News-Record.com

"No more blood for oil."

Come, now. Don't be ridiculous. They're not fighting for oil. They're fighting so that oil will be sold for dollars instead of euros.

How about this for a book title:

"When Half Baked Ideas go Tragically Wrong"

"There is no mention of the U.S. government, the intended subject of UNC-Chapel Hill graduate Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar's violent act."

Ok I see, if you want to attack the US govt., you run over and try to kill some college students on a campus. That's logical. Is the writer trying to justify this act? Sounds like it to me. With this stupid sentence alone the LTE loses credibility. Rest is the typical rant and then the closing sentence, boooriiing.

What's next, someone who will say we should ban SUVs so potential terrorists can't mow down college students and other pedestrians?

(yawn)

Is this our weekly "rant" letter on this subject, or is it exempt because it is a "Counterpoint" column?

(yawn)

Is this our weekly "Blame America" rant, or is it exempt from the quota because it is a "Counterpoint" column?

I have opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning, but I can't comprehend someone from an organization for "peace" justifying the terrorist action of the SUV driver at UNC. No matter how much one disagrees with other's political views, there will never exist justification to mow down innocent people with a vehicle. That concept should be apparent to anyone, but particularly to someone whose group gathers on the corner of two streets in Greensboro. The letter writer hurts his cause far more than he helps.

And, let me add, that the "Bring the troops home now" campaign seems overly simplistic to me. Like it or not, the U.S. has created a situation in Iraq with no simple solutions. Even though I opposed this war, I know enough to understand that a bring-our-troops-home-now approach could result in even a larger mess leaving large groups open to sectarian violence and slaughter. To simply pack up and move out could be a bigger moral failure than going there in the first place.

I find the entire tone of the letter offensive.

If a semi mows down the afternoon vigil on Eugene and Friendly, guess they'll say the News and Record was the intended subject.

What is the LTE address, maybe I'll drive thru his lawn. Nothing will justify the actions of the "terrorist" that drove into those students.

Is this guy really attempting to justify the act of mowing down pedestirans with a motor vehicle? Where do you start with someone like that? All I can say is your towel is wrapped way too tight if you think there is any justification for what happened ont he UNC-CH campus. But just for grins and giggles, let's go ahead and dispel the "bush lied" myth one more time...

From investors.com, posted yesterday:

The War On Terror: The government is finally getting around to unloading some of Saddam Hussein's secret documents. A look at just a few pages already leads to some blockbuster revelations.

In the early stages of the war that began three years ago, the U.S. captured thousands of documents from Saddam and his spy agency, the Mukhabarat. It's been widely thought the documents could shed light on why Saddam behaved as he did and how much of a threat his evil regime represented.

Yet, until this week, the documents lay molding in boxes in a government warehouse. Now the first batch is out, and though few in number, they're loaded with information.

Among the enduring myths of those who oppose the war is that Saddam, though murderous when it came to his own people, had no weapons of mass destruction and no terrorist designs outside his own country. Both claims now lie in tatters.

As we've reported several times, a number of former top military officials in Saddam's regime have come forward to admit that, yes, Saddam had WMD, hid them and shipped them out of the country so they couldn't be detected. And he had plans to make more.

Now come more revelations that leave little doubt about Saddam's terrorist intentions. Most intriguing from a document dump Wednesday night is a manual for Saddam's spy service, innocuously listed as CMPC-2003-006430. It makes for interesting reading.

Here, for instance, are the marching orders for Directorate 8, the Mukhabarat's "Technical Affairs" department: "The Eight Directorate is responsible for development of materials needed for covert offensive operations. It contains advanced laboratories for testing and production of weapons, poisons and explosives."

It goes on. Directorate 9, we discover, "is one of the most important directorates in the Mukhabarat. Most of its work is outside Iraq in coordination with other directorates, focusing on operations of sabotage and assassination."

The document also discusses the Mukhabarat's Office 16, set up to train "agents for clandestine operations abroad." The document helpfully adds that "special six-week courses in the use of of terror techniques are provided at a camp in Radwaniyhah."

Got that? Terror techniques.

Even as the media studiously avoid these new documents — just as they avoided 500 hours of Saddam's personal tapes showing his scheming on WMD — it's clear the U.S. did the right thing in invading Iraq and taking out a formative terrorist threat.

Saddam had close ties to al-Qaida. That's not just our opinion, but also that of the 9-11 Commission Report that so many in the media have selectively cited to bolster the case against the war.

As Chairman Thomas Kean said the day the report was released: "There was no question in our minds that there was a relationship between Iraq and al-Qaida."

As such, we were heartened to see that President Bush on Thursday reaffirmed the U.S. will continue to fight a pre-emptive war on terror — accompanied by news that the U.S. had launched Operation Swarmer, its largest anti-insurgent offensive since 2003.

Polls be damned — that's how a war is fought.

Countering the "Bush lied" garbage is probably not the way to try to make this guy see the light, but it is fun.

Ahhhhh.... such ranting.... from a person not even brave enough to sign his/her letter.

Nic,

I remember when the 9/11 commission report came out, Bush supporters scoffed at the conclusion the entire commission found no connection between Iraq and 9/11. Then when the Downing Street Memos were released, again Bush supporters wrote endlessly with skepticism. It was all a big misinterpertation of what was meant.

Now you present some "documents" that really say squat and declare "it is clear the US did the right thing by invading Iraq". Yeah, clear as mud.

You can put many spins on what you have presented as evidence. Frankly, I'd say you are a might premature in your assessment. It makes perfect sense to me that Saadam had WMD that could have been of grave danger to us yet he let the US destroy his country, kill his kids, destroy his wealth and position and capture him rather than use them. Even a total simpleton would have stopped the US if it was in their power to do so.

What country, including the US, does NOT test weapons, poisons and explosives? What country does not persue advanced war-fare technology, including the US? Does the US have a nuclear weapons program? You can bet your last dollar. Yet we are such hypocrits to tell other nations they must do as we say, not as we do.

Please do not think we are all so gullible as to buy the "evidence" you are peddling.

Richard, I am having a hard time not calling you an idiot, but you are an idiot (couldn't resist). Are you endorsing this mad action at UNC? What could the parents possibly tell their Christian and Jewish children? They had better be telling their kids how crazy and dangerous the followers of Islam are. Anyone that is in their right mind can see that the Islamic teachings are "death to the infidel". I hope that the citizens of this earth wake up and smash this cult as soon as possible.

Hillbilly, I just have to respond to this statement/question; "What could the parents possibly tell their Christian and Jewish children?"

The Christian parents SHOULD be telling their children:
"You know that you have been taught, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I tell you not to try to get even with a person who has done something to you. When someone slaps your right cheek, turn and let that person slap your other cheek. If someone sues you for your shirt, give up your coat as well. If a soldier forces you to carry his pack one mile, carry it two miles. When people ask you for something, give it to them. When they want to borrow money, lend it to them.

You have heard people say, "Love your neighbors and hate your enemies." But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for that? Even tax collectors love their friends. If you greet only your friends, what's so great about that? Don't even unbelievers do that? But you must always act like your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5.38-48 CEV)

If more Christians would follow the guidelines laid out in this most prominent section of the Christian scriptures, we would not have to worry about war, violence, etc.

Christians are not to be door mats, yet, we Christians (those who profess faith in Jesus the Christ) should be the most tolerant and loving people walking the face of the earth. Yet, the Christian community can have lain at its feet, the carniage and destruction of civilizations all because of revenge and aggressiveness.

Revenge and aggressiveness are NOT qualities that Jesus the Christ taught. The Gospel of Matthew chapters 5-7 give the most complete/comprehensive code of ethics that are needed. Yet, the Christians in the world, for the most part, fail to/refuse to believe and follow this code.

I forgive Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar. I do not know the man or his heart. Yet, I forgive him. For whatever reasons, he acted carelessly & dangerously. He harmed innocent people. Yet, I forgive him. Were I to hold anger and hostility toward him, then I would be the most miserable hypocrite. My relationship with God would not be clear. This unclear relationship with God comes when people hold anger & vengence in their hearts. Those are just two things that can interfere with one's relationship with God. Yet, God is faithful & just to forgive EACH person who will only ask!

I can only hope that Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar has asked God for forgiveness for his careless act of carnige against innocent people.

The God that I know can AND will speak to Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar. He only has to respond for God to act.

That is all it takes for ANYONE, to respond to God when God speaks. And the Christian God WILL NOT tell someone to intentionally harm another.

Shalom

Bunny, the guy's name is at the top of the letter.

Again, we all read the same material and see different thoughts. I do not see the LTE condoning the actions of the UNC graduate. I see a person who wants us to look at ourselves and see what we and the USA are doing at this time to cause this kind of behavior. I believe that we should do all that is in our power to live peacefully with all people.

I read blogs and letters which condemn all Muslims. I know that we have killed thousands of Iraqis who are Muslims. We are not demonstrating a religion of peace.

I agree with the person who wrote that he didn't seem intent on killing since he did not gun the SUV. What on earth he hoped to gain is beyond me. He has ruined his life for sure. He will probably spend the rest of his life in prison and has accomplished nothing except causing more hatred for Muslims. I would put him in the radical bracket. I do not in any way think his actions were justified.

Dan, there was nothing logical in his "statement". Just like the Oklahoma bombing. Innocent people suffer when evil people decide to "get the government".

Enjoyed your comments, Darryl. FYI, The BBQ and auction are tomorrow night. Hope to see you there.

Also, the N&R's title was misleading and seems to have been used to create controversy.

"Also, the N&R's title was misleading and seems to have been used to create controversy."

Go to Doug Clark's "Off the Record" blog. He discusses the headline.

Powerful words, Darryl. Thank you.

You go Darryl!

I was really happy to see that Howard Coble has made a stand. I am impressed. We all make mistakes and do things we wish we had not done. It takes a big person to admit a mistake and try to repair the damage. Back to being glad I voted for him.

It is good to see Coble is acting in the best interest of the people who voted for him. Some of the others could learn from his lead.

Great article! At first I thought it was wrong for that guy to mow down UNC students, but now I see that it was right. It was America's fault.

One thing about the incident still troubles me, though. The guy RENTED the SUV. I think if you're going to make a bold declaration of political protest, you should use your own car.

brian, no one...especially the LTE said it was OK for the guy to hit the students. It attempted to explain his thought (or lack of) process.

The message is this: All people need to learn to love and accept one another. Since we have not been able to "win" the war with the military, I would like to see us work on a peaceful solution.

Bubba, I read Doug's explanation. Must say I found it lame. Still think it was used to convey the wrong message of the LTE.

"Bubba, I read Doug's explanation. Must say I found it lame. Still think it was used to convey the wrong message of the LTE. "

I agree.

Aside to Darryl: Was that comment up to your standards?

(For those who wonder, I am now going to seek approval from either Darryl or Denizen for my posts, so as not to offend their delicate sensibilities.)

"I am now going to seek approval from either Darryl or Denizen for my posts, so as not to offend their delicate sensibilities."

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