Bush Or Kerry: The Anti-american View?

[Charles]

I put forward this for consideration: If Kerry wins will the driving force of anti-american movements be stalled?

For the purposes of this discussion I will break down Anti-American movements into:

1) Iraqi insurgents - the wealth of islam orientated terror/criminal groups now operating and forming militias across Iraq

2) Al Qaeda - specifically al-qaeda terrorists - not iraqi insurgents

3) the Anti-War movement - StopTheWar coalitions and such

4) the frosty international reception America is enduring.

I think I can say with certainity that if Bush is re-elected 1),2) and 3) and probably 4) will be enforced in their stances. Question is: is this a bad thing? Again we should consider in each of the cases.

My personal views are this

1) If Kerry won this would be percieved as a victory; pressure in iraq would not dissapate - but I do not think it would continue to grow as extensively as it is today. Ive been reading report that hold the number of insurgents to be around the 20,000 mark, and organization is increasing.

2) Al-Qaeda appear to have had there time; they have fulfilled their purpose and could not have done so in a better way; Bin Laden, if alive, will be reeling in awe as what he has done far outdoes what he ever imagined he was possible of doing. He struck America at the heart - and got exactly the response he wanted. His holy war is now fermenting nicely.

Bush's Iraqi campaign has set that ball rolling and I dont think it can be stopped - at least not by Kerry's election, and given that it may be best that the US stick with its decision regardless of how wise it originally was, and re-elect Bush to deal with the threat in a heavy handed way.

3) They will feel a sense of victory but will quickly dissipate into a causeless rabble. Many Members will align themselves with the free-palestine cause and some even with Islam.

4) Kerry would be generally welcomed; the war was deeply unpopular and the world basically lies to the left of USA and will always welcome a move closer. Bush would not be welcomed, obviously, but many nations would put aside differences in order to 'get on with it' although such stretched relationships make the world a highly unpredictable place to be.

I cannot stand the religiosity of Bush and the socialism of Kerry; and although I would tend to vote Republican will only vote Bush reluctantly if at all.

[Toolboxnj]

What's interesting is the new proported tape from al-qaida. They promise blood in the streets and more casualties than we can count if Bush is reelected. I don't know how to read it.

[Dagny]

i've been pretty undecided for this election and this forum has provided excellent points for both sides. I have been leaning towards Bush slightly because of his strong convictions on defense (willing to go at it alone). However, like the originator of this thread would prefer if he wasn't so religious. The new Al-Queda tape does bring interesting questions to floor. Why did they single out Bush? does that mean they are afraid of him? would the terrorists actually consider it a victory if kerry won? i certainly dont want terrorists feeling victorious like they did after Spain's election. but of course i'm not basing my decision on that. still, it is something to think about.

[A.West]

I don't see anything new in the Al Qaida tape, except that it's a semi-American person making the threats. Is "American streets filled with blood" really a new concept for them? I thought it's what they've been after all along - that if they could use an atomic bomb on the U.S., they would.

They may prefer Bush to lose, but they'd kill Americans whenever they can, regardless of who is president. Look at the surprised bootlicking French who were so bewildered when French people were held hostage by terrorists - "Mon Dieu! Don't you realize what great appeasers we've been? Why hold us hostage?"

[AisA]

I put forward this for consideration: If Kerry wins will the driving force of anti-american movements be stalled?

If Kerry wins one of the "driving forces of anti-American movements" will be in the White House!