Zarqawi’s death
I woke up today to the news of Zarqawi’s death. This is the best day of its kind since the announcement of Saddam’s capture. And it does not seem this time as though reports of Zarqawi’s death have been greatly … Continue reading →
Category Archives: Terrorism and terrorists
See no evil: sadistic terrorists and “World War III”
Mudville Gazette covers the killing of Iraqi journalist Atwar Bahjat (see NOTE below). If you haven’t yet read a description of how this 30-year old woman was brutally and tortuously murdered, I warn you that it’s very strong stuff. I … Continue reading →
Terrorism, fear, and fighting amongst ourselves
Yesterday, commenter “sally” posted this on the Zarqawi thread: Something to bear in mind in all of this is that terrorism itself is a purely ideological and propagandistic form of warfare. Sudden, random, and otherwise pointless acts of mass slaughter … Continue reading →
The “United 93” premiere: not too soon for some
Some say it’s too soon for a movie about Flight 93. I don’t understand that argument; how can nearly five years from the event be too soon? After all, this is not an in-depth exploration of the event’s historical ramifications. … Continue reading →
Another suicide blast, another heroic security guard
The Hamas government claims that today’s suicide attack that killed nine innocents and wounded sixty in Tel Aviv is a “legitimate response to Israeli aggression.” One thing you can say for Hamas: they’re clear about where they stand. The linked … Continue reading →
Kidnapping, coercion, and mind control: Jill Carroll, and the strange case of Patty Hearst (Part II)
[Part I can be found here.] About a month after being photographed with a gun at the Hibernia bank robbery and then coming out as the chic revolutionary “Tania,” Patty Hearst participated in still another crime. This time she covered … Continue reading →
Kidnapping, coercion, and mind control: Jill Carroll, and the strange case of Patty Hearst (Part I)
[Part II can be found here.] The Jill Carroll kidnapping was dreadful from the very beginning: watching videos of the young woman, pleading and crying; imagining the emotional state of her family and friends, and most especially her parents; trying … Continue reading →
The cavalry never came: Moussaoui’s confession
The ongoing carnival of the Moussaoui trial has introduced still another act: the main character turning the tables on his defense team (and himself) by a spectacular in-court confession during the sentencing stage of his trial. This gesture of Moussaoui’s … Continue reading →
The West–reluctant self-propagandists
Belmont Club’s Richard Fernandez has written this thought-provoking post on the enlistment of Batman–yes, you heard me right, Batman–in the fight against Al Qaeda. Batman, of course, is not real–I assume that at least we can all agree on that. … Continue reading →
Iran’s dirty little weapon
On this thread from yesterday, an interesting discussion is ensuing concerning what could–or should–be done about Iran’s nascent nuclear arsenal. But one point I haven’t seen mentioned there, and which troubles me greatly, is the fact that intelligence has it … Continue reading →
More about the reporting of the Munich Massacre of 1972
In my previous post, I recalled hearing the “good news, bad news” reports of the Munich Massacre: Those of you who, like me, are of a certain age, may recall that when the shootout and botched rescue attempt occurred at … Continue reading →
For shame: murderers and terrorists
I’ve come to believe that the feeling of shame underlies much of the anger and violence in the world. But why, you may ask, would shame, “a painful emotion caused by a strong sense of guilt, embarrassment, unworthiness, or disgrace,” … Continue reading →