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September 29, 2004
A sick joke?
A few years ago there was a joke about a would-be bomber who managed to bungle planting his bomb and setting the timer. The bomb detonated and blew our heroic "freedom fighter" to bits, causing him to have some difficulty reassembling his ghost so he could report to heaven. After several days he was sufficiently ready to present himself at the Pearly Gates and rang the bell.
A small peep window opened in response to the bell, and St Peter enquired who he was, to which our hero replied with name, rank, and organisation. St Peter whereupon informs him coldly that he has come to the wrong place - they don't take members of that organisation in Heaven.
Nothing daunted, our hero replies, "That's OK, I only came to tell you that you have 24 hours to get everyone out!"
On a more serious note of course, the reply sums up the mindset of the terrorist. To most of them the "cause" is an act of almost religious significance and this is what makes dealing with terrorists so difficult. That and the fact that you never know who is behind them, or what the "real" agenda is and what the next demand is likely to be.
The appalling situation with hostage taking and murder in that benighted place, Iraq, is getting ever more beastial and ever less negotiable. The dilemma is, as ever, whether anything is to be gained by withdrawing and allowing them the victory or to remain and try to deal with the Hydra. As always, it has to be a two pronged attack - one to limit their activities (you cannot defeat an enemy who simply melts into the crowd) and secondly to win the hearts and minds of those who hide and support them so that they are exposed and isolated.
It will be a very long haul.
Posted by The Gray Monk at September 29, 2004 11:56 AM