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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
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Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
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January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
March 15, 2005
/ 4 Adar II, 5765
No better friend; no worse enemy
By
Jack Kelly
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
On Feb. 28th, a suicide bomber killed 125 Iraqi police recruits lined up
outside a clinic in Hilla waiting for eye exams. It was the single worst
act of terror directed against Iraqis since the conflict began.
The purpose of terrorism is to so frighten people that they won't do what
the terrorists don't want them to do. If acts of terror fail to accomplish
this result, they are a failure, regardless of how high the body count.
There was another line of volunteers for the Iraqi security forces the next
day, and for several days thousands of Iraqis in Hilla demonstrated against
the terrorists and demanded that sterner measures be taken against them.
Osama bin Laden recognizes terror against Iraqis has become
counterproductive. That was behind his message last month urging Abu Musab
al Zarqawi, the al Qaeda chieftain in Iraq, to focus on attacks within the
United States.
Though viewed with trepidation by the Chicken Littles in the news media,
this was an astonishing confession of weakness. Zarqawi has little
familiarity with this country, and the FBI is unlikely to let him set up
shop here. And if Osama has to pull his man in Iraq out to wage a struggle
in North America, al Qaeda's manpower problems must be intense.
Since I don't think bin Laden's cupboard is quite that bare, I suspect he
was telling Zarqawi diplomatically: "Cool it, dude. You're hurting the
cause. It's time to fold the tent and slink away."
Acts of terror continue, because there is nothing else the resistance can
do. It has negligible popular support, which diminishes with each new
atrocity. The "insurgents" can't take or hold territory. Getting into fire
fights with American soldiers and, increasingly, with the Iraqi security
forces is an express ticket to Allah. If all you have is a hammer, every
problem looks like a nail. But despite the occasional spectacular success
like Hilla, the attacks are diminishing in number and effectiveness. We
haven't arrived at the end, but it is in sight.
Historians will note the turning point in the war on terror was when 8.5
million Iraqis defied terrorist threats to vote, and the terrorists couldn't
make good on their threats. This gave Iraqis ownership of their country and
confidence in the Iraqi police and army, the most visible providers of
security for the election. And it broke the grip of fear the terrorists had
had upon many.
It was the Iraqi example that triggered the burgeoning Cedar Revolution in
Lebanon, and has emboldened freedom seekers in other Arab lands.
Totalitarian regimes rule by terror, and can collapse suddenly when people
lose their fear of their oppressors. That's why there is so much flop sweat
on the brow of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad.
There would have been no elections in Iraq if President Bush hadn't ousted
Saddam Hussein, and the Cedar revolutionaries are counting on Bush's support
to get the Syrians out of their country.
It's remarkable how rapidly America's image has improved in the Muslim
world. Three years ago, Arab moderates were suspicious of America's
motives, and doubtful of America's constancy.
That's changed in part because Bush, like Ronald Reagan before him, has
called the tyrants by their right name, and assured the oppressed that
America stands with them. More important, he's proven in Iraq he means what
he says.
Still, most of the credit for the change in America's image belongs to our
servicemen and women. It was an article of faith for Osama and Saddam that
Americans were cowards. Drawing on the example of Mogadishu in 1993, they
assured their followers that if you kill a few Americans, they'll turn tail.
Now, as StrategyPage notes, the highest compliment that can be paid an Iraqi
soldier is to tell him he "fights like an American."
In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, support for bin
Laden has plummeted and support for the U.S. in the war on terror has
skyrocketed. More Indonesians (40 percent) now support the U.S. than oppose
us (36 percent). In 2003, 72 percent were opposed.
The chief reason for this startling turnaround was the prompt and effective
assistance from the U.S. military after the tsunami. Thanks to President
Bush and our troops, many more Muslims now see us as the Marines want to be
seen: No better friend; no worse enemy.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in Washington and the media consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor Jack Kelly, a former Marine and Green Beret, was a
deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force in the Reagan
administration. Comment by clicking here.
Jack Kelly Archives
© 2005, Jack Kelly
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