Is the war on terror real or is it just a smokescreen to hide our imperialist expansion?
448147
What imperialist expansion?  The U.S. has not taken on any new possessions in about a century.  If we were an imperialist nation than we would own Japan, half of Germany, and the panama canal, among other areas.  \n\nThe War on Terror is a response to an attack on U.S. soil.
1105166
It's the truth. Our occupation in Iraq increased the likelihood of terrorism around the world. The threat levels at home will increase greatly as well, all thanks to Bush!
794313
let me first say that the war against Irak HAS NOTHING TO DO with a war against Islamic extremism.\n\nThe two main states, apart Afghanistan, that are spreading islamic extremism are Saoudi Arabia and Pakistan. The US HELPED them by suppressing Saddam Hussein and destroying Irak's power. And because of all that, the Talibans helped by Pakistani secret services and with saoudi money, are now on the verge of destroying the victory in Afghanistan!\n\nnot to be speak of the incredible free propaganda around the world for islamic extremism! do you imagine the real effect of the Abu Grahib pics around the world for example? you don't have a clue!\n\nnothing can be done in Irak now. It was bad from day one. put Saddam back in power, he knows how to rule the place and deal with islamic extremists.\n\nbut now it's due time to fight REALLY against islamic extremism.
26486
We have been in it since 1979. And just didn't admit it until 9/11.  With the Islamic Fundamentalist bombing in places like Sri Lanka, Israel, Spain, Great Briton, Egypt (the Coptic Christians are being hounded pretty good right now), Phillipenes.  It wasn't until Afganistan that we have taken the threat seriously.
1065344
It is not.\nAl Quaida is based in many countries and primarily in Afghanistan. Iraq was a diversionary tactic to vent the anger the American people felt over the attacks on 9/11. No war being fought overseas prevents the possibility of another terrorist strike in the US. We need to be securing our borders and investigating the cells that are already in the US, instead of trying to build an empire in the middle east.\nEvery day thousands of illegal immigrants flow across our southern border. Included in this population are Chinese, Arab, South American, and other ethnicity's that could have terrorist intentions. The US Government will not spend hardly any money on closing this gap because it is not politically correct. They are perfectly willing to squander our tax dollars in the middle east, and have created the largest national debt ever. \nI could go to Mexico this afternoon and arrange to meet someone and bring back weapons, explosives, etc and not be molested by anyone in the process. If I can do it you damn well know there are others doing it. The likely hood of being caught doing anything on the Mexican Border is remote. We are undermanned and overwhelmed down there and no-one except a few vigilante groups seem to care.
944686
The stories about Arabs and Muslims are merely government propaganda.\nThe real terrorists are the secret services, who between them have been responsible for almost ALL terrorist events in recent years.\nSo I do not believe any of the government propaganda about terrorists.
491731
I hear your comment, but not even the 3000 thousand that died in the towers equals the deaths from the American military. No death is valid as far as I am concerned. I really believe that America doesn't have the real story. An attack is a valid reason to sign a "Declaration of War," but the Bush Administration doesn't have one. I am concerned about this, as to it doesn't make any sense. Going into Iraq was unwarranted, and once again no "Declaration of War" was signed. This makes America appear to be just as much of a terrorist nation as the attackers. It's not proper etiquette to our Democracy and policies. The Republicans don't believe in Democracy, it is a Republic type of Government that America is being ruled by at the present. I don't agree with these types of policies and the rest of the World is also appalled by the Bush Administrations actions. All of this could lead to a larger Global War I am afraid. I say voting the Republicans out of office in November is Americas only choice at this point. I don't want to die for a small group of red-necks that stir up problems, and wont play a part in the military. My personal feelings that's all.
734888
Well it seems to be working for them. I am more concerned with why our government praises Pakistan as an ally in the war on terror when they support terrorism and are only pretending to help us.
1172200
the "war on terror" is not a real war.\nit is like the "war on crime" you CAN'T BEAT THEM!\n\nas for bush, he should have been impeached after his first day in office. Al Gore won the 200 presidential election.\n\nBush is a war criminal. \n\nhis administration has openly totured people without giving them a fair trial, or even lawers. \n\nhe lead a pre-emptive war on false information, which he KNEW was flase before he made the announcement.\n\nhe has repeatively stepped over his heighth of power, over ruling other branches of the government.\n\nhe profits of the racist, bullsh*t war both politically and finacialy.
545814
I don't know that I would go so far as to say they would reach for imperialism, but it is true that governments will take advantage of the fear caused by terrorism to usurp some of the citizens rights.  We saw this after 911, and it will be a long time before it gets set right again.
37401
It's not really a war on ideology. It's more of a war to keep them from killing us.
254731
I think I strongly disagree, no one can give a concrete reason that we are there. We are spending so much money, the deficit it overwhelming! Our men are dying with even knowing why themselves. I don't feel like we are accomplishing anything. I believe if it is terrorism we need to deal with those specific terrorist groups directly, but I cant even say it is that, I think the whole thing is a waste of life, money, and it is making us look very bad. Comparable to Vietnam.
248634
i don't know. personally I have always been against it and have believed from the beginning that this has been handled the wrong way. i'm no politician, but i don't see how you can handle terrorism by waging war on a country that now we are saying we are liberating. what kind of hipocrits are we? look what we did to their country and families. Do you think those individuals were responsible for a maniacs choices? They had no more control over the situation then you and I  and the men in charge of it is in hiding and the countymen are still suffering as are our boys and girls.
54059
We are in a global war on Terror. \nWe are taking action.  \n\nUnfortunately our president thought it was best to "Sell" this war piecemeal "war in Iraq, followed by war in Afghanistan" etc.\n\nHad he been more forthcoming, more people would be in support. \n\nThe truth is: we are in a global war on terror that will last decades or until every Islamic country has a stable government that can police their own fringe radicals.\n\nIt needs to be done, and it is being done.\n\nThough I'm not so sure it is being done the right way.  I'm a bit more cynical.  \n\nI say:\n\nInstall friendly dictators in every nation that poses a risk (They know how to deal with these problems) Democracy is beyond the abilities of most of the populations we're talking about.\n\nDevelop an alternative form of Energy and embargo all mid-east oil.\n\nGive Israel free reign to defend themselves as they see fit. \n\nYou'll see a mid-east that begs for our presence, our moderating effect on Israel and our $$ !
1170108
It never ceases to surprise me how these unsuspecting little republican twats keep chanting "its for our protection", "i have not lost any freedom". Yeah you have, you don't even have the freedom to walk to your airplane without having to take off your freaking shoes at least once. You don't have the freedom to speak freely, lest some secret agent infiltrates your group and spies on you. You think it goes away at one fell swoop? No. It goes away bit by bit. Slowly enough for you not to perceive. Try calling someone outside the country. They will spy on your phone call. They use what is called "network analysis" (network analysis my ass) to find who you are associated with. If you know someone that knows someone that knows someone that knows someone that knows.... with a muslim name, they are probably spying on your phone too!!\n\nThe whole "terrorist attack" is an elaborate ploy. What terrorists? Why aren't we looking for Osama? "I am not that concerned about him." -- Bush on Osama, the same person he wanted dead or alive.\n\nNot too long ago in a certain country fire destroyed one of its most important buildings. The government blamed it on some immigrant workers. In the aftermath the government also enacted a law that retracted civil liberties of the people. The same government persecuted homosexuals, people of other religions and races and political dissidents. In the years to follow this government invaded a couple countries on the pretext of "protecting western civilization" from the influence of those countries while actually the reason was to expand their region of control. The invasions started a major conflict in the area that quickly grew out of control.\nMuch later when peace was restored, it was found out that the original fire was actually started by the government itself in order to get the ball rolling towards its ultimate goal of world domination.\n\nThink you have heard that storyline before? Think its about the Bush administration? No. It's actually from history, the Reichstag fire and subsequent Nazi Germany.\n\nI wonder if netjr is actually an illegitimate child of Bush. He defends the guy so vigorously: there must be a blood relation.
743370
The war on terrorism will never end. No matter how vigilant or steadfast we are. This is because you cannot completely eliminate the ideology and conditions which breed terrorists. This does not mean we shouldn't be vigilant though. Terrorists cannot be allowed to act with impunity. There must be consequences for actions. The reason we need the war on terror is because it is more preferable to fight these ideologies somewhere other than our own soil. This is selfish I admit, but it is also a reality. We cannot sit and wait for attacks to occur before we act because this tactic will only cause the scope of the attacks to grow and while terrorism cannot be completely defeated we can, esepcially if we are not willing to strongly defend our freedom and way of life.
604086
this "crusade against terrorism" is just a lie and hidden tool to control the middle east and its oil. The actual US governement had said officially that its goal is to maintain USA hegemony in all ways, using everything they can (deinformation, mediatic manipulation ,lies, wars, military attacks, etc.). \nThis attitude is creating much more anger in all the world, and especially the in the muslim world, who feel the main to be targety. This anger mush a lot of muslims in the dark side of islamist terrorism.  The "war" against terrorism creates more terrorism..