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Gifts for all occasions in the Galleria! The "What is the Deal?" Deal-of-the-Week: Free Shipping on any $50 order August 21, 2005 Christmas for al-Qaeda By Jan A. Larson If the Islamic radicals of al-Qaeda celebrated the Christmas holiday, they would be opening their gifts right now. Bin Laden, al-Zawahiri, al-Zarqawi, etc. could not have dreamed that the United States would be playing into their hands such as we are. Many think that since the United States has not been attacked since September 11, 2001 that somehow we're winning the so-called war on terror(-ism). Readers that can remember American history prior to this morning's breakfast may recall that in the weeks and months after September 11, there was a sense of purpose and unity in the country not seen since World War II. That unity is now long gone. The nation is divided and the latest polls indicate that a majority of Americans think the war in Iraq, which is the central battleground in the war on terrorism, was a mistake. The leadership of al-Qaeda isn't stupid. Another large-scale attack on American soil would once again unite the country (maybe) and strengthen rapidly weakening American resolve. Letting Americans feel comfortable in their beds is exactly what the enemy in this war wants. Comfort lessens the urgency. It makes us believe that war is unnecessary. It diminishes the will of Americans to stay with the fight. Instead of launching new attacks, al-Qaeda would rather let the United States defeat itself and that is happening right before our eyes. The extreme left wing has been chanting, "War is not the answer" since the initial incursions into Iraq and now there are more joining the chorus, including conservative columnist Armstrong Williams. More and more Americans are tired of the war and want it to end. Winning or losing doesn't seem to matter to them. Just bring everyone home and we'll live happily ever after. Of course the mainstream media is helping the anti-war cause (and al-Qaeda) by giving voice to anti-war zealot Cindy Sheehan. Sheehan, despite the fact that she is a grieving mother, can only be categorized as a crackpot. If her claims of American imperialism were true, Germany and Japan would be the 51st and 52nd states today. If it were really all about oil, Kuwait would be the 53rd. Sheehan and her ilk can't think beyond the ends of their noses, but yet it seems more and more are willing to join them in their world of blissful ignorance. Howard Dean claims that Iraqi women would be better off if Saddam Hussein were still in power and others such as Ted Kennedy continue to beat the drum about an "Iraqi quagmire." Various others are calling for a timetable for a troop pullout. Repeat it often enough and more and more will believe it. We are fighting this war like it was a polo match and it is time to feed the horses. The opponent, however, is fighting it like it is a war and we had better wake up before it is too late to realize that this isn't a game. No one that I know wants war but there are times, and we are living in those times, when war is not only the answer, it is the only answer. If not for the resolve of the "greatest generation," our children would be goose-stepping to school and saluting the swastika. This generation does not have the same resolve. One can only imagine the wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth if the daily casualties in Iraq approached the number of Americans lost on D-Day, 1944. The radical Muslims that are leading the insurgency in Iraq know no rules. They do not fear death and many willingly sacrifice their own lives for their cause (although their leadership surely would not). Americans would prefer to bury their heads in the sand and wish the problem would simply go away so we can change the channel. This problem will not go away. It will go on and on and on and if the United States gives up on Iraq, there will be no second chance. The fledgling Iraqi government will collapse and radicals will seize control. Iran and Syria will be further emboldened in their support of terrorism and there will be nothing to dissuade attacks on U. S. soil or anywhere else in the West. I wonder if Cindy, Howard and Ted will change their minds about war if there is a mushroom cloud over Washington? It pains me as much as anyone else when I hear of American soldiers dying at the hands of bombers in Iraq. The pain would be far worse to hear of American citizens dying at the hands of bombers in Boise or Birmingham. Those that are against the war, such as Cindy Sheehan, have the right to speak out, but when they do, make no mistake; they are helping to ensure defeat in a war that cannot be lost. The President said that the war on terrorism would be long and costly. Her son paid the ultimate price, not just for the freedom of Iraqis, but also for the freedom of everyone that values freedom. Al-Qaeda and the radical Muslim terrorists would destroy everything that America is and stands for. I wonder when some Americans will come to realize that fact? Will they realize it only when it is too late? -- Send feedback to the author. The "What is the Deal?" column will appears weekly on the Pie of Knowledge website. Guest submissions are welcome and encouraged. To submit an article to "What is the Deal?" click here. To subscribe to the "What is the Deal?" mailing list and receive early notification when a new column is available, click here. The Pie of Knowledge will never, ever divulge email addresses to any third party for any reason unless so ordered by a court of law. Contributions to the Pie of Knowledge are greatly appreciated. 
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