March 3, 2008
Bombing Somalia
Why the Hell are we bombing Somalia? Purportedly to take out a "known al-Qaeda terrorist". Apparently, it took three missiles to take out that one "terrorist," and we killed at least 4 people and wounded at least 20 others. The U.S. attack was confirmed by Bryan Whitman, a spokesman for the Pentagon. According to an AFP report, Dhoble "is home to thousands of refugees who fled clashes in Mogadishu." The U.S., however, identifies it as an "Islamist" town.
David Axe at Wired.com's "Danger Room" argues that "bombing Somalia is a bad idea." The United States aided Ethiopia in overthrowing the legitimate Somalian government which started an Islamic insurgency. It also left the people of Somalia starving. The turmoil created a hot spot for radical recruiting and massive violence.
The current bombing killed and injured civilians. Further, the Somalians know that the U.S. assisted in the Ethiopian invasion. This does nothing to improve the image of the United States within the region. If al Qaeda actually is recruiting and organizing in Somalia, they are likely to gain more than they lose by the most recent "shock and awe" approach to the "war on terrorism."
Tid-bit: It is reported that three Tomahawk missiles were fired from a submarine off the coast of Somalia. Each missile costs $1.4 million for a total of approximately $4.2 million.
See also:
American attack targets al-Qa'eda in Somalia. Mike Pflanz, Telegraph/UK. 3/04/08.
Behind the Ethiopian Blitz. David Axe. War is Boring. 1/16/07.
Posted by rowan at March 3, 2008 7:18 PM | [eMail this article!] |Avarice !
Posted by: bill at March 3, 2008 8:39 PM" Ask your member of Congress to introduce a one page bill that says the following: Whenever Congress and the White House take our country to war, all able-bodied military-age children of every member of Congress, the President and the Vice-President will be conscripted automatically into the armed forces."
"That simple law will generate deliberations containing relevant, accurate information and assumption of proper constitutional responsibilities by the Congress and the President."
"When politicians‚ children are required to go off to war, it tends to concentrate their minds toward waging peace before waging false pretense wars".A solution by Ralph Nader:
"
Hey Jutsadog, how about a comment ?
Is there anybody out there that gives a shit ?
Posted by: bill at March 5, 2008 9:05 PMBill, I think your suggestion is excellent. I think I would extend the mandatory service to grandkids given the age of many of our legislators. It would certainly give them pause if they have a loved one on the line for their decisions.
Given that the military is taking folks up to 42 or something crazy like that would make the investment a bit larger.
Posted by: rowan at March 5, 2008 9:13 PMTo track this topic without leaving a comment enter your email address: