We're fighting in Iraq to stop terrorism. So why are there still terror plots being thwarted?

Question

Isn't it silly, unrealistic, stupid, moronic, ignorant, and/or delusional to think the war in Iraq has slowed terrorism?

Are we fighting them over there, so the UK doesn't have to fight them at home? Aren't we fighting them over there so we don't have to break up terror plots in NJ?

The biggest lie of this war isn't WMD's. It's that fighting this war somehow had made ANYONE on the planet safer.

It's time to wake up from your dream.

We're every bit as likely to sustain a terror attack on US soil as we were pre-9/11.

Answer 1

"Terrorism" cannot be entirely defeated...particularly not by force. One person's terrorist is another's freedom-fighter. As long as people are oppressed, or as long as those who are not in positions of power long to be in power, or as long as people in power do not rule justly, "terror" will go on. Bad news--even if all those things happen...no, I don't think all of those things will ever happen. If nothing else, someone always wants to gain control.

That said, killing an entire region of the world's population is an interesting solution...as long as you're the one doing the killing. So nice to be the one in power. The idea of "kill them before they kill us" is great for the one who thinks of it--and acts on it--first. Hope no one mistakenly considers me a threat...or my neighbor...or my government.

Many people believe the planet is less safe, now. And why wouldn't it be? So, you take out one crazy dictator. Then you kill more of his people than he ever did. Somehow, I don't think the people killed, or their loved ones, feel very liberated.

As far as "taking it to them", how many Iraqis were involved in 9/11?

Answer 2

I believe the war HAS made it safer because we now are more vigilant. How many plots have been thwarted? Take the one in the UK today. Before 9/11, we were asleep at the wheel. No one, and I mean, NO ONE could have imagined this. Was the intell there? yes. Was it faulty? unfortunately yes. Were there WMD there at one time? I do believe so. I don't think you get 9/11. It wasn't just a hit on people. Someone came on our soil and tried to hurt many people. I believe that the war on Terrorism won't be won in the strictest sense. It can only be contained. and that's what i think the war in Iraq is about now. Containing, not winning.

Answer 3

This is a loaded question. I'm only gonna answer the parts that I like.

Isn't it a little backwards to think the "thwarting" of terror plots is a sign of being unsuccessful in the fight against terrorism. I mean, if the London car bomb would have not been thwarted, and hundreds of people in Piccadilly Circus were killed or injured, then wouldn't that show that we were unsuccessfully fighting terrorism??

Are we safer?? I'm sure those people walking around London when the bomb was found feel a whole lot safer. The Western world as a whole might not feel safer, but consensus is not always telling of the truth!

Answer 4

Actually I could post the same answer to this question as I did to Who Care's question. But the gist of it is, the govt is selling this war to us by playing on fears of terrorism. It is a very old tactic used by world leaders around the world.
"Of course the people dont want war...that is understood. But voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." -- Hermann Goering (Hitler's number 2 guy)


However, if one is capable of suspending the thought of terrorist threats for a few minutes and consider the benefits of waging war, the real reasons for the fiasco come to light. Wars are very beneficial to certain industries and the government alike. Consider that wartime presidents whether liked or dislike almost always (I'd have to check to see if the record is 100% or not) get re-elected for a second term. This happens irregardless of the state of the economy which is usually the biggest determining factor. When you also consider that the defense and oil industries are closely aligned with the republican party, it doesn't take a high IQ to comprehend what is going on here.

Terrorist threats are very real but they will exist in their present form whether we are in Iraq or not. Threats are thwarted through intelligence gathering efforts, not physical ground wars. Those who are fighting aginst the troops are merely pawns, not the planners. And as long as we are there invading peoples homes and "accidently" killing civilians, we give the planners fodder for recruitment of more pawns.

We need to end the troops involvement in Iraq and step up our global intelligence gathering and disseminating efforts in order to protect Europe and ourselves.

Answer 5

Josh, Josh, Josh....did someone blow up your home this morning? I'm sorry you have to live in fear of terror plot by people that want to kill you. Why would you want us to not fight the away game? I like knowing that I can go to a Starbucks and not get blown up like what goes on in the rest of the world. Terrorism hasn't slowed, no one said it did but NOT ONE SINGLE ATTACK has occured on American soil since 9/11. The UK is our ally, why not protect our friends? Just because a soldier is out hunting doesn't mean that the prey isn't at out back door. WMD's were found but you wouldn't know that because your lack of news sources...but CNN even has that.
Again I ask, did someone blow up your house this morning...STOP WHINING!

Answer 6

You are exactly right, Josh. If anything the "terrorism" has increased. I mean it seems there are a lot more people who are walking around in terror and that is exactly what the government wants afterall if your people are scared then they are easier to control and they feel they owe you something for protecting them and they are less likely to question your intentions.

Answer 7

Because this is the World War on Terrorism!

It is a war of Good vs. Evil, and there will always be Evil in the world, because man chose to sin in the beginning!

And so, there will never be an end to the Global War on Terror!

Answer 8

It's guys like you Josh, that would turn 180' if you were close to one of those attacks and complain that the govt is not doing enough to protect you.

Answer 9

You really need to do some reading kid. The WMDs were found but Saddam's general we caught told us that Saddam had most of them sent to Syria. We did find some buried in Iraq. I'll post the links but I know you' won't read them cause they are the truth and you hate the truth.

Answer 10

Lets say bad names to make your point believable?
It was a good question until that crap. Now it is only crap.

BTW: Are you suggesting we should stop trying to "thwart" terroist plots Osama?