Islam does not give up
Posted: December 01, 2008
1:00 am Eastern
© 2008
By Barbara Simpson
It's ironic that in the midst of the latest terrorist bloodbath in India, we, in the United States, celebrated Thanksgiving. In fact, the horrific events in Mumbai made me even more thankful to be an American.
It's not that we're immune to vicious, devastating terrorist acts carried out against us simply because we're a free, non-Islamic country. We're not immune, and there are dead bodies to prove it.
Sept. 11 and the first World Trade Center attack are just two examples of anti-American Islamic terrorism. Officials consistently warn that without diligent and continuing vigilance, they won't be the last. Americans anywhere in the world – from tourists to businesses to the military – are constant terrorist targets.
Despite disparagers of President George Bush, he has kept our 50 states free of terrorist attacks since Sept. 11. Like him or not, that cannot be denied. Yet as a result of surveillance and good use of intelligence, Americans are complacent about our "safety." We ignore the constant threats against us by people so determined to topple this country that they're willing to commit suicide in the process.
The series of swift attacks included deadly assaults on the main train station, two elegant hotels, restaurants, cafés, a police station, movie theatre, hospital and anything else that got within gun range.
The terrorists deliberately attacked Chabad House, a Jewish Community Center, and killed everyone they found. Those victims were shot in the head, and at least two bodies were tied with phone cord. Among the dead were American Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka. She was held hostage before she was killed.
Their 1-year old son survived because an employee of the center escaped with him just as the shooting began. The grim search for bodies buried in the wreckage continues.
Of the 10 known terrorists who carried out the attack, all were killed except one. There are suspicions there were as many as 20 to 40 people involved. The tactics these murderers used were clearly planned far in advance and carried out with almost military precision – leading intelligence officials to conclude they had military training and guidance. Britain's MI5 is investigating whether some former special forces may have converted to Islam and to terrorism as well.
While terrorists devastated Mumbai, Americans ate, drank and made merry on Thanksgiving and maybe watched some news coverage on TV. How many thanked God for our good fortune in being American, and safe, isn't known.
As hundreds were murdered, thousands of Americans got up r-e-a l-l-y early the next day to hit the stores for the big sales. You'd never know we're in a recession with savings devastated, home foreclosures rampant and jobs disappearing.
It was a madhouse of greed and affluence gone amok – resulting the trampling death of a Wal-Mart temporary employee on Long Island. They don't even know who tromped the man or what terrific sale items were so tempting.
With our freedom, we're so fortunate – yet so avaricious and crass. I often wonder if we deserve our blessings in the midst of the terrorism and threats around us.
And around us they are – and the intent to take us down, one way or another, is still on their agenda. It will be a test of the Obama administration as to whether the new president can keep us as safe as we have been these last seven years.
With George Bush, terrorists knew that an attack on us would be met with a counter punch.
With Obama – well, we don't know.
He's the man who said he'd "talk" with enemies without preconditions.
He's the man who intends to downsize the military, cut its budget and end research and development of anti-missile technology.
Concerned Americans wonder if that smacks of sending unarmed police on the streets or defenseless soldiers to the front lines.
Barack Obama has sounded like a "flower-child" seeing the world through rose-colored glasses and seeing no evil in anyone. I hope he straightens out before more Americans have to die – here or overseas.
What we do know is that militant Islam does not give up
While militant Islam has no compunction about attacking Americans around the world, for them the greatest coup would be an attack on a U.S. city, similar to the plot carried out last week in India.
It's reported that those terrorists intended their attack to be India's "9/11" and hoped to kill 5,000 people.
They didn't, but each death in Mumbai is a tragedy for each family and their country. The victims include citizens of India, the U.S., Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Japan, Australia and others. In fact, the killers deliberately targeted Americans, British and Israelis.
The final death toll isn't complete, but as I write this, it's reported 200 are dead, including 6 Americans and at least 20 police and soldiers. There are piles of bodies still being identified. More than 300 people are injured.
At the same time, in Claremont, Calif., the school board ordered two kindergarten classes not to wear Pilgrim and Indian costumes made of construction paper for their annual Thanksgiving celebration. It seems one parent was "offended" and called the party costumes "racist." It's certainly reassuring they have their priorities in order. Claremont must be so proud.
The series of swift attacks included deadly assaults on the main train station, two elegant hotels, restaurants, cafés, a police station, movie theatre, hospital and anything else that got within gun range.
The terrorists deliberately attacked Chabad House, a Jewish Community Center, and killed everyone they found. Those victims were shot in the head, and at least two bodies were tied with phone cord. Among the dead were American Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka. She was held hostage before she was killed.
Their 1-year old son survived because an employee of the center escaped with him just as the shooting began. The grim search for bodies buried in the wreckage continues.
Of the 10 known terrorists who carried out the attack, all were killed except one. There are suspicions there were as many as 20 to 40 people involved. The tactics these murderers used were clearly planned far in advance and carried out with almost military precision – leading intelligence officials to conclude they had military training and guidance. Britain's MI5 is investigating whether some former special forces may have converted to Islam and to terrorism as well.
While terrorists devastated Mumbai, Americans ate, drank and made merry on Thanksgiving and maybe watched some news coverage on TV. How many thanked God for our good fortune in being American, and safe, isn't known.
As hundreds were murdered, thousands of Americans got up r-e-a l-l-y early the next day to hit the stores for the big sales. You'd never know we're in a recession with savings devastated, home foreclosures rampant and jobs disappearing.
It was a madhouse of greed and affluence gone amok – resulting the trampling death of a Wal-Mart temporary employee on Long Island. They don't even know who tromped the man or what terrific sale items were so tempting.
With our freedom, we're so fortunate – yet so avaricious and crass. I often wonder if we deserve our blessings in the midst of the terrorism and threats around us.
And around us they are – and the intent to take us down, one way or another, is still on their agenda. It will be a test of the Obama administration as to whether the new president can keep us as safe as we have been these last seven years.
With George Bush, terrorists knew that an attack on us would be met with a counter punch.
With Obama – well, we don't know.
He's the man who said he'd "talk" with enemies without preconditions.
He's the man who intends to downsize the military, cut its budget and end research and development of anti-missile technology.
Concerned Americans wonder if that smacks of sending unarmed police on the streets or defenseless soldiers to the front lines.
Barack Obama has sounded like a "flower-child" seeing the world through rose-colored glasses and seeing no evil in anyone. I hope he straightens out before more Americans have to die – here or overseas.
What we do know is that militant Islam does not give up.
The question is, will we?
Related offers:
Get "Why We Left Islam" now from the people who published it – WND Books.
Schmoozing with Terrorists
From Tyndale to Madison (Book)
Islam Rising (book)
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