[fintstone]

Originally posted by Dottore
...Instead of defeating the terrorists - you have chosen to incite them. Instead of taking the high road - you have chosen the low road. Instead of taking out the problem by stealth (special forces etc) you have chosen to make martyrs out of people who would otherwise have been ignored and have had no significant impact on their communities.
...

If you know a way top defeat terrorists...or anyone...without inciting them...please pass it on...although that seems a bit of oxymoron to me. Are you saying we need to make them "die happy?"

Originally posted by Dottore
... Islamic extremism is a blight on humanity - of that there is no doubt. But surely there were better ways to deal with this than the current occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan - for which there is no end in sight...

And what exactly would that be? We have poured aid into the middle east for 40 years...and all we got was 9/11 and Palestinians dancing in the streets to celebrate.

Originally posted by Dottore
...How difficult would that be? Remember how you won the hearts and minds of Europeans after WW2 - with nylon stockings, bubble gum, cigarettes and beer. It's that simple really....well actually it isn't any longer - you have pissed that opportunity away.

Saddam beat us to it this time and bought the Europeans with oil and oil (blood) money. It is too bad that as friends...many Europeans go to the highest bidder.