McCain is absolutely correct.

As absolute proof that al-Qaeda is trying to influence the election, yesterday bin Laden made a move to acquire a majority stake in Diebold.

I want to meet a terrorist.

/Seriously I bet they're cuddly and misunderstood.
//I could teach him about Jesus!

Fearmongering, it's not just for dinner anymore!

*facepalm*

He'll make a refreshing change from Bush.

same thing was said 4 years ago. It's not fear, it's reality. Ask the IDF about the shiat they get every election.

thermo: same thing was said 4 years ago. It's not fear, it's reality. Ask the IDF about the shiat they get every election.

So al Qaeda is based in Florida?

Almost as idiotic as the submitter's idiotic headline.

The only Al Qaeda news I have heard in the last few weeks was that they had kidnapped 2 Australian tourists in Algeria.


For a supposed global terrorism network with tentacles reaching into the very hearts of western society, threatening us all as we sleep, 2 Oz tourists seems rather small potatoes. Perhaps we have been mislead a tad?

TFA: Asked why American civilians have never been asked for personal sacrifices to help the war effort, McCain said: "After 9/11, I think that we made a mistake by telling Americans they should go on a trip or go shopping. I think we should've told Americans to join the military, the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps -- all the organizations that allow people to serve this nation."

I'm sure it'll generate flak, but I think this is the truest thing he has said in a long, long time.

Surge them, McCain. Just pay them more to not attack us.

slackist: For a supposed global terrorism network with tentacles reaching into the very hearts of western society, threatening us all as we sleep, 2 Oz tourists seems rather small potatoes. Perhaps we have been mislead a tad?

It has been shown already that there is no such organisation as Al Qaeda. It is more of an idea or a rallying point for likeminded people. There is no real leadership, no headquarters and no specific orders.

The program "the Politics of Fear" is a good one for more information on this.

I think McCain is absolutely correct. In fact, it worked in 2004 when bin Laden worked ceaselessly to ensure that George Bush was re-elected.

They had so much success in 2004, why not do it again?

And al-qaeda probably appreciates their efforts.

Glasgowsfinest: It has been shown already that there is no such organisation as Al Qaeda. It is more of an idea or a rallying point for likeminded people. There is no real leadership, no headquarters and no specific orders.

Actually, Glasgowsfinest, that was the point I was trying to make. This whole "we'll protect you from the bogeymen" schtick is pitiful at this point. Cheers anyway.

Oh my God

If you folks elect this clown to be your leader I hope you get exactly what you deserve.

It worked in Spain pretty well.

RobertBruce: It worked in Spain pretty well.

The Spaniards didn't like the fact that their govt lied about who carried out the attacks. They insisted it was ETA despite having evidence to the contrary.

Reading is fundamental.

slackist: Actually, Glasgowsfinest, that was the point I was trying to make.

Ah apologies.

the closer to november we get the more the fear factor will be ratcheted up. it's all the GOP has left. a cranky old man with no platform other than boo!

RobertBruce: t worked in Spain pretty well.

Worked for the GOP in 04 too. Who's the real terrorist? the guy living in a cave in Pakistan who quite possibly is dead? Or the GOP using fear to influence the voters?
Both have the same goal. To use fear to influence elections.

Its the 'booga booga' tactic.

I'm definitely on the 'agree' side of this.
He was responding to a question.

what was he supposed to say ?
"No.. that's rediculous. There is absolutely NO threat of that kind of thing ever occurring on our soil" ??
Of course... then you could bash him for not realizing that all of Bush's Constitution rape has done NOTHING to make us safer.

It's a win/win for some folks I guess either way.

I suspect every enemy this nation has ever fought has been aware of our politics and elections. Hell, the Tet Offensive was clearly intended to impact political support for the war in the US.
The more pressing question is exactly what level of risk do aq and various and sundry related extremists really represent at this point in time. The fact that the issue has become so purely political in the US in a telling sign of the fundamental failure of the government to execute its prime duty to the people.

Ok, everybody. RTFA please. He said in the first paragraph that they would attack to turn the election against him. America moves to the right when we are attacked. 2001. 2004. "Did IQ's suddenly drop while I was away?"

12 Inch Pianist: the issue has become so purely political in the US in a telling sign of the fundamental failure of the government to execute its prime duty to the people the troops. McCain was a political pawn when captive in Hanoi. Now when he claims they are political pawns when killed in Iraq, he makes them political pawns.

blade1228: Ok, everybody. RTFA please. He said in the first paragraph that they would attack to turn the election against him. America moves to the right when we are attacked. 2001. 2004. "Did IQ's suddenly drop while I was away?"

Well, to be fair, an attack would highlight the spectacular failure that the Republican foreign policy has been. Since John McCain has promised to continue Bush's policies, that might have an effect of driving people away from voting Republican. McCain should hope that Al Qaeda just threatens to attack if he's elected. That would be the biggest favor they could do for him.

Relatively Obscure: TFA: Asked why American civilians have never been asked for personal sacrifices to help the war effort, McCain said: "After 9/11, I think that we made a mistake by telling Americans they should go on a trip or go shopping. I think we should've told Americans to join the military, the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps -- all the organizations that allow people to serve this nation."

I'm sure it'll generate flak, but I think this is the truest thing he has said in a long, long time.

Feh. JFK said it first. And better. And I'm a Republican.

Why do we need to be at war for Americans to serve public interest? That's just propaganda.

McCain's just pushing the RNC's agenda d' jour in order to get his ass in the White House. Once he's in, he MIGHT return to his conservative roots and drop all this cowardly neocon FUD BS.

Just remember: if Ron Paul had won in 1988, we would not be in the financial or foreign policy straights we're in now.

Ron Paul '08

What a colossal a-hole.

al-Qaeda owns Diebold?

Who?

Al-Qadia and McCain both want the same thing: endless war.

McCain uses fear-mongering and the specter of terrorism as much as Giuliani invoked 9-11. F both of them.

Giblet: Relatively Obscure: TFA: Asked why American civilians have never been asked for personal sacrifices to help the war effort, McCain said: "After 9/11, I think that we made a mistake by telling Americans they should go on a trip or go shopping. I think we should've told Americans to join the military, the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps -- all the organizations that allow people to serve this nation."

I'm sure it'll generate flak, but I think this is the truest thing he has said in a long, long time.

Feh. JFK said it first. And better. And I'm a Republican.

Why do we need to be at war for Americans to serve public interest? That's just propaganda.

McCain's just pushing the RNC's agenda d' jour in order to get his ass in the White House. Once he's in, he MIGHT return to his conservative roots and drop all this cowardly neocon FUD BS.

Just remember: if Ron Paul had won in 1988, we would not be in the financial or foreign policy straights we're in now.

Ron Paul '08

Did you know there is this guy Ron Paul? He is running for president. He is like Jesus and God and LOLcats all together. He is the steak your dogs want. He is the person that made sure Duke did suck. He even invented hot teacher/student love for FARK. He is the greatest. Constitution.

/Ron Paul is a good man
//Some of his supporters are fricken nuts

McCain, at a town hall meeting in this Philadelphia suburb, was asked if he had concerns that al Qaeda or other groups in Iraq might intensify their operations to try to increase casualties in the autumn and influence the November election.

"Yes, I worry about it," McCain said. "And I know they pay attention because of the intercepts we have of their communications ... The hardest thing in warfare is to counter someone or a group of individuals who are willing to take their own lives in order to take others."

Seriously, no one read the article. He was responding to the question whether terrorist groups in Iraq would intensify attacks in an effort to influence the election. And he acknowledged that's possible. That's it. And it is possible. If they do step up attacks, more soldiers could die and it could give a boost to Obama/Hillary. Jeez, you people think "The Man" is out to get the Democrats, look at all this blatant smearing against McCain.

If (goddess forbid) he gets elected, McCain will NOT make it through his first term.

McCain is suffering from senile dementia and wets his pants.

If this story is AT ALL true, McCain may not even make it through the campaign.

Spectacular? Nope. Idiotic? Yeah kinda.

Really he was just answering a question - but it's not like it's such a huge stretch to think the Republicans will continue to say things along these lines until we get to the point we always get to - them saying really stupid fear-mongering things - and really stupid people believing them and voting for them.

"I believe we can counter most of it as we are countering them," he said.


I like this part of the article.

drhansenej: What a colossal a-hole.

Don't be so hard on yourself drhansenej. Its your parents fault you turned out this way.

The hardest thing in warfare is to counter someone or a group of individuals who are willing to take their own lives in order to take others.

Well yes, it is harder to fight against soldiers than say brownie scouts. And yes, soldiers do die sometimes, and they tend to know the risks before they go into battle.

Glasgowsfinest: It has been shown already that there is no such organisation as Al Qaeda. It is more of an idea or a rallying point for likeminded people. There is no real leadership, no headquarters and no specific orders.

In short, it's a boogeyman. Every "insurgent" seems to be part of some Islamic group, and every such group has been thrown under the catch-all title of "al-Qaeda".

The program "the Politics of Fear" is a good one for more information on this.

The Power of Nightmares.

HowlingFrog: The Power of Nightmares.

Which to the best of my knowledge has never been aired on US television.
Wonder why that is?

McCain = "Four more years"

leegalizit: McCain = "Four more years"


What if the alternative is Hillary?

HowlingFrog: The Power of Nightmares.

Ah yes. politics of Fear was the subtitle here. My apologies.

I believe that the full title was: 'The Power of Nightmares: the Rise of the Politics of Fear'.


It is an excellent documentary, should be required viewing for everybody.

slackist: It is an excellent documentary, should be required viewing for everybody.

It is, and I repeat my question: why has it never been aired here in the US? I wouldn't expect it to be aired on FOX, CNN or MSNBC, but what about PBS?
One of the most in-depth and relevant documentaries ever made by the UK's finest documentary filmmaker, and most Americans have never even heard of it.

Watch the three parts here: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Iraq turns it around, stops the violence = victory for the GOP.

Iraq continues cycle of violence without political solution = victory for GOP.

Got it.