The Psyche of Al-Qaeda #22 Posted by HP on November 6, 2008 12:55:25 pm

{"Connecting the dots, as I understand it, is meant for looking at the circumstantial evidence or digging through the data, and not creating equations or equivalences or verifying the differences!"}

HP Sahib,
I will let you pin the tail on the donkey. :)

The Psyche of Al-Qaeda Sohail Sahib,
You have written a very brief summary regarding the founding of Al Kayda and listed its chronological ancestry. What you haven't done is to clearly state what they would do if they were to (God forbid) succeed in their mission.

I agree with Saima in #4 that merely mentioning Al Ghazali or Maududi or Syed Qutub does not necessarily or conclusively connect the fatal dots. I have every reason to believe that the philosophy and tactics of Al Kayda or even the more "moderate" Tally Ban would be categorically castigated by the Muslim intellectuals of the past.

We have seen Tally Ban rule in Afghanistan in the late 90s with its suppression of women, intimidation of men, and demeaning of Islam. This is no religious issue, it's a simple law and order issue and these miscreants need to be arrested, tried, and punished like the common criminals they are.

New US President Must Review Pakistan Policy {"But this talk about dialogue and reconciliation in Afghanistan has not been extended to neighbouring Pakistan, where unmanned and armed US spy planes have been striking with alarming regularity over the past few months, killing and maiming dozens and forcing thousands of villagers to flee their homes.

Such deaths and displacement will only strengthen militancy in the area, by fuelling the tribal code of revenge, warn analysts.

This, combined with the region’s lack of development and economic desperation, makes it imperative for the incoming US President to re-evaluate the situation -- and Washington’s policy on Pakistan. "}

Beena,
Nicely written and well presented article. My comment is that of course there must be dialogue. President-elect Obama has championed dialogue - especially with enemies. The problem is that what do the Tally Ban want to achieve? We have seen the results of their hold on power - violence, subjugation of women, intimidation of men, and displays of barbarity that would drive a decent Mullah into a convent for refuge.

One thing is certain - the Pakistani military should not receive any more new toys. Instead, Pakistan should receive substantial humanitarian, social, economic, and educational assistance - especially for FATA residents.

Have the Pakistani Tally Bans ever spelled out their platform? Now that we will have a new President in Washington, the best inauguration present that President Zardari can send is Osama in a cage for Obama to guage.

Obama is Better for Jinnah\'s Pakistan #128 Tahmed.
Tahmed Sahib,
What now - the Polish Missile Crisis? :)

Obama is Better for Jinnah\'s Pakistan Congratulations America and Congratulations President-elect Obama

Although my vote for you didn't help you get elected, I am so proud and elated at your victory.

For some reason, America looks better, stronger, gentler and even admired. I feel bad for John McCain, but I praise his gracious and supportive concession speech. McCain was the right person representing the wrong party. It was good to see the old McCain and not the right-wing Palin-type that had emerged during the campaign.

There is hope for America and the world. The strongest signal to the terrorists and the loudest slap in their face is the election of Barack Hussein Obama to the highest office in the world.

Unlike most Indians on Chowk, 81% of Indian Americans voted for President-elect Obama.

Now, let's get behind this wonderful leader and help him deliver on his important promises - healthcare, ending the war in Iraq, defeating the terrorists, and providing a more humane, equitable, and positie environment for Americans and our fellow human beings all over this planet.

God bless President-elect Obama.

Obama is Better for Jinnah\'s Pakistan #30 anil {"Please do not be so angry, Pakistan is being attacked even before the elections are over. Therefore, it is a policy of current administration, and if you think it will not be the policy of McCain administration. Please think again. MaCain voted 90% of the time with Bush."}

Anil Beta,
Very convincing and very rational statement. BTW, Zeena, Sen. Obama also stressed the need to invest in education, health, social and economic development in FATA and Afghanistan. Now, that is not all that bad. Perhaps he will bomb Pakistan with compassion, aid, and encouragement. We have tried the Bush way, let's consider the sane way.

Obama is Better for Jinnah\'s Pakistan #25 Tahmed32 {" ...Ten years from now suppose your son or daughter is looking for a job, or looking for a business partner. Would'nt it be better for them if a US President had a muslim middle name?"}

Tahmed Sahib,
Very important point and well stated, sir.
I have so much respect for Barack Obama in keeping the name his father bestowed upon him. I have even more respect for my favorite Republican, Gen. Powell, for saying what everyone, including Sen. Obama, has neglected to emphasize. Gen. Powell stated that the correct question is "..and what is wrong with being a Muslim in America?" Good for you, Gen. Powell, you have shown more wisdom and compassion than all the pussyfooting politicians in Washington. I hope President Obama doesn't forget to consider Gen. Powell as the ready-made Secretar of State.

Obama is Better for Jinnah\'s Pakistan #26,
* with the rest of the world - not the reat of the world.

Obama is Better for Jinnah\'s Pakistan To all those who are accusing Yasser Latif Hamdani Sahib of looking to the US for solutions to Pakistani problems, you must have been asleep for the past 50 years.

Pakistanis are not looking at President-to-be Barack Obama for solving Pakistan's problems. They are looking to Washington to stop interfering in their domestic politics by encouraging and favoring yet another little Napoleon. From Ayub to Yahya to Zia to Mushy, successive US administrations, especially Republican ones, have dangled the carrot of military aid and threatened with the stick of coups and counter-coups, to make Pakistan into an obedient and subservient satellite.

We expect the future President Obama to be true to his campaign promises about engaging with the reat of the world. We prefer his diplomacy over the jingoistic aggression of the the go-it-alone, maverick, cowboy who shoots first and asks questions later.

Combating terrorism is a common and important objective for BOTH Pakistan and the US. We cannot allow the continuation of suicide bombing, irreligious fatwas, uncontrolled and evil fanaticism, and personal agendas of so-called tribal and religious leaders to blow up Pakistan and the rest of the world.

Soon to be President Obama will be able to confidently take the bite out of the terrorist snake's fangs. By obtaining support from the rest of the world, especially from Muslims, President Obama will successfully isolate Bin Laden and his cohorts as the strange, bloody, unwanted, and doomed murdering terrorists that they really are.

You don't elict Jewish support by proclaiming a Holocaust and you don't win Muslim support by announcing a Crusade - no matter how righteous your cause.

Obama is Better for Jinnah\'s Pakistan #15 Chaltahai{"Obama will not use the word "crusade" and the muslim world will be happy. But the tactics and vision of the US foreign policy will be the same as under Bush. "}

Chaltahai,

If your optimism for Obama continuing Dubya's erroneous policies is the same as your optimism about Wall Street throughout this year, then we can all feel relieved that your stupidity is a good omen for the peace of the world.

Obama is Better for Jinnah\'s Pakistan Naqshbandi #12 {"As for Pakistan, we need to sort out our own problems ourselves and not rely on the US whether Democrats or Republicans. Having a stable democracy, rule of law, and social welfare would be great."}

Naqsh,
That's right. The problems of Pakistan are many, like most other countries. The solutions will have to come from Pakistan by Pakistanis. This senseless terrorism has to stop. Also, keep an eye on that military and keep reducing its budget and capacity to make mischief. Pakistan will prevail. Inshallah.

Obama is Better for Jinnah\'s Pakistan #10 Hai hai Man,
{"It is run through the Pentagon. You guys know so very little! :)"}

I seriously doubt that you have ever been in the Pentagon. LOL Stick to solving your financial woes before you venture into the world of international policy. Did you ever hear of Alexander Pope - no he was not a pontif?
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing ..... "}

Obama is Better for Jinnah\'s Pakistan #4 Alpha squared,
{"first the comic take on the financial situation and now this...man! Good stuff... "}

Alfalfa,
You have been officially stripped of your chances of ever pontificating on financial matters. First take care of Wall Street and then fix Dalal Street, before hawking your talents on the alleys of Chowk.

Obama is Better for Jinnah\'s Pakistan #3 Posted by tahmed32 on November 3, 2008 6:42:01 am
#2 {"You got that right YLH. In fact, only a blind racist, a gora wannabe, or a total dud would vote for four more years of neo-con trash."}

Tahmed Sahib,
Now be honest, please! Didn't you vote for Dubya in 2000? :)

Obama is Better for Jinnah\'s Pakistan BJ2 #2 {"It lies in making friends (and making amends for your past wrongs) with that old sweetheart right next door. "}

Mr. Coomar,
A very nicely disguised case for Injun hegemony. :)

Obama is Better for Jinnah\'s Pakistan #1 majumdar {"The only thing missing was the reference to the Hindoo racist, casteist, fascist, misogynist bigoted freak"}

MAJ Bhayya,
Why must Injuns always demand attention - even when the issue doesn't concern them? LOL