Terror, terror, terror..Should we approach the Al Qaeda offshoots differently

[Peacetrain]

One of the things the President said that got a few hackles up about last year, was equating the terrorists with criminals.

It was one of those 72 hour hand wringing angst things with the 3 AM calls yadda yadda yadda
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/06/17/1148672.aspx


Okay, I am not re fighting primaries, McCain, anything like that..

BUT

If we did start to address the terrorist offshoots that are now getting on planes, etc (this are Al Qaeda copy cats)..these small units. if we started going after these groups like the Mafia .. would that no be more effective in rooting them out.

I mean we still need the TSA etc.. but the headlines inspires even more copy cats.. I expect to see more and more attempts with all the juice the media will bring to this.

I am think Scotland Yard.. etc.. all the police working worldwide to get these guys.. seems to make sense to me.

This Al Qaeda copy cats are going world wide and it seems to me we need to be a whole lot more flexible than we are right now.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

1. depends who is banging the war drum?

it is common knowledge that Al Q is sparce in Afghanistan and is no worldwide organization. There are smallish groups who are jihadists everywhere. However there is someone who is pushing for the never ending war. I don't think it is Obama but it wouldn't surprise me if Cheney et al are behind this push and this latest setting fire to pants stunt was part of a theme.

[Clio the Leo]

2. I'm not sure they're off shoots and copy cats....

... are you talking about firecracker pants? ..... He was affiliated with al qaeda. Who are we talking about?

[Peacetrain]

3. I am talking about all the firecracker pants types out there..

Al Qaeda the organization.. in the Pakistan and Afghanistan.. is now off shooting all over the world..

The Al Qaeda sympathizers..

Outside of the leadership in Pakistan and regions.. It seems to me, after we get Bin Laden or find his bleached bones.. that we have to step sideways, and change this to be more flexible..because one or two sympathizers can play havoc..

[Peacetrain]

4. Clio maybe this explains better what I was trying to get at

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100109/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_al_qaida_terror_attacks
Attacks show al-Qaida-inspired groups target West

WASHINGTON – From Detroit to Afghanistan, scattered terrorists inspired and equipped by al-Qaida have attacked recently with surprising speed and worldwide reach, challenging the U.S. strategy of slowly and deliberately targeting the terror group's top leaders.

Counterterror officials and other experts say the botched Christmas Day airliner bombing and the Dec. 30 assault at a CIA base in Afghanistan demonstrate that al-Qaida and its supporters can react quickly when opportunities arise.

The new attacks, plotted by local militants as opposed to al-Qaida's core group, also warn of the possibility of new mini-fronts in the war on terrorism that could stretch American resources even more thinly across the globe. They come as U.S. forces are focusing on the Taliban in Afghanistan and al-Qaida in Pakistan.

[Clio the Leo]

5. Yeah ........ I'm knit picking, but I dont like their distinction.....

..... if you're being trained and sponsored by al qaeda, and al qaeda is claiming responsibility for what you do .... you're al qaeda.

But I'm distracting us from your larger piont ..... ignore me. :)

[Peacetrain]

6. No not at all... My larger point may be off the point.

:)

I am looking down the road 18 months.. and we are finished with the Afghan surge.. pulling out of Iraq..we are still going to be targeted by small groups who can make big weapons or use planes etc.. (the plane thing reminds me more and more of the hijacks of the 60's and 70's) that we will not be suddenly finished with these cells.


We can't keep going to war .. so at some point we all get on the same page and start dismantling these smaller groups before they can get their hands the next plane or train, or car.. whatever.

Some seem to want to think its all over.. and others seem to want an never ending war with a moving target.. and the truth is in the middle.

[backscatter712]

7. I'm all for demoting Al Qaeda's thugs to the status of criminal.

Calling them "terrorist" and hyping their activities only plays into their hands.