How does critiquing the President's war embolden terrorists?

Question

Does Bin Laden stop and think "Should I Attack America? Nah, I'll just give up my Jihad. Wait, a commentator in Boise just said the war is not going well, I must continue my fight to the defeat the infidel.".
This is what many "conservative" talk show hosts suggest. Do they think they are talking to children with no developed sense of logic?
Let's remember who many of these hosts are. They are former radio djs, tabloid reporters and the like. If they didn't get the job they have, they would be spinning country and western or top 40 discs in Amaraillo. Why do people take what they say seriously?
If you choose to answer, don't call me names, and check your work. Let's have a civil dialog.

Thanks
And God bless America and the rest of the world as well.

Yes, I have protested with my wife and children. I have also written letters to the editor and to my elected representatives. But, I agree, most Americans do not need to make any sacrifice for this war, so they just let it go on and on. And the media does not cover the daily protests that go on around our country.

But hey, we know what's going on with Natalie Holloway and Lidsey Lohan. And that's what really matters anyway.

I also challenge you to answer without using a cliche or some other slogan.

Many of you make valid points, if we were fighting a war against a nation-state. But we are fighting a war against a philosophy-religion. The enemy will fight to the death, whether we resist or not. They have their religious beliefs and will stop at nothing to win. Unless we are willing to kill in a wholesale way, there is no way to stop them. It is like fighting roaches. You may kill a dozen, but there are thousand more to replace them.

Answer 1

your right....when you ask a tough question they don't want to answer they call you unpatriotic

Answer 2

(I just revised this a little. AGAIN!)

It depends on one's objective. Will it "stop the war" or "lose the war"?

Think about how you would go about defeating a much more powerful enemy. All you could hope for is that they would lose the will to fight, to give up.

Of course "psy ops" - trying to affect enemy morale - is always part of war. That's why Tokyo Rose broadcasted to American soldiers in WWII that FDR was lying to them, that the war was impossible to win, and that they were only fighting to enrich greedy people back home.

Also, read up on General Giap and Viet Nam. Many have said that the 1968 Tet offensive was a huge defeat for the Viet Cong. They lost the battle. But the fact that there was a battle at all, and the deep incursions made by the Viet Cong, turned America against the war. Do you think the Viet Cong were pleased with the American war protests, or not?

One could also ask US military troops how they feel about the protests - does it make their job easier or harder?

They say it is the ability to withstand casualties, not the ability to inflict them, which determines the winner in war. It's a grisly "auction" - to determine which side is willing to accept the cost to them of victory.

In a free country like ours, dissent is protected and even valued. People have a right and a duty to speak out.

But it can, and has, given our enemies a signal that whatever is happening to cause the dissent is "working," and encourages them to keep doing it.

None of that answers the question whether the war is "just" or not in an abstract sense. War opponents would say that ending the war would be the best alternative at all.

But yes, it definitely is a factor.

So people on all sides need to be aware of the consequences of their words as well as their actions. It's a balance to be struck in a free society - not whether one is allowed to speak, but whether it is prudent to do so.

Thanks for a civil question. I have tried to present the "other side" without editorializing, being rude or engaging in personal attacks. I wish you had left out the personal attacks on radio hosts - it doesn't matter how smart they are, just whether their points are valid or not. But at least a dialog was opened.

God bless.

PS Your point about "fighting to the death" is indeed a concern. One could say the Japanese were prepared to do that too, yet they were defeated. At a terrible cost, but defeated. And all groups need state sponsors to aid them and give tlhem resources.

I looked up some other questions of yours - I like your style. Intelligent debate, agree or disagree.

I think a lot of your questions have to do with the tactics of war (setting a date, etc.) and not the justification of the war itself. it all comes down to the rightness or wrongness of the war I guess. What is the threat, what are the consequences of keeping up the fight or of stopping it.

Some would say that if it's worth fighting, it's worth fighting "all the way." And if it's not worth the casualties and consequences, it should not be fought at all.

I'm not sure there is anything such as a "clean" war.

Answer 3

If my memory serves me correctly, the arabic media used the same rationale as has been fausted on the american public by many of the more left leaning democrats..almost word for word.. directing their listeners to become emboldened and go and fight the infidel in Iraq.. Duriing the second ww, such talk would have had the FBI at your door withn 24 hours of making the statement. Was called aiding and abetting the enemy. Near treason in wartime..It does have serious consequences. Regardless of how harmless it may appear to the person making the statement. Look what it did during the Viet Nam conflict..

Too many people remain unaware of the things coming out of their mouth, which in turn gives an embolding effect, to the ones who would kill you in a moment, if given the chance. That is exactly their intent, if you don't convert to Islam. Being non christion will not make any difference to them.

Lastly, what makes you as much of an authority, any more than those you condemn as being unqualified as DJ's?

Answer 4

It isn't critiquing the war that emboldens the terrorists, it is the manner in which that critique is presented. Nobody has a problem with a civilized debate where each side presents educated and intelligent arguments.

Where people have problems is when "critics" start saying crap like "Bush lied about WMD", "Bush is Hitler", "Bush want's to kill all Arabs / Muslims". This garbage has no point other than to incite hatred and set us against each other.

The terrorists know there is no way they can defeat us. The only way we can be defeated, is if we beat ourselves. The hate mongers play right into their hands with their devisive drivel. They are accomplishing the terrorists' goals, of course that will embolden terrorists.

Honest, civil debate while presenting a united front to the terrorists will lead to victory. Devisive, hate-mongering will encourage the terrorists and may allow them to win. United we stand, divided we fall.

Answer 5

It doesn't obviously but.. they have the spin on their side ..A most civil question.. I think they do believe we are children, but that's because we act like children. The reality is that down in Mexico the people came out and got results .. our elections are dubious at best but where were the crowds ? the war stumbles on where is the crowd..? I know there have been mass protests but if it were at critical mass we would have results. I can tell by your language that you are a considerate man ... have you protested ? Me neither .. why ? Until we really get out there and get heard we will be treated like the obedient children we are...
In my humble opinion ... of course :)

Answer 6

Is everyone asleep? I keep asking that question. Remember who these people are and who owns their stations? The guy with the most stations has the control and can report what they want. Thank God for NPR and free speech radio and CPTV. They only tell us what they want us to know, so we can be lobotomized zombies like they are. I dont take them seriously, I am just grateful that I can think for myself and dont need them to do it for me. I'd rather die than have the same philosophy as Bill O'Reilly. I dont think it emboldens terrorists at all, I doubt they pay any attention to us.

Answer 7

It isn't a "critiquing" of the war or the way the President is handling it that is the problem.

The problem is all the "we can't win" and "set a date to leave" and telling the terrorist what we are doing to try and stop them that empowers the enemy. If they see us all turning against each other and revolting (and they do) it will only cause their moral to rise thinking that they have us almost broken.

Answer 8

Let me begin by saying you only mention "conservative" talk show hosts. What, no "liberal" talk show hosts making you angry ? Remember it is only a talk show. Another forum just like Yahoo! Answers is a forum of sorts. Turn off the radio if you don't like what you are hearing.
One thing to remember about the insurgents in Iraq...they think that they are right. Lastly, 'stupid liberals' is right on with her answer.
p.s. what is wrong with Amarillo other than being hot and dusty ?

Answer 9

Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
He loves his country best who strives to make it best.
Robert Green Ingersoll
A man's feet must be planted in his country, but his eyes should survey the world.
George Santayana
If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner.
Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956)
CAPITAL, n. The seat of misgovernment. That which provides the fire, the pot, the dinner, the table and the knife and fork for the anarchist; the part of the repast that himself supplies is the disgrace before meat.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914)
It is not the function of the government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice : Robert H. Parker
To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
Thomas Jefferson
The highest patriotism is not a blind acceptance of official policy, but a love of one's country deep enough to call her to a higher plain.
George McGovern
The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naïve and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair.
H. L. Mencken
We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.
Edward R. Murrow
Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.
George Orwell
Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.
Margaret Chase Smith
The government is merely a servant — merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them.
Mark Twain
I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.
Abraham Lincoln
Loyalty to the country always. Loyalty to the government when it deserves it.
Mark Twain
To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.
Theodore Roosevelt
Well done is better than well said.
Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
Edmund Burke 1729-1797

Answer 10

It is just a way to divide the country and get their policies passed without question. If you don't agree with the president you don't agree with america and you have to get out. That kind of thinking ruins this country

Answer 11

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.
5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.
6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes to (sic) media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed
to the government's policies or actions.
9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.
10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.