We have to put an end to this: "You're just encouraging the terrorists

[Maraya1969]

by protesting the war" bullshit. Or by saying that we are showing we are week and thus giving them power. Can we come up with some snappy easy to remember answers instead of trying to explain why our pull back from Iraq will not cause more terrorism? Using Spain as an example could be one way but I doubt these people remember or even knew that Spain withdrew troops after they were attacked.

I like to remind people that 19 terrorists brought us to our knees with box cutters and they were all living right herein the US of A when they did it and to point out that not all the terrorists are in Iraq. AND to point out that it is impossible to kill each and every terrorist in the world.

We need a good bumper sticker saying that gets the point across. Something like: "If we kill all the terrorists in Iraq - then what?"

[Carolab]

1. I agree. Did you see that Bushie on Gwen Ifil's show tonight?

She kept looking "suspiciously" at the woman who was protesting the war and saying the actions of protestors were "encouraging the enemy".

This is a really crazy meme that must be stopped.

The answer is: "Condemning a citizen's right to protest weakens the Constitution and our democracy. Is this the example we want to set for other countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan? What if they become subjects of a theocracy that seeks to undermine Christianity worldwide? Would you prefer that they not be able to protest this? Isn't that exactly what Saddam Hussein did? Suppress dissent? How about the Ayatollah Khomeini? Or do you want the U.S. to become a theocracy, too?"

Perhaps they need a little history lesson:

http://www.rotten.com/library/bio/religion/ayatollah-khomeni/

[AX10]

7. what was Ifill's reaction and demenor during all of this?

[Carolab]

8. Blank stare. No response at all.

But she did let that woman rattle on and on about it, which was disturbing.

[Robeson]

2. Ask them to clarify their position....

Ask them, "Do you mean the old terrorists, or the new ones Bush is creating by our continued occupation of Iraq?"

[Fire Walk With Me]

3. So terrorists only act if people protest? Neato. I'm sure that we can stop

them cold that way ;-)

[sinkingfeeling]

4. I say something like, "Really, I don't think we could possibly encourage

them any more than Bush's giving into bin Laden's demands and granting him his greatest wish. Bin Laden demanded we withdraw troops from Saudi Arabia, wanted Saddam out of power so that Islamic theocracy could take over, and to promote an everlasting 'war' between the West and Muslims. Add to that with every Iraqi killed, bin Laden gets 20 new recruits and I believe Bush's Folly has encouraged the terrorists to the nth. degree."

[renie408]

5. Save your breath

Anybody stupid enough to believe that has already drunk the kool aid and you aren't getting them back. They are too far gone.

[sendero]

6. When folks run out of logical, factual, truthful arguments...

... and they have no integrity, they resort to emotional, specious, unfounded ones.

[Blue Belle]

9. This is an argument that I can never get behind...

Yes, I can see where the growing lack of support for this war could fuel hope for the insurgents... but really, is that the best argument that Freepers can put forth?? Do these people really believe that the insurgents sit around their TV's tracking all the Gallup and CNN polls and trying to figure out the best time to strike?? These people say WE don't have any grasp of how the "enemy" thinks, but I bet you dollars to donuts that if the United States were occupied by a foreign army, they (the NRA lovin', Conservative only with their compassion, Pro-Bush crowd) would be right there with US fighting until the last occupier left our soil. The dropping polls and public dissent aren't fueling the insurgency, our presence on Iraqi soil is... and to preach the mantra of blindly following our leader no matter what... that's not being a good American - it's being a good Nazi. :eyes:


Note: I posted this answer on a previous thread too - Dupe Alert!

[OnionPatch]

10. Did it ever occur to them

that maybe our protesting is giving hope to those in Iraq who really want democracy? If they can look at our country and see how free people in a democracy are, free even to protest the military action of their president, surely this must give them hope.

In a democracy, the people have the power and the right to have their say-so and voice their opinions on government policy. To say you're fighting for democracy in Iraq, but be against protest is just contradictory.

[OneTwentyoNine]

11. By not joining the Military they encourage's terrorists...

Tell em to get their ass down and sign up for a few Iraq tours. Wussing out and not joining--or sending their kids only gives aid and comfort to terrorist.

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

12. Ask: Freedom of speech?

Try it, you might like it.


This is an old ploy, but one they never get tired of.

If you have someone who can and will think, ask if there is any circumstance in which they believe that protesting a war would be a patriotic thing to do?

Or there is the quotation something like "My country right or wrong," and that is all they usually quote. They leave out the rest, something like... if right to stand by her, if wrong to set things right.

[JaneQPublic]

13. Nothing could encourage terrorists more than Abu Graib

It's much more likely the terrorists would be "encouraged" by those photos or even the front-page photos of Saddam in his underwear than by pictures of Cindy Sheehan sitting on a Texas roadside.