lost. I don't want days of remembrance when we have yet to destroy the ones who caused us grief to begin with.  I don't want more 9/11's if we can help it.  Until we understand, we cannot plan. Until we plan, we cannot win. Until we win, we live in fear or worse yet, we live in ignorance or denial altogether. Those are poor tributes to those who gave so much for all of us.

Remembrance and honor is important.  But, I want us to go much further than that.  We need to read, learn, understand, plan and eliminate the threat of Islamic ihadists once and for all.  Then, and only then, can the bells for complete victory ring out from sea to shining sea.

Regards,

Bridget Dupont-Tingley
Editor
The Local Area Watch

Comments

[Dutchman]

You said that we should take the words of these Islamic fascists seriously, but then you said that the reasons they attacked us 6 years ago was strictly for Islam. If we listen to what these people have said, they have told us exactly why they hijacked planes and flew them into towers.

Bin Laden said this: "But after the injustice was so much and we saw transgressions and the coalition between Americans and the Israelis against our people in Palestine and Lebanon, it occurred to my mind that we deal with the towers. And these special events that directly and personally affected me go back to 1982 and what happened when America gave permission for Israel to invade Lebanon. And assistance was given by the American sixth fleet.

During those crucial moments, my mind was thinking about many things that are hard to describe. But they produced a feeling to refuse and reject injustice, and I had determination to punish the transgressors.

And as I was looking at those towers that were destroyed in Lebanon, it occurred to me that we have to punish the transgressor with the same -- and that we had to destroy the towers in America so that they taste what we tasted, and they stop killing our women and children...Any nation that does not attack us will not be attacked."

It sounds like if we listen seriously to Bin Laden that 9/11 was a direct response to the United States continued support of Israel and their wars on their neighbors. Should we not take these words seriously?

[Bridget Dupont-Tingley, Editor @ L.A.W.]

Hello Dutchman,

You bring up important points that relate to the issue at hand as well.

UBL and related groups cite passages from the Qu'ran, events around the world and inspirational thoughts from their religious leaders on a regular basis. These reference sources help them explain and defend their world domination plan. As I noted in my earlier piece, we should listen to these dangerous men and their affiliated groups. They say what is politically timely based upon the message they want to get out. They are also smart enough to plant specific seeds and thoughts in those who choose to not think further themselves. For those of us who believe there is more than just the basics, we need to look further.

In the last thirty years, Americans and western thinkers have tried to understand the Middle East. They have tried to rationalize out the peace process. All the while, Islam has reinvigorated its export of fundamentalism. Our ignorance, our denials, our complacency has been their great gift. There is no doubt that since the Lebanonese barracks were bombed and Americans quickly left without proper retaliation, when America did not finish the job during the first Gulf War against a dangerous Iraq or when we did not properly address the issue from the first WTC bombing which happened in 1993, that Islamists have ratcheted up their words and their attacks in response to our lack of reaction. Problems such as these are specific for America and the West. It's an explanation though, not the full answer.

Like all people who shoulder a grudge Dutchman, there is always a trigger issue to get someone to mistrust, dislike and hate. A grudge produces a reaction. These men, these groups are motivated by much more than decisions and lifestyles they don't agree with. You only need to do homework and see the genocide, slavery and war that has happened in places such as the Sudan, Nigeria, Indonesia, areas of South Asia and others. The people of these countries are not being maimed and murdered by Islamic followers because of what we Americans do thousands of miles away, for living western ways or for Jewish statehood. These Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and others are not being killed because their troops are in someone else land. UBL, affiliates and other groups are driven by a single montra - go after those who are not Muslim or not Muslim enough. If you believe the Qu'ran is the word of Allah, if you are a devot follower of the faith, if you believe in the leadership provided by Muhammad, you know there is only one "final type solution" for those who are infidels.

The terrorists are brighter than most Americans and Western citizens give them credit. They watched how slow we are to react, they learned our weaknesses, they outsmarted our immigration system, they learned how to access our political, medical and educational systems and they set up shop in America. Often right next door to you and me - unseen at that. We often focus heavily on al Qaeda as the most threatening group. Sure, they are a diverse group of Muslims who are devoted to the faith and come from different countires and are deadly. But, the key is they and many others have a core belief based upon a shared ideology and abiding hatred for the West. That hatred does not end at the borders of America either. Don't forget al Qaeda is not the lone assassin on the grassy knoll, we also have to deal with Hamas, Hezbollah, The Muslim Brotherhood, the PLO, Islamic Jihad and dozens of others too. I like to include CAIR as their board members often come from these groups as well. CAIR is what I like to call the politically acceptable face of a deadly enemy.

Author Brigitte Gabriel says it best since she lived through Middle Eastern devastation. She notes they do what they do because they hate. They hate our freedom. They hate our democratic way of life. They hate our culture. They hate our choice to worship as we choose. They don't just disagree. They don't just dislike. They HATE and that hate is a very powerful thing. They hate that we are not listening to Allah and following the rule of Islam and sharia law. Remember, they don't just hate Jews and Christians, although we get the worst of it as Muhammad advised his followers that the people of the books heard Allahs words, but did not act upon them properly. Thus, we are infidels. They hate Hindus, Buddhists and all other infidels, agnostics and atheists included.

So, don't expect this mission of Islamic mercy to end just because we stop being capitalistic. Don't expect this mission to end if we leave all foreign lands. Don't expect this mission to stop once we loose our sinful ways and culture. Don't expect this mission to end when we find an alternative source other than Middle Eastern oil. Don't expect this mission to end if our troops return home for good. The mission ends only when they say it will end. It ends when the world comes to Islam.

The imposition of Islam upon the entire world is not their hope. It is their religious duty to Muhammad and Allah.

So, next time UBL and others state their intentions, remember what I have shared here in this note and in my many book reviews. And frankly, the authors of these books I have shared explain it so much better than I do and that's why I reference them so often. I am not a writer by trade, but I don't let that stop me from learning and sharing what I have found out. The message that radical jihadists share with us deserves to be taken very seriously. They flew the planes into our economic and political buildings to kill thousands because they hate us. That is clear as day. They continue that mission of killing because they hate that we are not Muslim and followers of the Islamic faith. It is below the surface that we must look to fight the real battle at hand.

Thanks for your input.

Regards,

[Bridget Dupont-Tingley, Editor @ L.A.W.]

Dear Dutchman,

One other thing.

Based upon the questions that swirled in your mind on 9-11 and since, you might want to pick up the book by Melanie Phillips called Londonistan. I reviewed the book at L.A.W. and it would be a good one for you. Many of the questions that seem to tantalize your brain are those that the British public and politicians refused to explore for years. Once they did address the question, they quickly decided the answer for UBL, al Qaeda and others was simply the Jewish problem, the American occupation problem, the capitalistic problem, the cultural problem and so forth. It was always the UK's fault, America's fault, Israel's fault. They learned much too late that none of these things were the "real problem". The fault was altogether different if they had made an effort to look deeper.

I hope you will pick up this book and read it. I would be surprised if you don't see snippets of yourself in the British.

I think you will take much from it if you are open minded. If you do read it, I would enjoy your feedback.

Regards,

[The Executive Director]

Hi, Dutchman.

You ask our Editor: "It sounds like if we listen seriously to Bin Laden that 9/11 was a direct response to the United States continued support of Israel and their wars on their neighbors. Should we not take these words seriously?"

"Seriously" in what sense? That bin Laden means it when he says his excuse for his jihad is U.S. support of Israel? I see no reason to doubt that does mean it. I also see that however much he means it, our alliance with the only democratic country in the Mideast is not a just cause for slaughtering 3,000 innocent people in NYC, DC, and Pennsylvania. Indeed, there is NO just cause for that mass murder.

Regards,
Bill Tingley
Executive Director, L.A.W.

[Rollnggrnade]

Good post Dutchman. I was going to echo that sentiment; people like Bin Laden have told us clearly why we were attacked and it has little to do with our lifestyle or ideals here in the US and everything to do with imperialist US policy.

While Bin Laden does state explicitly what he means, some of what he says is political posturing - so it's necessary to separate the wheat from the chaff so to speak. Talking about "Israel" and "Infidels" is merely the patois he must use to sell his war to sympathetic ears in the mideast. Both he, GW Bush and Hitler knew/know how effective religion is at rallying unquestioning support around a particular flag.

For the "terrorists" Islam is a means to an end; a way to drive up recruitment in the war to expel the western world from the mideast.

For the US, "democracy" is a means to an end; a way to keep popular support for the economically-based reasons we continue to try to strategically control the mideast.

Bill: Israel is only 'democratic' if defined by the absurdly low bar set by the US. There is nothing democratic about the Apartheid system Israel currently imposes on the Palestinian people. Not only that, but if the US actually cared about nurturing democracy in the mideast, we wouldn't be supporting Saudi Arabia (a brutal, oppressive monarchy) in the same way we support Israel.

[Bridget Dupont-Tingley, Editor @ L.A.W.]

Hello Rollnggrnade,

You also need to read Londonistan, Because They Hate and Now They Call Me Infidel to get beyond the basic arguments on this issue.

It's hard to solve world problems like radical Islam when people choose to be oblivious to the root of the problem. It is not about imperialism. It is not about supposed apartheid noted by pro-Palestinian groups. It's not about oil. It's not about democracy. It's not about you got more land than me. It's not about you got more money than me. It is not about us. These are all excuses NOT the reason for their hateful actions.

You may or may not come around beyond the empty propoganda generated in the main stream media, it is up to you. The Brits understood their mistake eventually and are working to correct it now. They are paying serious penalties for turning away from reality too long. They were close to complete capitulation, but self corrected at the last minute. We are on the border ourselves these days.

You need to spend some time reading, researching and studying this issue in-depth, especially using as a resource authors and people who have studied the problem, analyzed the issues in-depth and lived the lifestyle for decades. Your arguments are weak, empty and propped up by the main stream media who also refuse to see the problem at hand.

Look further if you wish to see what is really happening.

Regards,

[Brandon]

I fail to see why this issue has to consist of such a stark, either/or dichotomy. Yes, of course radical Islam is a force unto itself that needs to be reckoned with, but it’s also willfully ignorant to dismiss the fact that to varying degrees, it *is* about land/oil/money/imperialism.

Whether you choose as your starting point the post-WWI partitioning of Iraq in the ‘20s by the British, or the CIA-devised installation of the Shah in Iran in 1953, there is a long-established pattern of the West’s meddling in Middle Eastern affairs, almost always on the side of anyone – the Shah, Saddam Hussein, the Saudi Royal family – who would protect our oil interests, regardless of how they abused or oppressed their own people.

To the extent that Islam itself is the problem, it ought to be dealt with accordingly, but it’s also true that radical Islam is an accelerant through which the flames of [historically legitimate] anti-Western sentiment are fanned. This in no way justifies terrorism, but we’re not talking about justification, we’re talking about understanding the motivations of our enemies in order to defeat them.

The average jihadist foot soldier may indeed be motivated by a perverse acceptance of radical Islam, but if you travel up higher and higher on the proverbial pecking order, you tend to see a more Realpolitik-centered motivation on the part of those who pull the strings.

[Bridget Dupont-Tingley, Editor @ L.A.W.]

Hello Brandon,

Your points as always are interesting and well taken.

Although many of your references to the West being involved in Middle Eastern affairs is correct, I continue to insist based upon the enormous amount of research I have done in the past few years, that these issues are the publicly and politically acceptable excuses for the Islamic jihadists to wage war again us, the West and non-Muslim peoples.

Previous generations of Islamic people were fairly active, but not impassioned by their religion. The core reason millions of current Mulsims have become hot for jihad is that a new generation of Islamic zealots took hold of many Middle Eastern countries beginning in the mid to late 70's and began an indoctrination period for the citizens. That indoctrination included twisting historical facts, removing knowledge and complete education from the citizens, renewing laws set down by Muhammad via Allah and in a way, brainwashing those willing to listen that Islam is the only faith and everyone who doesn't prescribe to it must be dealt with very serverly. They then began exporting quite successfully this fresh and deadly ideology of radical Islam to every continent and nearly every country in the world. We let them do this because we can't see the forest for the trees (and because we are too bloody PC as well). Along the way, the jihadists used involvement of the West in the Middle East as their constant rallying cry as to why we are the Great Satan, we are deserving of their hated and that Israel must be wiped off the face of the earth.

But, simmering below the surface was the real catalyst to their hatred, they want Islam to rule the world, sharia law to be the only law of the land and that followers must submit, convert or pay the ultimate penalty - infidels must die.

You are dealing with a group of people who will use any excuse to create the world in which they want us and them to live. They make nearly everything a major crisis. Their idea of being rational, honest and fair is vastly different than ours. In their world, women who expose their hair and faces publicly could suffer beatings and stoning for being sinful women. Women who accidentally look at men or talk to men in public without male approval can be accused and convicted of infidelity unless four men attest to that womans innocence. Women's opinion on this don't count as they are deemed only 1/2 the worth of a man. They allow men multiple wives and allow families to break up as it's Islamic thing to do. With these things in mind, it doesn't take much of a stretch to imagine that nearly any excuse is deemed a good one for them to shout Allah Akbar and hit the streets with sword, IED and gun in hand. Once again, convert or else.

Again, please read the books I recommended for a fresh perspective and keep researching this topic. Too many think we pull back and keep to ourselves that this conflict will end. That they will mellow out and say, let's shake hands and now be friends because you have done we want. The Qu'ran itself gives approval to faithful Muslims to stretch the truth, lie and befriend an enemy as long as it ends up being for the good of Islam. They can fight during holy periods as long as it's good for Islam. There is much they can say, act and do for the good of this religion that is beyond an Americans imagination. An objective study of this faith is important as it reveals to the West a foreign mindset of those who are devoted and passionate followers. For sure, we give an inch, they'll take a mile and our country to boot. They hate our way of life, they hate we are not Muslim and they don't respect life. They honor death in a way we will never comprehend. These things are a volatile mixture that is far more deadly than most understand.

Appreciate your input and thoughts on this issue as it definately keeps the line of thinking ever evolving.

Regards,

[Give Me A Break!]

Jimmy Carter, I mean Dutchman, is that you? Based upon your feedback to Bridgit, I would think you are quoting from good ole' Jimbos recent book about how he feels Israel is why the world is at war and the Middle East is the quintessential place of goodness and peace. Sounds like you need to do a bit more homework beyond traditional I hate America talking points.

I thought this piece at LAW was a solid one. The meaning was well taken. I like this site. Keep it up guys, you are good for Grand Rapids.

GMAB

[Bridget Dupont-Tingley, Editor @ L.A.W.]

Hello GMAB,

I had to chuckle at your reply to our reader Dutchman. Since I know what was in the books you were referring to, I got an extra kick out of your political jab.

I have read Mr. Carter's book "Our Endangered Values" in full. The beginning of the book gave me hope. The middle gave me a headache due to all my eye rolling and exasperated sighs at the ever evolving lack of reality with this man. The ending, well the ending simply couldn't come soon enough. I read some snippets of "Palestine, Peace Not Apartheid" too at Barnes & Noble and Amazon websites and couldn't find a big enough wheel barrow to carry the load being fed to the readers on that one. Needless to say, I never ended up buying the book.

I imagine there are plenty of people who love how he writes, supports what he believes and gives him props for his time as President. I count myself out on that one, not a fan. I did try to give him a chance, valiantly I might add. I took the leap and bought one book, read it and tried to absorb what he had to say. I gave it my best shot. It didn't pan out. I couldn't even get part of the way through the second book, it was frightening what he was trying to convey. I think I am supported in my disgust at book two as many of his staff members left The Carter Center over what he had to say about the Middle East. They said it best when they left, "Mr. President, will all due respect, you can't re-write Middle Eastern history to your own liking, you realy need to stick to the facts." Bravo brave employees at The Carter Center and old Carter friends for speaking up and leaving on principal. Bravo.

Bill and I are pleased that you like our web site and the articles we write. Feel free to shoot us ideas and suggestions if there is anything you think we should cover, but perhaps have not yet. We may lean conservative in some of our view points, but we are not against calling out all parties and all peoples when something is off, wrong or just plain bad. Same with giving praise when it is due.

I especially like that you got the tone of my piece and what I was trying to convey on the 6th anniversary of radical Islam coming to America - land of the free, home of the brave and half a nation in serious denial over this issue. Thanks a bunch.

Regards,

[Dutchman]

Thanks for the replies. I do need to do a bit more homework.

Bridget,
I'm going to start now by asking you a couple of questions since you've done much more research into this than I have. If Islamic zealots are fanatical about removing all things not Muslim from the world, why is just the West targeted? Why are no radical Muslims attacking anyone in the East?

GMAB,
I'm confused about the traditional I hate America talking points you are referring to. Could you explain more about what you meant by that?

[The Executive Director]

Dutchman,

I'll answer for Bridget. Jihadist violence is in fact more common in the East than the West. Indeed, their most frequent targets are in Muslim countries. They also terrorize Russia and India. They effectively occupy portions of the Phillipines and Indonesia. Meanwhile, Muslims (not necessarily jihadists) are also proselytizing is some very unexpected places like southern Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.

If the jihadists haven't effectively campaigned in Far Eastern countries so far, that's because places like China and Vietnam are communist dictatorships and free countries like Japan and Korea are ethnically closed society, all which makes these countries difficult for jihadists to penetrate.

Regards,
Bill Tingley
Executive Director, L.A.W.

[The Executive Director]

Hi, Brandon.

U.S. policy for the Mideast has been driven by three important factors over the decades: [1] Defense of Israel, [2] the market's access to the region's oil reserves, and [3] containment of strategic threats to the U.S. (first from Soviets and now rogue nuclear states). All of these are valid concerns of our country, although we can agree that specific policies addressing these concerns have been misbegotten.

The worst policy was the State Department's mania for "stability", which resulted in supporting repulsive regimes like the Saudi monarchy, for example. The pursuit of stability has had the perverse consequence of abetting the Islamic jihadist threat we now face. Bush was correct to junk that part our U.S. doctrine by toppling the Baathist dictatorship in Iraq (although I question his continued commitment in that direction).

However, the fact that the U.S. didn't overthrow Mideastern dictatorships before the Iraq War does not make us culpable for them. The jihadists have no legitimate complaint against the U.S. They certainly, as you acknowledged, had no justification for slaughtering 3,000 people on American soil on 9/11.

So, yes, there is an important and detailed history of American involvement with the Mideast that is helpful to understand how we got to the point we are at. But the fact that we haven't been always been idealists in protecting Israel, our security, and the market's access to oil does not deny us the moral high ground to destroy an enemy that has no compunction against mass-murder of Americans. We have no obligation to wait until the jihadists have the means to commit that crime (say, with an atomic bomb) before we act.

Regards, Bill

[The Executive Director]

Rolling Grenade,

You wrote: >>Bill: Israel is only 'democratic' if defined by the absurdly low bar set by the US. There is nothing democratic about the Apartheid system Israel currently imposes on the Palestinian people.<<

I simply do not know how to address this level of cluelessness (or worse, mendacity) about Israel.

Regards,
Bill Tingley
Executive Director, L.A.W.

[Bridget Dupont-Tingley, Editor @ L.A.W.]

Hello Dutchman,

Thanks to Bill for giving Dutchman additional feedback. My earlier comment also discussed how often the jihadists and radical Muslims are entering eastern countries and the devestating impact they are having there as well (re-read above to see what I said earlier on this).

It's a must that all Americans and those in the East and West spend time learning further about this problem. We have heard too often the answers the apologists have given us. Now, it's time to see the other side. You can do this through authors like Mark Steyn, Tony Blankley, Brigitte Gabriel, Robert Spencer, Noni Darwish, Steve Emerson and many, many others.

This will be the defining struggle of our generation. Let's see what we do in the face of ultimate evil. Have them over to dinner or end the conflict once and for all?

Time will tell.

Thanks all!

Regards,