Because they see him as tough and unyielding, the majority
of Americans think George W. Bush will be a more effective leader than John
Kerry in the war against terrorism.
When pollsters ask which candidate can better fight al Qaeda and protect
our nation, Bush has always come out with a double-digit lead over his
Democratic rival.
But not everyone agrees with the American populace on this
question. Most interestingly, one
person who does not agree is Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden has now shown all the
world that al Qaeda wants a second term for Bush.
You doubt it?
Why else would the al Qaeda leader release a threatening videotaped
speech less than one week before Americans vote? Go figure. Bin
Laden knows well enough how close the American race is. He also knows very well that the more
fearful Americans are of the al Qaeda threat, the more likely they will be to
vote Bush. Bin Laden's well-timed
release of this taped message is thus an attempt to influence American
voters.
But why would al Qaeda want to give Bush another four
years? Isn't it Bush, after all,
who is more aggressive in the fight against Muslim terrorism? Why then would bin Laden try to
influence the American election in this way?
The answer is obvious, and has been obvious for a long
time. Bush may be "more
aggressive" in fighting terrorism, but at the same time his strategies are
lame. Bin Laden wants Bush to win
another four years because he can see that Bush's foreign policy is, in the
long run, accomplishing al Qaeda goals.
Bush is overextending the American military, alienating America's
allies, and making major blunders as regards the Israel-Palestine
conflict. No American leader other
than Bush is likely to send Osama bin Laden gifts as lavish as the American war
in Iraq. Bin Laden sees clearly
that Bush's cowboy approach to foreign policy is doing much to swell support
for al Qaeda even as it undermines support for America among nations that were
formerly our closest allies.
For more than a year now, I've watched as my government
played into Bin Laden's hand. And
when I've criticized the policies, I've been accused of being na•ve at best or
anti-American at worst. Many months
ago I tried to present how Bush's foreign policies looked from the perspective
of the enemy. I was attacked by
supposed patriots for being "flaky" and "wimpy," such a
"bleeding-heart liberal."
I was criticized for being "divisive"--that word they've used
repeatedly to silence debate of the issues. "We can only meet al Qaeda with force," I was
told. "That's the only
language they understand."
Yes, I'd have to agree. Force is the only language they understand. And that is why bin Laden is trying to
sway the American election like he is.
He wants four more years of misguided American force, four more years of
America squandering its opportunities, four more years of America shooting
itself in the foot.
See:
http://www.necessaryprose.com/binladenvotes.htm
Vote Kerry on Tuesday. Let's bring America back into the community of civilized
nations.
Eric Mader
October 30, 2004
Email: inthemargins03@hotmail.com
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This page is at http://www.necessaryprose.com/