A War on Terrorism

Author: Richard R. Tryon

Here is one man’s reaction to the nation’s failure to stop terrorists before they could be strong enough to unleash a massive act of terror on NYC, D.C. and Pennsylvania via the hijacking of four airplanes in a very rapid fashion.

What did they think ?

I am an almost 87 years old retired Professor Emeritus of Ophthalmology,
on the threshold of death. I am a devoted American,
a decorated Korean War veteran, living 50+ years in New York City.

I kept wondering why the powers to be gave each time only a slight wrap on the wrist to terrorists for abominable anti-American actions, all of them outside America proper. To mention some: the killing of our marines in Lebanon, our embassies in Africa, the living quarters of our military in Saudi, the destruction of our most modern war vessel in Yemen.

Did they have an unconscionable fantasy, that they have a handshake,
a 'gentleman's agreement 'with the terrorists, that for mild punishment
of their hellish behavior outside of America, they will not bring their
filthy action to our American mainland. Surprise, surprise criminals
do not have such 'civilized'codes.

Now in the wake of the abominable New York terror act it seemed that
the powers to be are embarking on the correct course: beating the
terrorists into the ground.
Barely in to the punishing action it seems discernable, that some
terrorists are on their way to get a free pass. Do you really believe it,
that there are 'good terrorists'and 'bad terrorists'?
If you believe that such a fantasy really can exist in real life , then you are preparing the demise of this magnificent country, even if you think that you are of the best of will. There are only bad terrorists!

God bless America !
Gyula Peter Halberg, MD

Commentary:
Yes, many Americans, some of which have Jewish roots like Dr. Halberg, have wondered why previous American governments failed to pay attention to the growing threat of terrorism. The tradition of the Old Testament, like the strict interpretations of the Muslim and Christian faiths has no tolerance for terrorism as a God ordained means of forcing others to any religious persuasion. That is why Pres. Bush and most Americans agree that we are leading a cause that pits humanity, that is our entire species, against no religion, just those that find some extreme interpretation of any religion or political dogma as a way to justify draconian measures to change the species. The Taliban in Afghanistan has come to such a position as the result of several factors:

a. The U.S. encouraged it as a unifying force to defend Afghanistan against the Soviet communist effort to capture it and use it as a base for disruption of the Middle East. We provided the weapons to counter those brought from Russia.

b. We have steadily dismantled our own CIA since the days of Pres. Carter, who wanted to think that spying is un-American and not needed. Congress since has not worked with a president to undo that error and we have let the U.N. serve as the vehicle to promote world peace.

c. The collapse of the Soviet Union made the U.S. the victor of the cold-war, when in reality we did not win, they just collapsed so we could win by default. As a result we did little to utilize the victory until 1991 with the Persian Gulf campaign as a U.N. agreed to action to reign in Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. We won the battle but lost that war too! We steadily lost the will to contain Iraq and the Clinton years proved that we lacked leadership to unseat Hussein. Now we have a new chance to do it.

The stage is now set for the first series of real active war against terrorism. The president will no doubt give the order to go into Afghanistan to dismantle the Taliban and capture bin Laden and his team. The last cards for the Taliban have been played. They have some Christian hostages that came to help the people; and they have offered to find bin Laden (they never lost him) and try him according to there interpretation of Islamic law.

The White House has simply said that such an offer is meaningless and too late. We have no reason to tell humanity that it must wait for a phony trial to clear the evil genius in this case that would have been the case in WWII to ask the Nazi party to try Hitler! Or the Emperor of Japan to seize Tojo for trial.

The time has come and only one risk remains. The whole world is in favor of removing the madmen of the Taliban and the fiscal support of bin Laden behind it. The only risk now is that there are already in place some number of additional terrorists poised in every population center of the world, ready to destroy all life in the name of the Taliban and a illegitimate call for a Holy War. If such a threat exists now, it can only get worse with time. If President Clinton was too busy breaking God’s laws to pay attention to what was coming, we will all die. Only the Taliban will come out of the caves in a century or so to rebuild the world.

I think all of humanity has faith in some form of God that tells us that the Taliban and bin Laden will not destroy humankind along with all other life forms on this planet! But, make no mistake, it will take sacrifice by a great many to unseat this remote power that has been able to threaten the entire world. I do not think it is too late to stop for the simple reason that if such was so, the Armageddon order would have happened on September 11, 2001 before the whole world could hear the loud wake-up call and seen it on TV.

The Taliban has not claimed responsibility, nor has bin Laden. The only reason for that is that it lacks any ability to currently execute an Armageddon plan. It hoped to excite a reaction that would unite all Muslims behind the Taliban. That did not happen and no other part of the six billion souls of the world has encouraged that, although a few have called for it before thinking through to the point of understanding why such a response would be ‘playing into the hand’ of the aggressor.

The interesting part of this saga is that we will have to confront the next terrorist corner, soon after the first one is put out of action. We will also have to provide a means of monitoring the survivors in such places as Afghanistan and Pakistan to be sure that new would be martyrs do not spring up to take the places of those dispatched from action or disabled from any future chance.

Moments after finishing the above, the web showed me this message from the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush:

TEXT-Bush statement on U.S. strikes in Afghanistan


WASHINGTON, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Following is the text of a statement made by U.S. President George W. Bush on Sunday, announcing the United States had begun military strikes in Afghanistan.

On my orders, the United States military has begun strikes against al Qaeda terrorist training camps and military installations of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

These carefully targeted actions are designed to disrupt the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist base of operations and to attack the military capability of the Taliban regime.

We are joined in this operation by our staunch friend, Great Britain. Other close friends, including Canada, Australia, Germany and France, have pledged forces as the operation unfolds.

More than 40 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and across Asia have granted air transit or landing rights. Many more have shared intelligence. We are supported by the collective will of the world.

More than two weeks ago, I gave Taliban leaders a series of clear and specific demands: Close terrorist training camps. Hand over leaders of the al Qaeda network, and return all foreign nationals, including American citizens unjustly detained in our country.

None of these demands were met. And now, the Taliban will pay a price.

By destroying camps and disrupting communications, we will make it more difficult for the terror network to train new recruits and coordinate their evil plans.

Initially the terrorists may burrow deeper into caves and other entrenched hiding places. Our military action is also designed to clear the way for sustained, comprehensive and relentless operations to drive them out and bring them to justice.

At the same time, the oppressed people of Afghanistan will know the generosity of America and our allies. As we strike military targets, we will also drop food, medicine and supplies to the starving and suffering men and women and children of Afghanistan.

The United States of America is a friend to the Afghan people, and we are the friends of almost a billion worldwide who practice the Islamic faith.

The United States of America is an enemy of those who aid terrorists and of the barbaric criminals who profane a great religion by committing murder in its name.

This military action is a part of our campaign against terrorism, another front in a war that has already been joined through diplomacy, intelligence, the freezing of financial assets and the arrests of known terrorists by law enforcement agents in 38 countries.

Given the nature and reach of our enemies, we will win this conflict by the patient accumulation of successes, by meeting a series of challenges with determination and will and purpose.

Today we focus on Afghanistan, but the battle is broader. Every nation has a choice to make. In this conflict, there is no neutral ground. If any government sponsors the outlaws and killers of innocence, they have become outlaws and murderers themselves. And they will take that lonely path at their own peril.

I'm speaking to you today from the Treaty Room of the White House, a place where American presidents have worked for peace.

We're a peaceful nation. Yet, as we have learned, so suddenly and so tragically, there can be no peace in a world of sudden terror. In the face of today's new threat, the only way to pursue peace is to pursue those who threaten it.

We did not ask for this mission, but we will fulfill it.

The name of today's military operation is Enduring Freedom. We defend not only our precious freedoms, but also the freedom of people everywhere to live and raise their children free from fear.

I know many Americans feel fear today. And our government is taking strong precautions. All law enforcement and intelligence agencies are working aggressively around America, around the world and around the clock.

At my request, many governors have activated the National Guard to strengthen airport security. We have called up reserves to reinforce our military capability and strengthen the protection of our homeland.

In the months ahead, our patience will be one of our strengths -- patience with the long waits that will result from tighter security, patience and understanding that it will take time to achieve our goals, patience in all the sacrifices that may come.

Today, those sacrifices are being made by members of our armed forces who now defend us so far from home, and by their proud and worried families.

A commander in chief sends America's sons and daughters into battle in a foreign land only after the greatest care and a lot of prayer.

We ask a lot of those who wear our uniform. We ask them to leave their loved ones, to travel great distances, to risk injury, even to be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.

They are dedicated. They are honorable. They represent the best of our country, and we are grateful.

To all the men and women in our military, every sailor, every soldier, every airman, every Coast Guardsman, every Marine, I say this: Your mission is defined. The objectives are clear. Your goal is just. You have my full confidence, and you will have every tool you need to carry out your duty.

I recently received a touching letter that says a lot about the state of America in these difficult times, a letter from a fourth grade girl with a father in the military.

"As much as I don't want my dad to fight," she wrote, "I'm willing to give him to you."

This is a precious gift. The greatest she could give. This young girl knows what America is all about.

Since Sept. 11, an entire generation of young Americans has gained new understanding of the value of freedom and its cost and duty and its sacrifice.

The battle is now joined on many fronts. We will not waver, we will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail. Peace and freedom will prevail.

Thank you. May God continue to bless America.

November 9, 2001
bin Laden claims he has nuclear weapons-paper


ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's Dawn newspaper said on Saturday that in an interview from inside Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden said he had nuclear and chemical weapons and might use them to respond to U.S. attacks.

"I wish to declare that if America used chemical or nuclear weapons against us, then we may retort with chemical and nuclear weapons. We have the weapons as deterrent," the newspaper quoted bin Laden as telling a well-known Pakistani journalist in Afghanistan on Wednesday night.

The paper said that when asked where he got the weapons from, bin Laden replied: "Go to the next question."

Dawn said Hamid Mir, editor of Pakistan's Ausaf newspaper, had interviewed bin Laden, prime suspect in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, after being taken blindfolded by jeep from Kabul on November 7.

The paper, which printed a photograph showing Mir with bin Laden, said it was the first interview the Saudi-born militant had granted to any journalist since the deadly September 11 attacks.


Commentary:
by Richard R. Tryon

Now, we read this report that quotes bin Laden, doesn’t everyone see why we need to stop fighting during his Holy Days? Shouldn’t we give him time to get these other terror weapons in place while a few of his minions appear to be busy praying?

When will the pacifists, peaceniks and other liberal minded champions of “love is the only way to stop terrorists”, ever figure it out?

We are fighting a war to save mankind. We dare not give a lunatic like bin Laden time for anything but to think about where to go hide today and tonight. One day we will catch him and it will be hard to know if it is best to bring him in ‘dead or alive’. Dead he is a martyr now. Alive, we spend years in trial to prove that he should then become a martyr. The simple truth is pretty obvious.