Muslims angered over cartoons? These?!?

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

They don't have to.

http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism...8-104811-5127r

Russian MP gives date of U.S. Iran attack
MOSCOW, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Russian Duma member Vladimir Zhirinovsky said that a U.S. attack on Iraq is "inevitable" and will occur on March 28.

Zhirinovsky is vice-chairman of Russia's Duma and founder and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia.

During an interview with Ekho Moskvy radio station, Zhirinovsky said, "The war is inevitable because the Americans want this war. Any country claiming a leading position in the world will need to wage wars. Otherwise it will simply not be able to retain its leading position.

"The date for the strike is already known -- it is Israel's election day (March 28.) It is also known how much that war will cost."

Zhirinovsky also told his listeners that the Danish publication of cartoons offensive to Muslims was a deliberate psychological operation by the Bush administration intended to "provoke a row between Europe and the Islamic world. It will all end with European countries thanking the United States and paying, and giving soldiers."

Ah yes, of course. I had forgotten that the Bush administration's inner circle includes the Duma. No doubt Mr. Zhirinovsky is a very reliable source on this matter, as the White House has been working so intimately with Russian politicans lately in the construction of its foreign policy. The rest of the world clearly has taken notice of Mr. Zhirinovsky's comments, as well. The article's all over the major news sites...

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

Ah yes, of course. I had forgotten that the Bush administration's inner circle includes the Duma. No doubt Mr. Zhirinovsky is a very reliable source on this matter, as the White House has been working so intimately with Russian politicans lately in the construction of its foreign policy. The rest of the world clearly has taken notice of Mr. Zhirinovsky's comments, as well. The article's all over the major news sites...

More wars. How lovely.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

Ah yes, of course. I had forgotten that the Bush administration's inner circle includes the Duma. No doubt Mr. Zhirinovsky is a very reliable source on this matter, as the White House has been working so intimately with Russian politicans lately in the construction of its foreign policy. The rest of the world clearly has taken notice of Mr. Zhirinovsky's comments, as well. The article's all over the major news sites...

I never said the administration had linked the cartoons to Iran. That was you.
"Iraq" is a typo in the article and I can provide another article (same story) without the typo.

[gldstwmn]

Oops, looks like I spoke too soon. Is Condi Rice far enough in Bush's inner circle for you J?

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/WBT004751.htm

US's Rice: Iran, Syria stoke Muslim cartoon anger
08 Feb 2006 17:45:19 GMT

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, Feb 8 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice accused Iran and Syria on Wednesday of deliberately stoking Muslim anger in a dispute over cartoons satirizing Islam's Prophet Mohammad that has sparked deadly protests.

[gldstwmn]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4694876.stm

Iran and Syria 'incited violence'

Norway's embassy in Iran was also targeted
The US secretary of state has accused Iran and Syria of fuelling anti-Western sentiment, in a row over cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad.
Condoleezza Rice said both countries used the opportunity to incite violence and exploit Muslim anger.

The accusation came as the UK embassy in Iran came under attack. Western embassies in Syria and Lebanon were set alight over the weekend.

Protests continue elsewhere, with four killed in an Afghan demonstration.

The deaths - at a protest by about 400 people in the town of Qalat - bring to 12 the number of people killed in Afghan protests over the cartoons in recent days.

Afghanistan's top council of Muslim clerics has called for an end to several days of demonstrations.

'Sentiments inflamed'

Speaking at a joint news conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Ms Rice said some countries were behaving responsibly with regard to the row but that others "have also used this opportunity to incite violence."

"I don't have any doubt that ... Iran and Syria have gone out of their way to inflame sentiments and to use this to their own purposes. And the world ought to call them on it," she said.

During the day about 200 Iranian demonstrators attacked the UK embassy in Tehran, but were prevented by police from forcing entry to the building.

The Danish and Norwegian embassies in Iran have also been attacked, while those in Beirut and Damascus were set on fire at the weekend.

Meanwhile US President George W Bush urged governments to prevent attacks on diplomatic missions.

"I call upon the governments around the world to stop the violence, to be respectful, to protect property, protect the lives of innocent diplomats who are serving their countries overseas," he said.

In other developments:

French magazine Charlie Hebdo becomes the latest to print the cartoons. President Jacques Chirac condemns decisions to republish the cartoons as an "overt provocation"

Hackers attack hundreds of Danish websites, posting pro-Islamic messages condemning publication of the images

Several hundred people march on the Italian embassy in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, but are blocked by police

About 300 Palestinian protesters attack an international observers' mission in the West Bank town of Hebron, throwing rocks and bottles and trying to torch one of its buildings

Thousands demonstrate in Pakistan's Dara Adam Khel tribal region, bordering Afghanistan.

[bretonbanquet]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

Yes, we were watching a show on the religion of Islam. They had terrorists as well as clergy speak. While the minister was speaking about what Islam really is, and how terrorists and extremists have twisted it, I mentioned how terrorists have bastardized the religion. She said she thought most muslims did. I said, actually, that isn't true, most muslims are peaceful. Then she said "I don't care, I hate them all and I don't care if it isn't politically correct." I did not speak to her the rest of the day and had to leave the room even though the show was really interesting. Plus it made me really sad since that is the exact attitude the terrorists have toward us, that blind hatred without reason. Plus how can you just hate people? I just don't understand.

That's sad Good job for her she doesn't live in London

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

More wars. How lovely.

I was being sarcastic, David. This Zhirinovsky guy is talking out of his ass. There's no possible way that some loudmouth Russian MP knows anything about the Bush administration's foreign policy plans. In addition, claiming that this cartoon ordeal was somehow orchestrated by the US is absolutely ludicrous and completely unfounded.

This idiot also has something of a history for shooting his mouth off and making things up. Check out this wonderful article about his response to Condoleeza Rice's reprimanding of Russia regarding its handling of the recent gas crisis in Ukraine: http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/88/...ndoleezza.html

"Condoleezza Rice released a coarse anti-Russian statement. This is because she is a single woman who has no children. She loses her reason because of her late single status. Nature takes it all."

Even putting aside the fact that he's a Russian MP, does this sound like a guy who would be privy to the White House's foreign policy decisions? (Frankly, gldstwmn, I'm shocked that you actually claim to believe this.)

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

Oops, looks like I spoke too soon. Is Condi Rice far enough in Bush's inner circle for you J?

Of course Iran and other Muslim countries are going to be called to task for allowing or encouraging violence in response to these cartoons. But that has nothing to do with an impending war. Do you believe that we're going to launch a war against Syria, as well, because Condi mentioned it in her statement?

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

I was being sarcastic, David. This Zhirinovsky guy is talking out of his ass. There's no possible way that some loudmouth Russian MP knows anything about the Bush administration's foreign policy plans. In addition, claiming that this cartoon ordeal was somehow orchestrated by the US is absolutely ludicrous and completely unfounded.

This idiot also has something of a history for shooting his mouth off and making things up. Check out this wonderful article about his response to Condoleeza Rice's reprimanding of Russia regarding its handling of the recent gas crisis in Ukraine: http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/88/...ndoleezza.html

"Condoleezza Rice released a coarse anti-Russian statement. This is because she is a single woman who has no children. She loses her reason because of her late single status. Nature takes it all."

Even putting aside the fact that he's a Russian MP, does this sound like a guy who would be privy to the White House's foreign policy decisions? (Frankly, gldstwmn, I'm shocked that you actually claim to believe this.)

Oh I didnt mean that as any comment on what you were saying. SOrry about that. I was being more general in saying we dont need any more wars. Again sorry

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

(Frankly, gldstwmn, I'm shocked that you actually claim to believe this.)

You obviously don't know me very well. Of course, if you've got better ideas, then I'm willing to read them.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

. . . Do you believe that we're going to launch a war against Syria, as well, because Condi mentioned it in her statement?

If they thought they could get away with it, yes. I mean it was rumored to come to that a few a years ago, but it did not. Finally, Syria IMO would be better to rid the world of than Iran if you had to chose.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

Of course Iran and other Muslim countries are going to be called to task for allowing or encouraging violence in response to these cartoons. But that has nothing to do with an impending war. Do you believe that we're going to launch a war against Syria, as well, because Condi mentioned it in her statement?

No. I haven't figured out what Syria's role in all of this is yet.

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

No. I haven't figured out what Syria's role in all of this is yet.

I'm no expert, but it wouldnt surprise me at al to finf that they've got their hands deep in this cookie jar.

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Oh I didnt mean that as any comment on what you were saying. SOrry about that. I was being more general in saying we dont need any more wars. Again sorry

No, we don't, nor we do we have the money or troops for one. Unfortunately, within the past few months we've seen the Middle East become a much more volatile place, with various nations now posing actual potential threats that may need to be addressed, unlike the made-up claims used to incite the Iraq debacle.

Personally, I think that behind closed doors the Bush administration realizes that it has f***ed up big time with Iraq, and that it doesn't have any political capital left to spend on other "freedom-spreading" endeavors. Hence the very cautious, diplomatic reactions to the current situations in Iran, Palestine and elsewhere. Can you imagine the White House taking such a delicate tone three years ago in response to these various revelations and upheavals? Bush & pals know they have neither the manpower nor the funding nor the public support to launch any more extensive military adventures.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

I'm no expert, but it wouldnt surprise me at al to finf that they've got their hands deep in this cookie jar.

How so?