By Alan Caruba
It’s become so commonplace as to receive only a minor mention in the news. Predator drones under the command presumably of the CIA or the Air Force find and kill some ranking member of al Qaeda in far-off Waziristan.
Silently traversing the skies above the otherwise impenetrable region, death must come as a surprise to the masters of Islamic hatred and terror.
Recently a senior Saudi cleric, Sheikh Saleh bin Muhammad Al-Luhaidan, the head of the Saudi Supreme Judicial Council, had some harsh words for al Qaeda and its founder. The scion of one of Saudi Arabia’s most distinguished families outside of the royal one, Osama bin Laden has been a pariah there for years. The Saudis were among the earliest to recognize the danger he posed.
“His actions speak for him,” said the Sheikh of bin Laden. “He is not the one to direct a person onto the right path. Indeed, he is a promoter of evil and depravity, and whoever follows him, pursues depravity.”
The Sheikh said of his followers, “These deviants, who were not tolerated in their (own) countries, went to Iraq and to other countries with the purpose of destroying of (Saudi) kingdom.” He called them criminals.
I don’t know what he thought of the 15 Saudis who participated in 9/11, but presumably he thinks they’re criminals as well. The fact is that Saudi Arabia has been a major center for al Qaeda recruitment for years. The Sheikh’s comments reflect this unpleasant truth.
It is a great irony that a nation that has spent billions for the propagation of Islam around the world has spawned this terrorist response as an outgrowth of its efforts. Worse yet for them, the jihadists want to overthrow the Royal family.
While the U.S. predator drones circle lazily above the frontier areas of Pakistan, Osama bin Laden is morphing slowly into the Che Guevera of the Islamist movement; more symbol than active participant.
Bin Laden is frequently said to be dead, but when one of our drones finds him, he will join the growing list of others who have been delivered to paradise with an assist from a guided missile or two.
We can take comfort in knowing that terrorists tend to rapidly wear out their welcome. Iraq is a perfect example of that. Those who continue to insist it was a mistake to go there and kill jihadists have been proven wrong. Unfortunately, one of them is running for President.
The fact is, we have neither heard, nor seen much from Bin Laden. As Martha Stewart would say, “That’s a good thing.”
"The squeeky wheel gets the greese" This is not bad as I lubricate a wheel or two out of politness and kind consideration.
ReplyDeleteLike any good thing it can become a very bad thing if taken to an extreme.
In todays society every miserable person gets to be the "expert" in my observation and the often times irational emotions driving their misery is given higher priority than the principled people who are emotionaly healthy and of sound judgment.
Do you feel also that because misery is rewarded it becomes hard to see the merit of being principled and of rational emotion?
Way too big a question for me, Justin.
ReplyDeleteAnd what does it have to do with bin Laden?
For what it's worth, I disagree with your premise. I don't see many rewards for misery. Merit is still the key to success. After that, common sense and courtesy have taken a lot of people a long way toward success.
Oh I apologize....
ReplyDeleteYour article got me thinking of this observation because instead of american society rallying against terror ideology and standing up to it I get the feeling they treat terrorist like a squeeky wheel the rest of us have to bow down too.
That the rational principles that built western societies are whats at fault and need to be altered to accomidate the irrational misery of radical groups.
You have observed humanity longer than I and are much wiser than myself. I do enjoy your work and thank you for time with my inquiries.
I see your opinions as very valid, and will endeavor to keep my questions more to the point and not so generally puffed up.
my apologies sir
Justin, you need not apologise. And I am not the fountain of all wisdom and knowledge...that's why I took a pass on trying to answer your question.
ReplyDeleteDon't feel you can't ask what you want. If I don't know the answer, I will be the first to tell you!