A New War Brewing - The Assination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.

[Delroy]

Today Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, founder and spiritual leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, was killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza. To those who might not know the history on Ahmed Yassin click here.

This assignation was a bold step by Israel who called Yassin (who was a quadriplegic) a terrorist.

This assignation is bound to bring about new attacks on Israel to a level not see before because of the significants of Yassin to the Palestinian people and Arabs all over the world. The Hamas group who are mainly aggressive towards Israel has now declared war on America also.

I feel that this will be a good time for the Bahamas to began a national emergency plan to prepare for the times ahead. It is insane to believe that all things will be bright and beautiful in the coming months as the American stock market has already indicated that it is controlled by world events.

What do you think should be covered in a national emergency plan for the Bahamas.

[Vicky]

That is what happens when people believe their religious beliefs are fact and the only way. All others must come into line or be devalued as citizens, humans and probably killed.

Sound familiar?

[CG]

.......What do you think should be covered in a national emergency plan for the Bahamas.

Got me stumped there Delroy.

We have an Emergency program for Hurricanes. But at least Hurricanes give us a few days warning. A national program for Terrorist attacks would have to be a 24/7 operation.

If there was an attack (here or in the US) the tourists stop coming and this time it is a long time. If that happens we are in trouble because we have most of our eggs in the one tourist basket! We need to diversify as much as we can. I know that is happening, a bit, but we need more. I am glad to see that this government has an eye towards farming - at least that way we can eat!

P.S. Just had a thought. We need to take five (ten would be better) of the best and brightest of the Police, Marines, Firemen and Doctors. Send them away to England, or better yet to Israel to learn all they can, in their field, about Terrorism and Anti-Terrorism tactics and response. The sooner they go, the sooner they can come back - their brains full of knowledge - to set up a program here to train the rest of their colleagues so that we can be ready when, and if, the time comes.

[V.R.N]

I am deeply upset to learn about the slaying of Yassin. However, I am wondering what effect the events in Gaza will have on the pursuit of peace in the Middle East. I think that it is safe to assume that Yassin's death and the nature surrounding it will have a detrimental effect on Bush's Road Map for Peace in the Middle East. Further, Rantisi, the new elected leader of Hamas has promise catastrophic violence against Isreal.Hezbollah, an Islamic extremist group in Lebanon has also promise to step up attacks against Israel. Furthermore, the PM of Palestine, Queria has pledged to seek the assistance of the UN Security Council, in dealing with the matter.

Yassin was a man who was revered by many in the Arab world. It comes as no surprise that the leaders of Arab countries have voiced their disapproval of Sharon's actions. His actions defy international law and members of his government have expressed sentiments of disapproval. The U.S has also come under fire, as Arabs believe that Americans had a hand in the assassination of Yassin.

In short, the Middle East is the world's most instable region and that will not change over the next few months. I pray that God would help countries of the world to find peace and stability. May God save us all!

P.S- Do you think the U.S actions on Iraq, could have justified Israel's decision to kill Yassin?

Do you think President Bush's statements suggesting that the world "is safer today" is true?

Do you think the credibility of the UN has been jeopardize in anyway, because of the current wave of "taking matters into hands" approach by countries?

Should the UN impose sanctions against Israel?

[CG]

Hi V.R.N
Here is my 5c.

"Do you think the U.S actions on Iraq, could have justified Israel's decision to kill Yassin?"
I think it might have given them a feeling that it was OK to go ahead.

"Do you think President Bush's statements suggesting that the world "is safer today" is true?"
No, not yet. Maybe in the future but I think we are sinking into another "Dark Age."

"Do you think the credibility of the UN has been jeopardize in anyway, because of the current wave of "taking matters into hands" approach by countries?"
I think it has saved a few wars and many lives but when nation REALLY want to go to war nothing really can stop them.

"Should the UN impose sanctions against Israel?"
Perhaps, but will it? Even if it does the US along can keep Isreal going.

[Vicky]

I dont see the problem, he was the leader of a terrorist group, not an army.

Rory a terrorist group is an army Al quida and Hamas have declared war on the US.
You must take the time to understand what happened in the past to make these people hate the US and Israel so much.

Here is a short history for you. I hope I get it right there is much more but here goes.

The Arabs whipped Israel out not long after the fall of Rome. There was no country Israel after that. Now After WW2 the U.S. wanted some place to put the displaced Jew. So they chose the area that they felt Israel was. That was Palestine. So the US told the Palestinians that have been living in that part off the Middle East that this is now Israel. Every Palestinian was forced out. Homes, farms, entire neighborhoods that have been in place for generations. They were stolen from the Palestinian people and given to the Jews.
How would you feel if the US said get off of this land it belongs to these Indians just because there tribe once lived here. But your family owned this land they have owned worked and improved this land since the fall of the Roman Empire?
Also the Palestinian people were pushed on to the worst part of the land that was left. Then left to fend for them selves. These new Israelites controlled the land and people with the power of the US. They had nothing no home no food people were dying and no one cared. The other Arab nations knew they where no match for the US but tried to help anyway. Then the Russia moved into the picture. They tried not to just help the Arab Nations but wanted to rule and occupy them as well.
As Afghanistan rebelled against the Russians the US funded their war. The US gave Arab Nations weapons. The US gave Bin Ladin weapons and took care of the refugees as they fled war zones. So here are these 2 Nations at war using your country as a battleground. When Russia pulled out the war was over. The country (US) that called Afghanistan allies also pulled out. The Afghan people were left with destroyed farms cities and no government nothing.
So now you have people that have been displaced and used by the US. They are left with nothing but people. Would you fight back or give up and die. So now how do you fight when you have nothing? You have asked nicely you have demanded they do not hear you. So you strike hard, as many times as it takes, you use your enemy’s assets against them. You will not stop until you’re free and or they pay reparation for the damage they did.
Just put your self in their shoes watch your families die from hunger because you have no land to farm. See how quick you will strap on a bomb and go in the middle of these people that don’t care about you or your family see how your hate lets you pull the switch and bomb now they know the pain of losing loved ones to.

I am not saying its right just trying to help you understand the worrier you call a terrorist

[Delroy]

Got me stumped there Delroy.

We have an Emergency program for Hurricanes. But at least Hurricanes give us a few days warning. A national program for Terrorist attacks would have to be a 24/7 operation.

If there was an attack (here or in the US) the tourists stop coming and this time it is a long time. If that happens we are in trouble because we have most of our eggs in the one tourist basket! We need to diversify as much as we can. I know that is happening, a bit, but we need more. I am glad to see that this government has an eye towards farming - at least that way we can eat!

P.S. Just had a thought. We need to take five (ten would be better) of the best and brightest of the Police, Marines, Firemen and Doctors. Send them away to England, or better yet to Israel to learn all they can, in their field, about Terrorism and Anti-Terrorism tactics and response. The sooner they go, the sooner they can come back - their brains full of knowledge - to set up a program here to train the rest of their colleagues so that we can be ready when, and if, the time comes.

To tell you the truth CG, I think that the Bahamas is a perfect target for Terrorist. We need to develop a plan not just for prevention but aftershocks.

[Vicky]

they are not warriors, they are not military, they are murderers. they are not attacking only military targets, so they do not fall under the name of military. The past is the past, alot has happened to all of our ancestors in the past, but we do not go around blowing the other side up. They can declare all they want, but its not war, its murder, plain and simple.

Are you sayings bombs dropped from a planes don't fall on the innocent people. How innocent are the people whose farms, homes, and families are destroyed by these bombs. Just because the winner says the war is over does not make it over. It not over until all sides say it is over. HHHHmmm who were the murderers at Wounded Knee when the US army killed old men women and children while they were in a ceremony called the ghost dance. Who were the murders at Hiroshima and Nagasaki (with out warning)?? Who are the real terrorists?
You can't go into someone’s country make war with them and or your enemy and destroy the place as you see fit. Then you say they are terrorist because they fight back with what they have. You can't call destroying someone else’s country police action but when they fight back call it terrorism.

[YorickBrown]

And another thing, people that have this harsh judgment about the US, needs to think about it a little more, without the US, the Bahamas would have, nothing. Too many Bahamians are biting the hand that feeds it. Will we start producing our own foods, making our own cars, will we bring everything in from Asia? Nope. Once we have something of our own to survive on, then we can think about judging another countries policies. Until then, its simply suicide if the government ever follows through.

Another thing, its always the Bahamians that willingly go to the US to shop, visit, that are all crying about the US policies, yet they love the shopping, restaurants, etc etc etc. There is something american in everything you eat these days, even if you dont get off this rock.

As usual, you missed the point of the story ENTIRELY. The harsh judgements are not of the US as a country, but indeed the current US administration.

When you have leaders who manipulate things in such devious ways, people WILL notice. To put things in perspective for you, just look at the Clinton administration versus the Bush II administration: Both invaded Iraq, but Clinton did things in a more globally diplomatic manner.

Harsh foreign policies WILL get harsh judgement. Such a powerful nation needs to know when they are stepping on the toes of the rest of the world. The current US administration has been told over and over that they are guilty of this, but they still forge ahead. This is a HUGE problem - Especially when they open Pandora's box on their own accord (despite warnings not to) and then ask the very same countries whose warnings they ignored to help them close it.

The steps that were taken to eradicate terrorism have backfired. Now all we can do is wonder when proper leadership will emerge from the US to begin to nullify the backward trend that the entire globe has taken over the past few years.

Get it right. The US is a fantastic country, but its current administration has made the rest of the world question this opinion greatly.

[YorickBrown]

The Clinton government did not do the job obviously, 9/11 ring any bells.

You have to fight fire with fire, and that is what the Bush Government has and is doing. Just because he is tough, people dont like it, well nor do the Terrorists and Murderers of this world, and thats good.

My goodness, they should put you on the Bush re-election commitee.

Last time I checked, one of the best ways to fight fire was with WATER. Fighting fire with fire destroys even more. Actually, that's a very good analogy because that's exactly what the current US administration is doing!

And your fact of Clinton not doing the job is flawed, especially since Clinton invaded IRAQ (Saddam Hussain), not Afghanistan (Bin Laden, remember him?)

Not to diminish the tragedy of 9/11, but I do believe that there is more at hand here than all of us know. Reports have alleged that the Bush administration knew about the potential attacks before they occurred. Despite the fact that this is an election year and this could be an election tactic, what is strange is the fact that Ms. Condoleeza Rice did not wish to witness under oath. Hmmm.

About your murderer theory as well, please answer this question: What is the difference between killing someone of your own accord and killing someone because your government trains and tells you to, even though their reasons for doing so are not 100% solid?

Same end result. A dead human.

[YorickBrown]

so you are saying you support the terrorists, so there's no point in answering that.

No. I do not support terrorism in any form or shape.

I do support a world where governments work together instead of on their own accord to resolve global problems. The current US administration has not been very good at doing this and in doing so has unknowingly assisted the terrorists in reinforcing a global atmosphere of fear that no one really wants to think about.

There is more than one way to eradicate terrorism. Your misguided accusations are symptomatic of the confusion that they have created amongst the common people of the world. In your eyes the use of violence will eliminate the already-present violence within terrorist regions. This is flawed thinking because the after-effects of those clashes will only create a breeding ground for future terrorists.

In other words if you show a child nothing but violence, he/she will embrace the concept of violence. If you show the future generations within terrorist regions that there are peaceful means of resolving conflict, then they will obviously move in that direction. The biggest mistake that this war on terrorism exposes is that terrorism cannot be solved overnight with guns and bombs.

After centuries of wars in human history, it's amazing that we are so hard-headed that we cannot see that killing and destroying each other is not the answer. Instead nations retaliate for fear of looking soft - Nothing but the fragile male EGO.

Larger more advanced countries should be setting an example against war, not reinforcing it.

[Vicky]

Imagine

Imagine there's no heaven,
It's easy if you try,
No hell below us,
Above us only sky,
Imagine all the people
living for today...

Imagine there's no countries,
It isnt hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for,
No religion too,
Imagine all the people
living life in peace...

Imagine no possesions,
I wonder if you can,
No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man,
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say Im a dreamer,
but Im not the only one,
I hope some day you'll join us,
And the world will live as one.

By John Lennon

what a wonderful place this would be.
I am a dreamer as well.

[CG]

Imagine

Imagine there's no heaven,
It's easy if you try,
No hell below us,
Above us only sky,
Imagine all the people
living for today...

Imagine there's no countries,
It isnt hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for,
No religion too,
Imagine all the people
living life in peace...

Imagine no possesions,
I wonder if you can,
No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man,
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say Im a dreamer,
but Im not the only one,
I hope some day you'll join us,
And the world will live as one.

By John Lennon

what a wonderful place this would be.
I am a dreamer as well.

A nice thing to imagine but I am afraid that is just where it will stay, in the imagination. The world has to many "axes to grind" to ever follow that. Yet, yet the individual can - if he wants too!

[Vicky]

A nice thing to imagine but I am afraid that is just where it will stay, in the imagination. The world has to many "axes to grind" to ever follow that. Yet, yet the individual can - if he wants too!

How about the she's can they dream to or is that just for males. You I have to throw that in.

[CG]

How about the she's can they dream to or is that just for males. You I have to throw that in.

"She's", can dream better than "he's" we should listen to them more often!