How the terrorists won

[demzilla]

Prior to September 11, 2001, George W. Bush was an aimless place-holder in history, the Gerald Ford of the 21st century, an accidental president almost assuredly destined to serve one term.

Then 9-11 happened, and the country’s natural inclination to rally around its leaders in times of crisis resulted. It didn’t matter who was in the White House – Bush, Gore, Grandpa Simpson – any president would have benefitted from the public’s anger and desire to come together.

The USA also received the world’s outpouring of sympathy and support. Indeed, it was a time when a capable leader could have built an international framework for fighting terrorism (and could have asked the American people to sacrifice so that we would lessen our dependence on foreign oil). Instead, Bush followed his simplistic pre-9/11 desire to get back at Iraq, and perhaps to outdo his father.

So, capitalizing on the public’s desire for strong action and security, and with a media and a Democratic Party cowed by “patriotic” ardor, the US set about making excuses to invade Iraq. When the 2004 election rolled around, security remained a major factor in the minds of the public, who, despite growing doubts, sided by the narrowest of margins with the “hero” of 9-11.

Now, we are stuck with four more years of Bush, whose foreign policies have left us virtually friendless and at a huge price in money and blood no more safe -- whose environmental policies ignore the clear warnings provided by science -- and whose deficits and other domestic policies, not to mention appointments, will do severe damage for decades.

And that is how the terrorists won (so far) – by insuring that the US is run by an incapable leader, surrounded by fools and neocons who will only worsen the US image abroad, leading more and more young Arabs and even others to see the US as the enemy, creating a situation in Iraq that will be a drain on US material and human resources for years and years to come. And by insuring that the US weakens itself at home, gives up fundamental freedoms via the Patriot Act, and pursues policies that form stepping stones on the road to national ruin.

Not that bin Laden and his ilk planned this – I am reminded of how, on tape, they discussed how surprised they were that the Twin Towers actually collapsed after they were struck by planes. No, our national situation today is the unintended result of their actions, but they no doubt could not be more pleased. And ultimately, we -- the American people, the American media, the leadership of both parties in Congress, and the confederacy of dunces that passes for the Bush Administration – have only ourselves to blame.

[liberal N proud]

1. They won because the incompetence of the bu$h regime an entire city

was rendered inoperable.
Yes it was a natural disaster that took NOLA, but the bu$h regime is responsible and the terrorist have won.
This regime was so preoccupied with instilling fear in the American people that it destroyed the critical agencies required to react to disasters.
The fact that it was a natural disaster that brought this nation to it's knees is irrelevant.

[orpupilofnature57]

2. That says it, It was in their interest to have Shrub at the steering wheel

And because the ? % that helped Diebold and Poppy get ** elected, are easily terrorized, contrary to all that National Pride shit.

[5X]

3. osama knew we would attack Iraq,

he might have been paying more attention than some of us
and knew about the neocon agenda. It is what he counted
on to give him his war between westerners and Islam.
So yes, they did win, but it isn't over yet, they may have
more payoffs to come if we don't change our own regime.

[jim3775]

4. Handing them a new Islamic republic

is another victory for them.