July 05, 2005

More Occurences of Islamofascists Targeting Muslims

Earlier today I blogged one such instance and noted: “Nothing will turn the Arab world against Al Qaeda faster than things like this.” Now, just a few hours later, there are two more:

Gunmen Mount Attacks on Diplomats in Iraq:

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Gunmen ambushed two more top diplomats from Muslim countries Tuesday in apparent kidnap bids that seemed aimed at scaring off foreign governments and isolating Iraq from the Arab world. Pakistan responded by announcing the withdrawal of its ambassador.

And…

Zarqawi says Qaeda forms wing to fight Shi’ites:

Zarqawi, who in his last audio tape in May denied to Osama bin Laden that he had been seriously injured, lambasted Iraqi army as apostates and vowed to continue attacking them.

“Some have said there are two kinds of a resistance; an honorable resistance fighting the infidel occupier and a dishonorable resistance one fighting Iraqis.

“We declare that the Iraqi army is an apostate, agent army allied to the crusaders and came to destroy Islam and Muslims. We will fight it,” the speaker said.

From the standpoint of the GWOT, this could have favorable consequences. The terrorists could alienate the larger Muslims population, potentially turning that population against them.

How Ahmadinejad Got Elected in Iran. (It Wasn’t Due to His Jihadist Views.)

All the Iranian candidates who were permitted to run, had jihadist views in keeping with those of the ruling elite.

Per Reza Aslan, author of a book on the history of Islam, Ahmadinejad got elected due to his position on economic improvement:

While Rafsanjani and the other half-dozen or so presidential candidates stumbled over each other with promises of social reform and rapprochement with the West, Ahmadinejad promised to stop corruption in the government, distribute aid to the outlying provinces, promote healthcare, raise the minimum wage and help the young with home and business loans. Amid all the talk of head scarves and pop music from the front-runners, Ahmadinejad’s message had enormous appeal not just for Iran’s poor, but also for the country’s youth, many of whom were attracted to Rafsanjani’s promises of reform but who ultimately voted with their pocketbooks for Ahmadinejad.

In fact, the crumbling economy — perhaps even more than the mass arrests and political repression — is to blame for Iranian’s widespread disenchantment with the reform movement. After all, when nearly a third of the population is unemployed and about 40% live below the poverty line, it is nearly impossible to focus on social reform

It’s very interesting that even in Iran, even in this largely-rigged election, Democracy permitted the voice of the people to be heard on some key matters.

Ahmadinejad’s jihadist views continue to make Iran a danger to the world; a nuclear Iran must not be tolerated.

But like the Iraqis, the people of Iran – suffering due to decades of repression – might welcome freedom.

Safer Nuclear Reactors

There’s another fuel besides uranium that can run a nuclear reactor: thorium.

Fueling nuclear reactors with the element thorium instead of uranium could produce half as much radioactive waste and reduce the availability of weapons-grade plutonium by as much as 80 percent. But the nuclear power industry needs more incentives to make the switch, experts say.

IRAQ’S QAEDA SAYS IT KIDNAPPED EGYPT ENVOY.

Nothing will turn the Arab world against Al Qaeda faster than things like this.

MARTHA STEWART SEEKS TO OVERTURN HER CONVICTION.

I hope it is overturned. As I’ve blogged previously, I thought her prosecution was unjust. I really admire the way she has handled her recent adversity. She is emerging from prison and immediately is resuming her rightfully-earned, and successful, career.

Five-by-Five

• “In the time that Natalee Holloway has been missing, there have been at least 110 acts of Islamic terrorism in 12 different countries.” [Atlas Shrugs]
• The FBI just found out to its chagrin that Islamic groups in America it had befriended, have leaders who have called for terrorist actions here. [Jihad Watch]
• Sharon says attacks on the withdrawing Gaza settlers will be met with force that “will be so great that it could topple the entire process.” [Little Green Footballs]
• A fascinating history of money in American: the economy was hosed for decades while we got this capitalism thing figured out. [Pejmanesque]

• An Iraqi expresses gratitude to America on Independence Day. [Free Iraqi]