WP: Arab response to bin Laden’s death muted

[SkinsHokieFan]

Some very very good news

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/war-zones/arab-response-to-bin-ladens-death-muted/2011/05/02/AF69WLcF_story.html


BEIRUT — A decade ago, the Middle East might have responded to the killing of Osama bin Laden with anti-U.S. fury. But with the region convulsed by mostly peaceful popular revolutions, the response to his death has been muted, another signal that the old Arab order is being swept away.

For this new generation, the young Tunisian who set himself on fire and ignited a revolution is a bigger hero than bin Laden, whose vision of martyrdom and jihad has been replaced by more prosaic aspirations such as free elections, good governance and an end to corruption.

“You will see protests for freedom and democracy, yes. But for Osama bin Laden? Definitely not,” said Mustafa Alani, director of the Security and Terrorism Studies Program at the Gulf Research Center in Dubai.

In the Arab world, he said, al-Qaeda was “already dying.”


“The timing of Osama bin Laden’s death has just been perfect,” said Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a professor of political science at Emirates University. “Osama was one of the leaders — an inspiration to some — that were behind the misery, defeats and stagnation that the Arab world has been going through.”

Now, he said, “his death adds to the modern, moderate and democratic Arab world that is currently in the making. This new Middle East is in sharp contrast to those who defined it before this year of change. Osama was an important force, but this is his end.”


In Syria, the latest Arab country to be caught up in the turmoil, a student protester in the northern coastal town of Baniyas said people there were celebrating bin Laden’s death. “We are very happy that he was killed because he is a terrorist and we don’t like violence,” said the student, whose name is being withheld for his safety.

Link for rest

[Bang]

That's music.

Sweet music.

~Bang

[ixcuincle]

I saw some angry protesters on the news but other than a few seconds of that the reaction has been highly muted

Most of the reaction from the world is positive

[thebluefood]

That's so friggin' beautiful.

Hopefully, this means we can shut the book on this whole thing and send our guys and gals in uniform back home.

[The Brave Little Toaster Oven]

We are living in a great time full of history being made :)

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

The times they are a-changin'

[Metalhead]

This is the best news I've heard so far in regards to Bin Laden's death, even greater than America's response of fleeting patriotism.

This may be more valuable to the Middle East than we realize, which could very well prove to be a greater victory for all.

[bcl05]

The world is palpably changing for the better. Great stuff.

[Teller]

Syria??? Seriously??? WOW!!! :applause:

I look forward to the day when that young man's name won't have to be withheld "for his safety," but this sweeping change in the Middle East is drastic and legitimate.

Many Middle Eastern citizens, my favorite being Iran, are very pro-western ideas; if not fully pro-west. I wish for all peace-loving people in the region to see a day when wars are no longer fought there because of tyrannical idiots, or oil-hungry ones.

May the one God we all pray to richly bless them, and grant them peace and liberty.

[#98QBKiller]

Great article. Thanks for sharing SHF.

[stevenaa]

Great to hear. It truly is an amazing time in history. We've sufferred great loss in the last 10 years in that region. It would sure be nice to see a postive change. While the populace of those nations will drive the ultimate change, our presence has had an affect.

[GetWrecked]

This isn't shocking for those who understand the majority of people in those countries over there. They do not hate the west, that is a fact. The vast majority of people over there are respectful and great individuals. But you would never know, because when are those people allowed to have pro-west or pro-democracy demonstrations? The governments in a second turn their arms on their own people if they ask for freedom. I still to this day shake my head and cannot believe that there is still much anti-Arab and anti-Muslim views by Americans and many other Western members of society after that horrible day in September and how people can be shocked that those overseas are not happy that bin laden has finally bit the dust.

As your President mentioned last night, Osama Bin Laden has mass murdered millions of muslims as well, he was not a representation of that religion or way of life, but a representation of the extremists point of view. It's like watching that show Lockdown on National Geographic and seeing a child rapist/murderer reading the bible. Does that mean all Christians are like that? I may have gotten a little off topic but whatever. Just wanted to let that out, and no I am not accusing anyone in this thread of being prejudice or uneducated or what not. If it seems that way my sincerest apologies.

[Riggo-toni]

Zarqawi was extremely popular in Jordan...until his group hit targets within his own country. Frustrated by the difficulty of hitting US targets, Al Quaeda cells over the last several years have been striking against secular targets within their own countries which to an almost instantaneous evaporation of their popular support. Al Quaeda is no longer thought of as simply anti-crusader/imperialism/American, which were resonating themes on Arab streets. Now they're remembered for being the a-holes who bombed the local market or gov't office.

[bird_1972]

Arab Spring - possibly the most important event to happen to the region in the last 30 years.

We can only hope it results in real change but we must also be patient as long lasting, stable transformations always take a long time to come to fruition.

Who knows, the Tunsian who burned himself in protest could become a symbol for years to come, tragic as it was.

[jpyaks3]

Arab Spring - possibly the most important event to happen to the region in the last 30 years.

We can only hope it results in real change but we must also be patient as long lasting, stable transformations always take a long time to come to fruition.

Who knows, the Tunsian who burned himself in protest could become a symbol for years to come, tragic as it was.

I would say its the most important thing to happen to the region in a lot longer than 30 years. The Arab Spring has largely destroyed the way of thinking that was Bin Ladens bread and butter the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia killed Bin Laden and his ideology more than we ever could or can.

[JohnLockesGhost]

Some very very good news

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/war-zones/arab-response-to-bin-ladens-death-muted/2011/05/02/AF69WLcF_story.html



As Tip O'Neill said: All politics is local.

You sort of lose interest in gradiose global movements when the sewer is repeatedly backing up.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

As Tip O'Neill said: All politics is local.

You sort of lose interest in gradiose global movements when the sewer is repeatedly backing up.

There's a really cool scene in Malcolm X where Elijah Muhammad is teaching Malcolm how to preach. He has two glasses of whater. In one he pours ink, he explains that if you give someone a dirty glass of water, they will drink it if they are thirsty enough. But if you offer them a clean glass and the dirty glass, they will choose the clean glass.

It's possible that what is happening in the Middle East is an example of that. If you lived under these regimes and thought that the only option for "change" was the one offered by Al Qaeda, you would be sympathetic to that. If your choices are suddenly Al Qaeda on one side and Tahrir Square on the other, Tahrir Square is far more attractive. Even if the resultant government is not ideal from a Western perspective, the fact that you can institute a change without resorting to the nihilistic ideology of Bin Laden is remarkable.

[pjfootballer]

Many Middle Eastern citizens, my favorite being Iran, are very pro-western ideas; if not fully pro-west. I wish for all peace-loving people in the region to see a day when wars are no longer fought there because of tyrannical idiots, or oil-hungry ones.

With the internet, 24 hr news and such, some of these countries that were shut off from the western world because of lack of technology are finally seeing things in truth about the west that was not told to them before. They see everyone with cars, homes, etc. and peace in their lives and they want some of that.

[twa]

still a lot of work to do

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/05/egypts-muslim-brotherhood-sticks-with-bin-laden/238218/

The Muslim Brotherhood's response to bin Laden's death may finally end the mythology -- espoused frequently in the U.S. -- that the organization is moderate or, at the very least, could moderate once in power. This is, after all, precisely how Muslim Brothers describe their creed -- "moderate," as opposed to al-Qaeda, which is radical. "Moderate Islam means not using violence, denouncing terrorism, and not working with jihadists," said Muslim Brotherhood youth activist Khaled Hamza, for whom the organization's embrace of "moderate Islam" was the primary reason he joined.

Yet the Muslim Brotherhood's promise that its "moderation" means rejecting violence includes a gaping exception: the organization endorses violence against military occupations, which its leaders have told me include Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Bosnia, and Palestine -- in other words, nearly every major conflict on the Eurasian continent. "I never fought in Afghanistan," Mehdi Akef, the former Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, told me in January, just before the revolt. "But I encouraged them and sent money to Bosnia and Palestine until now." Muslim Brotherhood leaders have endorsed attacks on Israeli civilians as an exception to their no-violence-except-against-occupation exception, viewing all of Israel as an occupation. "Zionism is gangs," said Akef. "It's not a country. So we will resist them until they don't have a country."

The attacks of September 11, 2001, however, created a real problem for the Muslim Brotherhood's paradigms, since it was a violent attack against civilians on territory that could not be considered occupied. Rather than denounce the attacks, however, the organization chose to argue, outrageously, that Islamists were not responsible.

[Mickalino]

With the internet, 24 hr news and such, some of these countries that were shut off from the western world because of lack of technology are finally seeing things in truth about the west that was not told to them before. They see everyone with cars, homes, etc. and peace in their lives and they want some of that.

They want 5 bucks a gallon for gas ? :silly:

[jpyaks3]

still a lot of work to do

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/05/egypts-muslim-brotherhood-sticks-with-bin-laden/238218/

The Muslim Brotherhood's response to bin Laden's death may finally end the mythology -- espoused frequently in the U.S. -- that the organization is moderate or, at the very least, could moderate once in power. This is, after all, precisely how Muslim Brothers describe their creed -- "moderate," as opposed to al-Qaeda, which is radical. "Moderate Islam means not using violence, denouncing terrorism, and not working with jihadists," said Muslim Brotherhood youth activist Khaled Hamza, for whom the organization's embrace of "moderate Islam" was the primary reason he joined.

Yet the Muslim Brotherhood's promise that its "moderation" means rejecting violence includes a gaping exception: the organization endorses violence against military occupations, which its leaders have told me include Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Bosnia, and Palestine -- in other words, nearly every major conflict on the Eurasian continent. "I never fought in Afghanistan," Mehdi Akef, the former Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, told me in January, just before the revolt. "But I encouraged them and sent money to Bosnia and Palestine until now." Muslim Brotherhood leaders have endorsed attacks on Israeli civilians as an exception to their no-violence-except-against-occupation exception, viewing all of Israel as an occupation. "Zionism is gangs," said Akef. "It's not a country. So we will resist them until they don't have a country."

The attacks of September 11, 2001, however, created a real problem for the Muslim Brotherhood's paradigms, since it was a violent attack against civilians on territory that could not be considered occupied. Rather than denounce the attacks, however, the organization chose to argue, outrageously, that Islamists were not responsible.

Uh that last part of the the article you quotes is bull****


Muslim Brotherhood, an opposition Islamist group in Egypt, said it was "horrified" by the attack and expressed "condolences and sadness":
"[We] strongly condemn such activities that are against all humanist and Islamic morals. ... [We] condemn and oppose all aggression on human life, freedom and dignity anywhere in the world."
Al-Ahram Weekly Online, 13 - 19 September 2001, http://web.archive.org/web/20010915023839/http://www.ahram.org.eg/weekly/2001/551/fo2.htm

http://www.unc.edu/~kurzman/terror.htm

If he can't even get the Muslim Brotherhoods response to September 11th even close to correct how can we expect a fair article from him.

EDIT: Also the Muslim Brotherhood simply reiterated that they were against violence in all forms with their statement on Bin Ladens death. This article is devoid of quotes because he needs to misinterpret and misrepresent them to make his point.

[greenspandan]

still a lot of work to do

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/05/egypts-muslim-brotherhood-sticks-with-bin-laden/238218/

The Muslim Brotherhood's response to bin Laden's death may finally end the mythology -- espoused frequently in the U.S. -- that the organization is moderate or, at the very least, could moderate once in power. This is, after all, precisely how Muslim Brothers describe their creed -- "moderate," as opposed to al-Qaeda, which is radical. "Moderate Islam means not using violence, denouncing terrorism, and not working with jihadists," said Muslim Brotherhood youth activist Khaled Hamza, for whom the organization's embrace of "moderate Islam" was the primary reason he joined.

Yet the Muslim Brotherhood's promise that its "moderation" means rejecting violence includes a gaping exception: the organization endorses violence against military occupations, which its leaders have told me include Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Bosnia, and Palestine -- in other words, nearly every major conflict on the Eurasian continent. "I never fought in Afghanistan," Mehdi Akef, the former Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, told me in January, just before the revolt. "But I encouraged them and sent money to Bosnia and Palestine until now." Muslim Brotherhood leaders have endorsed attacks on Israeli civilians as an exception to their no-violence-except-against-occupation exception, viewing all of Israel as an occupation. "Zionism is gangs," said Akef. "It's not a country. So we will resist them until they don't have a country."

The attacks of September 11, 2001, however, created a real problem for the Muslim Brotherhood's paradigms, since it was a violent attack against civilians on territory that could not be considered occupied. Rather than denounce the attacks, however, the organization chose to argue, outrageously, that Islamists were not responsible.

i don't know anything about the Muslim Brotherhood, and this article seemed intent on keeping it that way. all i learned is that this guy doesn't like muslims.

[Thiebear]

Zarqawi was extremely popular in Jordan...until his group hit targets within his own country. Frustrated by the difficulty of hitting US targets, Al Quaeda cells over the last several years have been striking against secular targets within their own countries which to an almost instantaneous evaporation of their popular support. Al Quaeda is no longer thought of as simply anti-crusader/imperialism/American, which were resonating themes on Arab streets. Now they're remembered for being the a-holes who bombed the local market or gov't office.

I believe this is the 65% major factor: but you also have to add in whats been seen due to the internet:
US saves Kosovo and Bosnia and Kuwait and protects the north of Saudi Arabia.
US blows Iraq away in just a couple days but then gives it back to a mixed Congress (maybe they did just want to stop the Hussein family).
Afghanistan is going the same route with people seeing our boys and girls out there are not monsters.
Our military forces are seen to help more often than not even more than their home countries police.
Egypt, Libya started shouting in the streets for the US to get involved...

the regular people seem to understand.

[twa]

i don't know anything about the Muslim Brotherhood, and this article seemed intent on keeping it that way. all i learned is that this guy doesn't like muslims.

I can give ya more by others if ya wish...when there is a disconnect between what is said to the Arab audiences and the English ones it tends to raise doubts...but then the Brotherhood is a very diverse group.

I look forward to them allaying any doubts by word and deed.

meanwhile there are other unequivocal supporters of Osama to look at

[MattFancy]

Its weird how much has changed in the ME in the last few years, hell even months.

[twa]

An imam from the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem vowed to take revenge over "the western dogs" for killing Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan on Sunday.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4064183,00.html


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/03/world/middleeast/03gaza.html
Hamas Condemns the Killing of Bin Laden
By FARES AKRAM


GAZA — Hamas officials here condemned on Monday the American operation that killed Osama Bin Laden, with Ismail Haniya, the leader of the Hamas government, calling it a “continuation of the United States policy of destruction.”


Or if ya prefer the more 'moderate ' fatah

The following is the text of the statement by Fatah's Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades:

"The [military wing of Fatah] Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades announced the death of Sheikh Osama bin Laden (Abu Abdallah), and said that if bin Laden had indeed died as a Shahid (Martyr), this would not deter the resistance fighters from the path of Jihad against injustice, oppression and occupation in the world.

In their announcement, a copy of which reached MAAN [private Palestinian news agency], the [Al-Aqsa Martyrs'] Brigades said: 'The Islamic nation awoke to a catastrophe the reports of the Shahid - (Martyr-) death of the Sheikh, Jihad-fighter Osama bin Laden, in a treacherous manner, by the gangs of the heretics and those who stray.'

They continued: 'The path irrigated with the blood of its leaders is the path of victory, Allah willing. If Abu Abdallah [Bin Laden] was killed, then he merited the Shahada (Death for Allah) which he had sought, and inscribed with his blood the landmarks of Jihad, leaving behind an entire generation that follows the path of Sheikh Osama.'

They said: 'The military wings of the Jihad fighters in Palestine and outside of it, who have in the past lost many of their commanders and their men, will not stop. This has only strengthened their determination, their resolve and their loyalty to their Shahids (Martyrs), who have turned their words into a reality testifying to their honesty, and which in fact bolsters the drive and the strength of their brothers on the path to victory or Shahdada (Death for Allah)'.

The announcement continued: 'We say to the American and Israeli occupier: the [Islamic] nation which produced leaders who changed the course of history through their Jihad and their endurance, is a nation that is capable of supplying an abundance of new blood into the arteries of the resistance and is capable of restoring the glory of Islam and the flag of Allahs oneness, Allah willing.'"
http://palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&doc_id=4972

[jpyaks3]

An imam from the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem vowed to take revenge over "the western dogs" for killing Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan on Sunday.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4064183,00.html


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/03/world/middleeast/03gaza.html
Hamas Condemns the Killing of Bin Laden
By FARES AKRAM


GAZA — Hamas officials here condemned on Monday the American operation that killed Osama Bin Laden, with Ismail Haniya, the leader of the Hamas government, calling it a “continuation of the United States policy of destruction.”


Or if ya prefer the more 'moderate ' fatah

The following is the text of the statement by Fatah's Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades:

"The [military wing of Fatah] Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades announced the death of Sheikh Osama bin Laden (Abu Abdallah), and said that if bin Laden had indeed died as a Shahid (Martyr), this would not deter the resistance fighters from the path of Jihad against injustice, oppression and occupation in the world.

In their announcement, a copy of which reached MAAN [private Palestinian news agency], the [Al-Aqsa Martyrs'] Brigades said: 'The Islamic nation awoke to a catastrophe the reports of the Shahid - (Martyr-) death of the Sheikh, Jihad-fighter Osama bin Laden, in a treacherous manner, by the gangs of the heretics and those who stray.'

They continued: 'The path irrigated with the blood of its leaders is the path of victory, Allah willing. If Abu Abdallah [Bin Laden] was killed, then he merited the Shahada (Death for Allah) which he had sought, and inscribed with his blood the landmarks of Jihad, leaving behind an entire generation that follows the path of Sheikh Osama.'

They said: 'The military wings of the Jihad fighters in Palestine and outside of it, who have in the past lost many of their commanders and their men, will not stop. This has only strengthened their determination, their resolve and their loyalty to their Shahids (Martyrs), who have turned their words into a reality testifying to their honesty, and which in fact bolsters the drive and the strength of their brothers on the path to victory or Shahdada (Death for Allah)'.

The announcement continued: 'We say to the American and Israeli occupier: the [Islamic] nation which produced leaders who changed the course of history through their Jihad and their endurance, is a nation that is capable of supplying an abundance of new blood into the arteries of the resistance and is capable of restoring the glory of Islam and the flag of Allahs oneness, Allah willing.'"
http://palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&doc_id=4972

Well Hamas said that we should have captured and tried him. Partial quotes or no quotes are a pretty poor way of doing things as that other article proved.

Also are you sure that is the official position of Al Aqsa there are some questions about that. http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/05/now-an-armed-wing-of-fatah-decries-bin-ladens-death/238262/

Also would like to see another source other than PalWatch along with MEMRI has had a very poor record of honest translations. But the fact that most of the major and minor players are speaking out against violence and without support for Bin Laden is a good sign.

Although I don't doubt that some will be in an uproar about Bin Ladens death I think you have to search a hell of a lot harder for the stragglers than you would have just a few months before. Hell even al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya is asking Al Qaeda to renounce violence. I think we have seen a major shift from the revolutions and hopefully they will continue, the reaction to Bin Ladens death is just another nail in the coffin of his ideology.

Another good sign is all the Egyptian Dailies that I saw headlined with things along the lines of "Finally a world without Bin Laden".

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

Its weird how much has changed in the ME in the last few years, hell even months.

I know I'm turning into a huge apologist for Obama, but a whole lot of fascinating stuff has happened since his speech in Cairo in '09.

I'm sure the Neocons will take credit for all this, but we invaded Iraq and there were no ripples in the Middle East for 7 years.

[Thiebear]

I know I'm turning into a huge apologist for Obama, but a whole lot of fascinating stuff has happened since his speech in Cairo in '09.

I'm sure the Neocons will take credit for all this, but we invaded Iraq and there were no ripples in the Middle East for 7 years.

Whats the difference between Libya and Bosnia?
Our nationhelping has been going on for decades, and it takes decades to turn around decades.

[Switchgear]

I know I'm turning into a huge apologist for Obama, but a whole lot of fascinating stuff has happened since his speech in Cairo in '09.

I'm sure the Neocons will take credit for all this, but we invaded Iraq and there were no ripples in the Middle East for 7 years.

Turning into?

So what does it feel l like to be part of the establishment now?

[twa]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ml_bin_laden_quiet_muslims;_ylt=AmcHzQjVliXLfxYoyu vbcuIXIr0F;_ylu=X3oDMTNlaXE5MTFuBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMT EwNTA1L21sX2Jpbl9sYWRlbl9xdWlldF9tdXNsaW1zBGNjb2Rl A21wX2VjXzhfMTAEY3BvcwMyBHBvcwMyBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3 RvcmllcwRzbGsDaXNsYW1pY3dvcmxk

Ismail Haniyeh, the prime minister of Hamas-controlled Gaza, portrayed bin Laden as the victim of a state-sponsored "terrorist act."
"We disagree with the vision of holy warrior Osama bin Laden, but we condemn this terrorist act," Haniyeh told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "What the U.S. did is not a heroic action, but a targeted killing. ... To pursue and kill him in Pakistan, which is Muslim land, means for us a further intervention in the land of Islam."

If you police your own crazies(and not provide sanctuary) intervention is not needed

Peace comes with a price

[Switchgear]

link (http://www.wtop.com/?nid=220&sid=2368001)

http://media.bonnint.net/apimage/bb995f32-13be-456b-ad19-e70457e2a37f.jpg?filter=wtop_article

Activists of a local social group Muthahida Shehri Mahaz burn representation of a U. S. flag during a rally to condemn the killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, during a demonstration in Multan, Pakistan, on Friday, May 6, 2011. Osama bin Laden was killed by a helicopter-borne U.S. military force on Monday, in a fortress-like compound on the outskirts of Pakistani city Abbottabad. (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

[Predicto]

Contrary to what twa's article is telling us, as I understand it the Muslim Brotherhood has been actively advocating non-violence for years now, so much so that the more radical elements are getting seriously sick of them.

I admit that I'm no expert, and I get that impression mostly from reading the Economist and skimming the CFR Daily Opinion Roundup now and then.

[visionary]

I'm sure the Neocons will take credit for all this, but we invaded Iraq and there were no ripples in the Middle East for 7 years.

That's not quite true. There were some democratic reform ripples in Kuwait and other places in the Middle East, (Egypt had their first presidential election, although it was pretty much a sham.) Iran had a pretty big ripple that eventually didn't amount to much at home, but helped inspire the others later, and of course Gaddafi gave up his nuke program. This isn't an excuse for every little thing we did during that time...just saying there were some positive ripples as well as the obvious bad ones.

[artmonkforHOF]

I don't know if a "muted response" is necessarily a good thing. Why would any of his supports go out in the streets and protest as it would identify them as being supporters? With the US going into Pakistan without warning, I bet other Al Qaeda members are fearful of similar type of surprise attack.

Remember this organization plotted some major crimes with no one knowing about it, so why would we hear of Al Qaeda's new plans, if they have any, now? I think any Al Qaeda supporter is plotting some sort of revenge, the only question is, do they have enough resources left to pull something off?

[twa]

Contrary to what twa's article is telling us, as I understand it the Muslim Brotherhood has been actively advocating non-violence for years now, so much so that the more radical elements are getting seriously sick of them.

I admit that I'm no expert, and I get that impression mostly from reading the Economist and skimming the CFR Daily Opinion Roundup now and then.

No ,you certainly are no expert.

Find one and ask what violence they support or not....or listen to what their leaders say to Arab audiences
Might be a nice break from your Freeper fetish :pfft:

[oisn1]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ml_bin_laden_quiet_muslims;_ylt=AmcHzQjVliXLfxYoyu vbcuIXIr0F;_ylu=X3oDMTNlaXE5MTFuBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMT EwNTA1L21sX2Jpbl9sYWRlbl9xdWlldF9tdXNsaW1zBGNjb2Rl A21wX2VjXzhfMTAEY3BvcwMyBHBvcwMyBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3 RvcmllcwRzbGsDaXNsYW1pY3dvcmxk

Ismail Haniyeh, the prime minister of Hamas-controlled Gaza, portrayed bin Laden as the victim of a state-sponsored "terrorist act."
"We disagree with the vision of holy warrior Osama bin Laden, but we condemn this terrorist act," Haniyeh told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "What the U.S. did is not a heroic action, but a targeted killing. ... To pursue and kill him in Pakistan, which is Muslim land, means for us a further intervention in the land of Islam."

If you police your own crazies(and not provide sanctuary) intervention is not needed

Peace comes with a price

It's like you didn't even read the quote that you pasted. They disagree with bin Laden's vision but condemn his killing. Again read the freaking quote. They aren't supporting him, they just don't like that we rolled into a country and killed him. Even Americans would get angry about the Chinese carrying out targeted killings in our land. Either way, the entire article is talking about how public support for bin Laden in the Middle East had evaporated long before his death. Seriously, read the article next time.

In general, I don't really understand what you and Switchgear are even posting. Of course radicals are supporting Osama; he was their idol. Hell, Westboro Church was cheering for the death of American soldiers. The article that Switchgear links says "Hundreds of members of radical Islamic parties protested in several Pakistani cities Friday against the U.S. raid that killed bin Laden." There are probably a couple thousand Americans that believe 9/11 was an inside job. Radicals are radicals. The important fact is that we aren't seeing huge protests in Cairo or Mecca. Millions aren't on the street, mourning bin Laden. The general populace of the Middle East has changed from a decade or two ago; they have long since abandoned bin Laden.

I'm sure you'll try to post some more quotes from terrorist leaders saying they support Osama as if that is supposed to be surprising (by the way, you still haven't even done that). The rest of us will just ignore your obvious bias and celebrate the growing change in the Middle East.

[Predicto]

No ,you certainly are no expert.

Find one and ask what violence they support or not....or listen to what their leaders say to Arab audiences
Might be a nice break from your Freeper fetish :pfft:

I may not be an expert, but I know enough not to think that I'm going to get a balanced view by reading Pam Gellar.

I'm no supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood - they envision a return to a mythical Islamic Caliphate and an imposition of sharia law on the entire Middle East. Nevertheless, most of the articles and sources you have cited about them over the years, frankly suck eggs.

[Switchgear]

In general, I don't really understand what you and Switchgear are even posting. Of course radicals are supporting Osama; he was their idol. Hell, Westboro Church was cheering for the death of American soldiers. The article that Switchgear links says "Hundreds of members of radical Islamic parties protested in several Pakistani cities Friday against the U.S. raid that killed bin Laden." There are probably a couple thousand Americans that believe 9/11 was an inside job. Radicals are radicals. The important fact is that we aren't seeing huge protests in Cairo or Mecca. Millions aren't on the street, mourning bin Laden. The general populace of the Middle East has changed from a decade or two ago; they have long since abandoned bin Laden.


I guess you're thinking I'm trying to stir up fear of Muslim's or something. That wasn't my intent, I was just showing that the Arab response isn't quite as muted as reported. Friday is traditionally the day for mourning and protests, if I understand correctly, so characterizing the response before today was premature.

I'm happy as can be that, as you pointed out, there aren't millions in the streets in the ME. But that doesn't mean it's off limits to point out that there are in fact some Osama supporters left.

I can't speak for other Americans, but if there were a terrorist living in America that had killed thousands of Chinese citizens, and China did what we just did in Pakistan (fly in, kill the guy and a few associates, take the body and leave) I would have no problem with it. I'd consider it a favor, in fact.

[twa]

It's like you didn't even read the quote that you pasted.

I'm sure you'll try to post some more quotes from terrorist leaders saying they support Osama as if that is supposed to be surprising (by the way, you still haven't even done that). The rest of us will just ignore your obvious bias and celebrate the growing change in the Middle East.

My bias?? :ols:
Ignore away,there's even a button for it,however I don't ignore trouble no matter it's faith or sheep

If they don't want the US interfering in the land of Islam they need to police their crazies.
Since you missed that I will repeat it.

[Rdskns2000]

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/245148/

Well, looks like some people are supporting him.

[twa]

and a few more
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//110506/ids_photos_wl/r920232260.jpg/

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20110506/i/r1313260188.jpg?x=400&y=258&q=85&sig=BEQyR5IskphtvYWCHf15.Q--

But yes,it could be worse

[jpyaks3]

No ,you certainly are no expert.

Find one and ask what violence they support or not....or listen to what their leaders say to Arab audiences
Might be a nice break from your Freeper fetish :pfft:

Do you want to support your position at all? Every real scholar in the region recognizes and will tell you that they have denounced violence and are not a violent organization. But according to you we shouldn't believe this because they say different things to their Arab audiences but you also haven't shown any proof of this at all?

EDIT: Do you speak Arabic?