We've seen this before, will we still travel the same path?

[MadHound]

Once again we're seeing a country singled out, set apart. That country is Yemen.

The underwear bomber supposedly received training in Yemen. The Obama administration has launched air strikes into Yemen. Yesterday it comes out that we're going to start funding anti-terrorist forces in Yemen. Today, our embassy in Yemen is closing due to the rising terrorist threats.

This is a path we've trod before, and we know where it all lead, to the full out military invasion of Yemen. Is this what we want? Is this what is necessary?

Sorry, but like other military operations in this so called "war on terror" I can't support a military operation in Yemen. Again, the main thrust of this war is that it is a war of ideas, not one of bombs and bullets. Rather than bringing in the military, we need to bring in aid and help. Killing more and more people only plays into al Qaeda's hands, creating an increasing population of people who are pissed off at us to the point that they're willing to fight back. If we instead bring in aid, help, the best and most generous of what we have to offer, al Qaeda cannot get a hold on the hearts and minds of the people. I truly hope that this is the path the Obama administration will take. Sadly, I doubt that he will.

One more step along the path to eternal war. When are we going to wake up and realize that we're being played?

[lonestarnot]

1. Endless War, the new economy.

:(

[Don Caballero]

2. This is different than the Iraq debacle

The war in Iraq was based on out and out lies. We know that the underwear bomber trained in Yemen and was in contact with the Al Qaeda based in that country. We have very good intel about the situation in that country. Our President will take a measured response and not hastily invade and occupy that country. Diplomacy will be the first course of action. If that does not deter the Al Qaeda all options will be on the table in the future.

[StarfarerBill]

5. Diplomacy in the form of cruise missiles.

Pretty active gunboat diplomacy, methinks.

You're right, though: it won't be called an invasion and occupation; it'll be euphemized as an escalation of the War on Terror...

[Don Caballero]

6. Another difference is that the government of Yemen wants us to rid them of Al Qaeda

They are actively campaigning for us to help them out.

[StarfarerBill]

9. So we've become the mercenary muscle of foreign governments now?

Not a good position for the self-appointed leader of the free world to be in, wouldn't you say?

[MadHound]

8. Diplomacy is not on the table, we're already firing upon targets in Yemen

Or haven't you heard about the missile strikes we launched on the twenty first?

We're promising funding for "security" forces to battle al Qaeda in Yemen, a short step before we insert our own troops.

These are not measured responses, this is the ever familiar ramp up to an invasion. It might be a year or two, but our troops are going into Yemen at some point in the relatively near future.

[John Q. Citizen]

3. We are attempting to influence the civil war in Yemen. So we are branding one side as terrorists.

Shit, we dropped atomic bombs on two civilian populations.

We know a thing or two about terrorism.

[cali]

4. yeahl, this is depressingly familiar.

[shadowknows69]

7. We must always look for new places to bomb to keep ourselves "safe"

And Syria and Iran are just a little too big to chew right now. Pakistan is letting us bomb their tribal villages so we're good there. I don't know Yemen's terrain for shit, but it has to be better than Afghanistan's. We'd probably start something there on the delusional advice of some General who thinks if we start shit in another country the insurgency just packs up and follows us.

[izquierdista]

10. I would suggest conservative think tanks

Bomb them and defense contractors and air force bases. And maybe some health insurance corporate headquarters. If Lockheed Martin, the Heritage Foundation, General Dynamics, and Wellpoint were smoking ruins, I know I would feel a lot safer.

[shadowknows69]

11. After all civilians were evacuated of course Agent Mike.

CEOs can roast. Eat the rich.

[MadHound]

12. LOL! n/t

[bvar22]

13. I've seen this movie before.

It ends well for a handful of War Profiteers.
Not so good for everybody else.



Black is White.
War is Peace.
I did not campaign on a Public Option.