Money vs Minds
Posted 06-24-2008 at 06:41 AM by skeptic1
There is a saying imbedded in every pilots mind about magnetic deviation and navigation in the form of a jingle: East is Least and West is Best. (meaning and adjustment must be made to compensate for the deviation in the magnetic compass as one flys in either direction).
Perhaps there is an unsaid jingle that would help us be aware of and remember what seems to be a world wide current or force moving us toward contemplating an ideological change "because" of the "deviation" between East and West.
Excerpts from an article appear below with and address enabling one to read the entire script.
Note the conclusion of the Quoted consulting expert
"But others warn against underestimating Zawahiri's skill at keeping the debate focused on U.S. policy in the Middle East, a subject that strikes a chord with millions of Muslims, even those otherwise unsympathetic to al-Qaeda.
Perhaps his most effective video, they said, is an 80-minute documentary released last September titled "The Power of Truth."
In the film, Zawahiri and other al-Qaeda leaders offer a long narrative of alleged offenses by the U.S. government against Muslims, using video excerpts of U.S. leaders and commentators to bolster their argument.
"It's beautifully crafted propaganda, and it's a huge problem for us," said Jarret Brachman, research director at the Combating Terrorism Center at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. "You're left shaking your head and saying, 'Yeah, I guess they're right.' "
Special correspondent Munir Ladaa in Berlin contributed to this report.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25341477/page/2/
Perhaps there is an unsaid jingle that would help us be aware of and remember what seems to be a world wide current or force moving us toward contemplating an ideological change "because" of the "deviation" between East and West.
Excerpts from an article appear below with and address enabling one to read the entire script.
Note the conclusion of the Quoted consulting expert
"But others warn against underestimating Zawahiri's skill at keeping the debate focused on U.S. policy in the Middle East, a subject that strikes a chord with millions of Muslims, even those otherwise unsympathetic to al-Qaeda.
Perhaps his most effective video, they said, is an 80-minute documentary released last September titled "The Power of Truth."
In the film, Zawahiri and other al-Qaeda leaders offer a long narrative of alleged offenses by the U.S. government against Muslims, using video excerpts of U.S. leaders and commentators to bolster their argument.
"It's beautifully crafted propaganda, and it's a huge problem for us," said Jarret Brachman, research director at the Combating Terrorism Center at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. "You're left shaking your head and saying, 'Yeah, I guess they're right.' "
Special correspondent Munir Ladaa in Berlin contributed to this report.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25341477/page/2/
Total Comments 2
Comments
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After reading my blog "Momey vs Minds" I suggest you think in terms of it helping to definine the kind of person needed to be at the helm of our ship of state at this point in our history. Do we want ?
!. An old guard samo o same o baggage carrying military ex spouting the current Republican gun boat, fear mongering diplomacy (McCain). Or....
2. A young well educated, well organized articulate individual with a broad life experience that one should recognize as instinctively fitting in with the negotiating climate required in todays world.
Gun boad diplomacy is over as a tool !Posted 06-24-2008 at 09:08 AM by skeptic1
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I think empathy is what's lacking in American foreign policy the most. Any good crime specialist will tell you that the best way to catch someone is to first put yourself in their shoes and try to think like them.
In recent times, to suggest that we try to understand things from the side of others brands you as a weakling to those who are okay with occupying the Middle East. I think that neo-cons and those that are aligned with them fail to realize where terrorism comes from and why it's operating.
In mainstream America, the feeling is oversimplified. "We're good, they're bad, case closed". Like terrorists just randomly started hating America because we're free.
It has nothing to do with jealousy and because we're free, and has everything to do with our interference over there. The British, the Russians, it doesn't matter, they'll fight us off and play dirty for centuries to come as long we meddle in their affairs.
The best policy would be to have some kind of monumental initiative that would see America begin to conserve energy, invest heavily in solar and wind and other renewable energy sources.
Sadly, I'm not sure that either candidate is up to the job. Obama has a plan for energy conservation, but every agrees with it, but no one really wants to apply it. He still doesn't talk about it on the campaign trail, although the literature is there on his website. He's too afraid of challenging America to do something huge and amazing. It's common in the last generation or so now to ask nothing of American citizens.
Look what happened after 9/11. No national sacrifice. Just tax cuts.Posted 06-27-2008 at 05:58 PM by Jason Marcel
