Ask500

That is the problem. We know that they are operating in Iraq and Pakistan. But, they are also operating freely all over the world. The news media have reported many of their attacks for many years, but the problem is, where are they? Do they have a central location which is (sic) a central command center? I would guess - with absolutely no evidence or proof of such - that they may have several central commands under the direction of Osama Bin Laden. In previous wars, i.e., World Wars I, and II, the enemies were easily identified. That is the most threatening and worrisom problem. We can't look at any individual and know who he is by his dress or demeanor. The 911 group whom, if memory serves, were Egyptian nationals. I know, I know. After the 911 reprehensible terrorist bombing, we all heard that we had ample warning but didn't heed the information we had. I would have liked to have had proof that there was and is a direct evident link between Al Quaida and the late madman Saadam Hussein. So far, there is no evidence of proof of such a link. What I am saying is that, by using some of the billions of our taxpaying dollars to hunt down Bin Laden and his minions, we could kill the source of Al Quaida which appears to be the greatest terrorist threat to us and many other countries as well. We have so many freedoms here, among them freedom of religion. Many middle-easterners label us infidels and have sworn to kill us because we don't believe their way. I served in the military and traveled globally in and after my enlistment. I long for the day when we can travel without threat again! So far, I haven't heard of or seen any solid evidence of WMD, and especially a delivery system for them based in Iraq. Show me the proof and I'll reenlist! The NSA just got the finest and most powerful computer system in the world. Use it, ladies and gentlemen. Bin Laden is just one man! The incredibly dangerous and equally elusive Al Quaida must be stopped. You may be surprised to hear that, since we have been attacked on far too many fronts, both overt and covert, that I wish we would revoke the entire Marshall Plan! They start it; we finish it. They have oil money, so let them rebuild themselves! Arbitrarily converting any very old country to a democratic state is force feeding. I would resent any country coming here to convert me to any of their religions, too. Freedoms are precious and costly here and in any country endowed with them. I would add, also, that what is sad is that the distance between our main two parties has grown far too wide over the past few years. We used to disagree, but the motive was lees greed-based then, and we arrived at sane resolutions. Again, I don't ask anyone to believe my way; just think about it. I fear that 911 announced the advent of World War III.

Absolutely YES to all three! I have no solid data or facts to answer the second question, but it would seem that Al Qaeda is working mostly at large in the world. I don't know if or that they are fighting directly with Iraqi citizens (I mean against them), but it does seem clear that they have very deep pockets to travel so easily about the world and do so much damage. I would love to see our resources directed more toward them than anyone else. This is a covert war they are waging and it will take considerable resources to bring them to justice and end the threat they present to us and many other nations. I can understand the belief that the three warring resident factions in Iraq could be fueled cleverly and covertly by Al Quaeda. That, and their alleged connection with Iran. Beware!

I recognize your name - Zardoz. Sean Connery said in the movie of the same name, "I have seen the future, and it doesn't work." I also liked the phrase in the movie Brazil: "Confusion breeds confidence." Great writing.