Foreign Occupation Leads to More Terror Ron Paul
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Foreign Occupation Leads to More Terror
Ten years ago shocking and horrific acts of terrorism were carried out on US soil, taking over 3,000 innocent American lives. Without a doubt, this action demanded retaliation and retribution. However, much has been done in the name of protecting the American people from terrorism that has reduced our prosperity and liberty and even made us less safe. This is ironic and sad, considering that the oft-repeated line concerning the reasoning behind the attacks is that they hate us for who we are - a free, prosperous people - and that we must not under any circumstances allow the terrorists to win.
Though it is hard for many to believe, honest studies show that the real motivation behind the September 11 attacks and the vast majority of other instances of suicide terrorism is not that our enemies are bothered by our way of life. Neither is it our religion, or our wealth. Rather, it is primarily occupation. If you were to imagine for a moment how you would feel if another country forcibly occupied the United States, had military bases and armed soldiers present in our hometowns, you might begin to understand why foreign occupation upsets people so much. Robert Pape has extensively researched this issue and goes in depth in his book "Cutting the Fuse: The Explosion of Global Suicide Terrorism and How to Stop It". In fact, of 2,200 incidents of suicide attacks he has studied worldwide since 1980, 95% were in response to foreign occupation.
Pape notes that before our invasion of Iraq, only about 10% of suicide terrorism was aimed at Americans or American interests. Since, then however, not only is suicide terrorism greatly on the rise, but 91% of it is now directed at us.
Yes, the attacks of 9/11 deserved a response. But the manner in which we responded has allowed radicals in the Muslim world to advance a very threatening narrative about us and our motivation in occupying their lands. Osama bin Laden referred to us as "crusaders" with a religious agenda to convert Muslims, westernize their culture and take control of their resources. If we had targeted our response to only the thugs and criminals who attacked us, and refrained from invading countries that had nothing to do with it, this characterization would seem less plausible to the desperate and displaced. Blaming Islam alone is grossly misleading.
Instead, we chose a course of action that led to the further loss of 8,000 American lives, left 40,000 wounded and has hundreds of thousands seeking help at the Veterans Administration. We are three to four trillion dollars poorer. Our military is spread dangerously thin around the globe, at the expense of protection here at home. Not only that, but we have allowed our freedoms to be greatly threatened and undermined from within. The Patriot Act, warrantless searches and wiretapping, abuse of habeus corpus, useless and humiliating searches at airports are just a few examples of how we've allowed the terrorists to "win" by making our country less free.
Suicide terrorism did not exist in Iraq before we got there. Now it does. There are no known instances of Iranians committing suicide terrorism. If we invade and occupy Iran, expect that to change, too.
Sometimes it can be very uncomfortable to ask the right questions and face the truth. When a slick politician comes along and gives a much more soothing, self-congratulating version of events, it is very tempting to simply believe what we would like to hear. But listening to lies does not make us safer, even though it might make us feel better about ourselves.
The truth is that ending these misguided wars and occupations will make us safer, more prosperous and more free.
http://paul.house.gov/index.php?option= ... &Itemid=69
Ten years ago shocking and horrific acts of terrorism were carried out on US soil, taking over 3,000 innocent American lives. Without a doubt, this action demanded retaliation and retribution. However, much has been done in the name of protecting the American people from terrorism that has reduced our prosperity and liberty and even made us less safe. This is ironic and sad, considering that the oft-repeated line concerning the reasoning behind the attacks is that they hate us for who we are - a free, prosperous people - and that we must not under any circumstances allow the terrorists to win.
Though it is hard for many to believe, honest studies show that the real motivation behind the September 11 attacks and the vast majority of other instances of suicide terrorism is not that our enemies are bothered by our way of life. Neither is it our religion, or our wealth. Rather, it is primarily occupation. If you were to imagine for a moment how you would feel if another country forcibly occupied the United States, had military bases and armed soldiers present in our hometowns, you might begin to understand why foreign occupation upsets people so much. Robert Pape has extensively researched this issue and goes in depth in his book "Cutting the Fuse: The Explosion of Global Suicide Terrorism and How to Stop It". In fact, of 2,200 incidents of suicide attacks he has studied worldwide since 1980, 95% were in response to foreign occupation.
Pape notes that before our invasion of Iraq, only about 10% of suicide terrorism was aimed at Americans or American interests. Since, then however, not only is suicide terrorism greatly on the rise, but 91% of it is now directed at us.
Yes, the attacks of 9/11 deserved a response. But the manner in which we responded has allowed radicals in the Muslim world to advance a very threatening narrative about us and our motivation in occupying their lands. Osama bin Laden referred to us as "crusaders" with a religious agenda to convert Muslims, westernize their culture and take control of their resources. If we had targeted our response to only the thugs and criminals who attacked us, and refrained from invading countries that had nothing to do with it, this characterization would seem less plausible to the desperate and displaced. Blaming Islam alone is grossly misleading.
Instead, we chose a course of action that led to the further loss of 8,000 American lives, left 40,000 wounded and has hundreds of thousands seeking help at the Veterans Administration. We are three to four trillion dollars poorer. Our military is spread dangerously thin around the globe, at the expense of protection here at home. Not only that, but we have allowed our freedoms to be greatly threatened and undermined from within. The Patriot Act, warrantless searches and wiretapping, abuse of habeus corpus, useless and humiliating searches at airports are just a few examples of how we've allowed the terrorists to "win" by making our country less free.
Suicide terrorism did not exist in Iraq before we got there. Now it does. There are no known instances of Iranians committing suicide terrorism. If we invade and occupy Iran, expect that to change, too.
Sometimes it can be very uncomfortable to ask the right questions and face the truth. When a slick politician comes along and gives a much more soothing, self-congratulating version of events, it is very tempting to simply believe what we would like to hear. But listening to lies does not make us safer, even though it might make us feel better about ourselves.
The truth is that ending these misguided wars and occupations will make us safer, more prosperous and more free.
http://paul.house.gov/index.php?option= ... &Itemid=69
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Comments
Sometimes the truth hurts.
if not for foreign occupation this would not be happening right now...
http://news.yahoo.com/rockets-fired-us- ... 55416.html
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
The U.S. can leave, but the suicide bombings will continue as they are now an effective tactic. A lot of people would like to blame U.S. occupation as the main culprit, but if memory serves correct, just ten years ago 19 individuals educated the world on how successful this tactic can be.
Ask yourself this question: Worldwide, what is the most common trait among suicide bombers?
That they are dead
Paul and Santorum had a heated exchange on this topic during last nights debate. It was sad to hear Paul get booed when he Stated that Foreign Occupation leads to more terror. ....
As Ron P. was booed he tried to explain, "I'm trying to get you to understand what the motive was behind the bombings".
Yet these people cheered about leaving a 30yr old to die like a dog on the street because the 30yr old has no heath insurance and he shouldn't be the responsibility of the tax payer(hypothetical ?).
Crazy....
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
this forum is full of a bunch of...never mind..Byrnzie tried it to no takers on the 11th but today is the 13th so your thinking enough time has passed to sneak this shit in ? fuck Ron Paul and anybody else that has the balls to disrespect the memories of the people that died that day, you guys are always slinging this kind of bullshit every chance you fucking get and you even have the ball to do it on the week of 9/11...yes I'm a little pissed.
Godfather.
To be fair, the question surrounding the 30 year old (hypothetical) included him having the opportunity to have health insurance but not wanting to pay the premiums (he could afford it) so he declines and then he has a serious health condition. It is a great question that no one can answer very well I don't think.
it's always baffled me why people aren't interested in finding out what would possess a group of people to blow up cafes and fly planes into buildings ...
the truth does hurt ... recognizing one is part of the problem is never an easy thing to do ...
From wikipedia:
"Pape's Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism (2005) contradicts many widely held beliefs about suicide terrorism. Based on an analysis of every known case of suicide terrorism from 1980 to 2003 (315 attacks as part of 18 campaigns), he concludes that there is "little connection between suicide terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism, or any one of the world’s religions... . Rather, what nearly all suicide terrorist attacks have in common is a specific secular and strategic goal: to compel modern democracies to withdraw military forces from territory that the terrorists consider to be their homeland" (p. 4). "The taproot of suicide terrorism is nationalism," he argues; it is "an extreme strategy for national liberation" (pp. 79–80). Pape's work examines groups as diverse as the Al-Qaeda to the Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers. Pape also notably provides further evidence to a growing body of literature that finds that the majority of suicide terrorists do not come from impoverished or uneducated background, but rather have middle class origins and a significant level of education."
well ... yes and no ... what came first? ...
did americans become targets of terrorist acts before they started doing shady things overseas? ... i don't think so ...
Let me ask you something, when is it ok to talk about 9/11 in an adult-like manner? You've got the entire internet filled with conspiracy theories that became impossible to ignore the last few weeks, there have been AT LEAST two major movie companies making films FOR PROFIT off of this not to mention countless PERSONAL documentaries, but Ron Paul talking about our failed foreign policy is what pisses you off?
Godfather please respond as to what you would do.
I don't watch the doc's because it's to sad to re-live
and you're right "You've got the entire internet filled with conspiracy theories " the key word is "threories"
and this place is full of finger pointers with just an idea or because some clown types it up on the internet and most of the people on here that just love a good conspiracy play right into it and of all time ...now ?
what a bunch of bullshit , nobody here cares to talk about the tragedy that Americans suffered on 9/11 or anyother tragedy that happened in America but only how it is some how Americas fault like saying "hay it's alright cause we had it coming"....bullshit !!!!!!
Godfather.
Godfather,
in your opinion why were we attacked in the way were? And why wasn't it some other country- like Canada or Mexico etc?
and no don't ask me to dig deeper for you you're the ones that keep talking shit about America do your own fucking home work.
Godfather.
Once again I ask, if China were to invade us and build a base in all 50 states, how would you react? Godfather you completely ignored every question that I asked you.
uhhh ... i think blame is the wrong word ... but he says that US occupation in the middle east led to the 9-11 attacks ...
because your question is bated..but have you ever seen a movie called Red Dawn
Americans on the home front wouldn't let that happen and you know why ? WE HAVE GUN'S !!!
and the balls to use them if any country tried to invade us....all though I have a feeling most of the people on the train would lay down and die because the think they have it coming to them as Americans,talk about sheep :?
Godfather.
I don't know why you even bother. It is clear from every post that he is unable to use logic or think critically when addressing this situation.
I watched the entire debate last night and watched the hour long after show. I found it astonishing that CNN didn't dare go near this debate (Ron Paul vs. Rick Santorum ). It is fucking pathetic.
Suicide attacks in Afghan alone thru 2008:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Afghanistan_suicide_bomb_attacks_incl_non-detonated_2002-2008_UNAMA_red.png
If Taliban tactics didn't change somewhere in 2005, then I would be interested to see what caused the influx.
It also appears that most of the attacks are not on U.S. troops, but civilians. How are you compelling modern democracies to withdraw military forces from territory when you blow up a hospital or mosque? Do the Pakistani people blame the U.S. when the Taliban shoot up a school bus with children on it as happened today? (http://news.yahoo.com/gunmen-attack-school-bus-pakistan-3-dead-090044650.html) Are the Sunni's and Shite's murdering each other to protest U.S. diplomacy?
Perhaps once the terror attacks were used for nationalism, but my opinion now links them to ideology.
I accept that American policy had an impact on the initial terror attacks, whether warranted or not. I also accept that terror attacks have gone well beyond a fight against foreign policy and are now being used be terror groups to kill all that oppose their ideology.
If a majority of suicide attacks were isolated to Iraq and Afghanistan, I may be inclined to think otherwise. Or if country that has seen a high spike in violence had a lot of it associated with suicide attacks, such as Mexico, it may cause me to think otherwise.
i would just like to say that i in no way feel any attack is warranted ... all i'm trying to get across is ... everyone is so hell bent on fighting terrorism but no one seems to care why it exists ...
there is no chicken-egg argument here really ... there is no 9-11 if US foreign policy wasn't based on ecomomic imperialism ...