General Discussion

Savannahmann

(3,891 posts)

109. The Federal Government and the power of the gun eh...

Mon Apr 21, 2014, 07:28 AM

Apr 2014

How has that been working out regarding the war with Al Queda? I'm assuming we have them on the run and nearly eliminated. I mean, nobody is better armed than the US Government right?

http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/15/world/al-qaeda-meeting-video/index.html

Washington (CNN) -- A new video shows what looks like the largest and most dangerous gathering of al Qaeda in years. And the CIA and the Pentagon either didn't know about it or couldn't get a drone there in time to strike.

U.S. officials won't comment on that, but every frame of the video is now being analyzed by the United States.

In the middle of the clip, the man known as al Qaeda's crown prince, Nasir al-Wuhayshi, appears brazenly out in the open, greeting followers in Yemen. Al-Wuhayshi, the No. 2 leader of al Qaeda globally and the head of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, has said he wants to attack the United States. But in the video, he looks unconcerned that he could be hit by an American drone.

Despite years of war, and billions of dollars spent, and application of the best technology we can think of, nothing much has been accomplished except that they have gotten smarter. Their numbers appear pretty darned good considering that we are obviously more heavily armed than they are.

Sun Tzu wrote the Art of War more than two thousand years ago. I would quote the various applicable lessons to you, but the thing is this. It isn't about firepower. We had more firepower than the North Vietnamese, and we lost. We've been bombing the crap out of Afghanistan, and we're losing. The Russians had way more firepower than Afghanistan. Yet, in each instance the one with the most guns didn't win. There were other examples in history. The Cuban Revolution for example. Castro didn't have more and better weapons than the Army and Police of Cuba.

Think about it, and read some history my friend. Because the Government of Afghanistan is in serious danger because of some guys with assault rifles. The Government of Pakistan lives in danger because of guys with assault rifles.

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Why are you people trying to start a war that no one will win? [View all] Savannahmann Apr 2014 OP

Post removed Post removed Apr 2014 #1

Please don't imply that a DUer is mentally ill MineralMan Apr 2014 #14

"You people..." Cooley Hurd Apr 2014 #2

Agreed Sherman A1 Apr 2014 #102

.. eShirl Apr 2014 #3

I'm not afraid of traitors too stupid to know the law, or the Constitution. arcane1 Apr 2014 #4

I'm afraid of ignorance getting us into a situation we can't win. Savannahmann Apr 2014 #16

It would actually be much more dangerous if they didn't unite oneofthe99 Apr 2014 #21

"life in prison or worse" Boreal Apr 2014 #44

In case you missed it our Federal government and states still do administer the death penalty oneofthe99 Apr 2014 #59

They didn't harm anyone Boreal Apr 2014 #62

This thread was talking about what could happen oneofthe99 Apr 2014 #65

I've also written that's there's a lot more to this Boreal Apr 2014 #68

So your position is clear then oneofthe99 Apr 2014 #70

You would do well to inform yourself, nadinbrzezinski Apr 2014 #76

He owns the water rights Boreal Apr 2014 #98

If all you claim were actually true leftynyc Apr 2014 #110

Court ruling does not = right; see, Kelo v New London Nuclear Unicorn Apr 2014 #113

Of course courts can be wrong leftynyc Apr 2014 #114

"That does't mean we get to decide for ourselves which laws need to be followed." Nuclear Unicorn Apr 2014 #120

Yawn leftynyc Apr 2014 #121

I live in the west and I cover rural areas in the west nadinbrzezinski Apr 2014 #124

after the son charged a BLM agent nadinbrzezinski Apr 2014 #73

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2014 #93

Look, I get it nadinbrzezinski Apr 2014 #27

No I am not suggesting we surrender and give up. Savannahmann Apr 2014 #54

The Elian Gonzalez rescue was an entirely staged and agreed upon op... Mika Apr 2014 #61

You are comparing a staged event with this? nadinbrzezinski Apr 2014 #69

I have never advocated for starting any kind war, but merrily Apr 2014 #103

And I used to own one nadinbrzezinski Apr 2014 #126

I googled for bulletproof vests, but did not buy one. merrily Apr 2014 #128

As a medic I had to go to shootouts nadinbrzezinski Apr 2014 #131

Luckily, a former employer of mine hosted a CPR course for employees. merrily Apr 2014 #134

We perhaps... sendero Apr 2014 #47

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2014 #91

This message was self-deleted by its author 840high Apr 2014 #83

Much sense here, but too harsh on DUers Faygo Kid Apr 2014 #5

I was not one of those calling on force to be used Savannahmann Apr 2014 #17

FUD'riffic! tridim Apr 2014 #6

I just think it's repugnant for people to cheer for/demand war. Nuclear Unicorn Apr 2014 #7

+1. tosh Apr 2014 #10

Thank you Boreal Apr 2014 #49

I am not sure who is clamoring "for a war" as you put it, but Harry Reid DID NOT call for violence, lostincalifornia Apr 2014 #8

You know, not everyone on DU wants to shoot all of these MineralMan Apr 2014 #9

I agree in part what you're saying oneofthe99 Apr 2014 #11

better just to arrest those kookoo birds when they least expect it. arely staircase Apr 2014 #32

Yes it is , not during a stand off oneofthe99 Apr 2014 #37

You totally ignore the huge win and confidence it gave these nuts. Short sighted I see. nt Logical Apr 2014 #12

Pfui Savannahmann Apr 2014 #20

Wait and see how this turns out before claiming a win on this. nt Logical Apr 2014 #24

The federal government has ways of making certain groups wish they were never born. CTyankee Apr 2014 #63

Sure. And Donato Daylrimple just happened to be there, right? Mika Apr 2014 #64

Excuse me? Seems to me the only people that were itching for a showdown are you rightwing types notadmblnd Apr 2014 #13

So by advocating smart action instead of bloody confrontations I'm RW now? Savannahmann Apr 2014 #22

You're giving a lecture to the entire DU community like you are. notadmblnd Apr 2014 #34

No Savannahmann Apr 2014 #38

I know who the sovereign types are nadinbrzezinski Apr 2014 #15

You are correct. old guy Apr 2014 #45

I'm not worrying about the militia types having better body armor. House of Roberts Apr 2014 #18

It's not high tech that I would be worried about oneofthe99 Apr 2014 #25

No. But this won't be the last standoff either. House of Roberts Apr 2014 #31

I agree the feds weren't ready for what happened and it won't be the last time these nuts oneofthe99 Apr 2014 #35

So we should just overlook these "Soveriegn Citizen" movements and hope they go away? VanillaRhapsody Apr 2014 #19

I'm sure they are all under surveillance now , license plates , photos taken oneofthe99 Apr 2014 #28

and what do you propose the FBI do? VanillaRhapsody Apr 2014 #87

There's plenty they can be doing that doesn't involve a shooting match oneofthe99 Apr 2014 #97

If that is what they want.....shouldn't they find out just how outgunned they are? VanillaRhapsody Apr 2014 #116

No , they can be detained and arrested when they leave oneofthe99 Apr 2014 #143

Oh yeah we know all their names...right....yeah that is how law enforcement works....right VanillaRhapsody Apr 2014 #144

I didn't want to see anyone killed oneofthe99 Apr 2014 #147

Who does....but these guys ARE dangerous and ARE planning mayhem.... VanillaRhapsody Apr 2014 #148

That I didn't know about the bomb oneofthe99 Apr 2014 #149

Absolutely. meanit Apr 2014 #71

It was very disappointing to see the posts here hoping for violence Lurks Often Apr 2014 #23

I hope they can be arrested peacefully. arely staircase Apr 2014 #26

Do you think after pointing weapons at Federal Agents....that we should not send the SWAT VanillaRhapsody Apr 2014 #88

are you a libertarian? and please don't take offense arely staircase Apr 2014 #29

Send in the drones LordGlenconner Apr 2014 #30

That's the problem with Liberals... Bigmack Apr 2014 #33

Your plan has a better chance of success than the face them down crowd Savannahmann Apr 2014 #42

The first thing is to take away the "glory" from these guys, meanit Apr 2014 #86

This mac56 Apr 2014 #158

I give you a big "un-rec", cause you've been watching too much Hannity... MrMickeysMom Apr 2014 #36

It was posted today because this is the first day off I've had from work for most of the week. Savannahmann Apr 2014 #41

No� not that� I'm talking about Patriot's Day... MrMickeysMom Apr 2014 #46

Do not forget about the other April 20th, that matters to some of these asshats nadinbrzezinski Apr 2014 #50

Ah� yesssssss... MrMickeysMom Apr 2014 #55

Didn't know about Patriot's day either Savannahmann Apr 2014 #85

Women as human shields wasn't a "story." DirkGently Apr 2014 #39

They need to be arrested one by one and tried as terrorists. Hoyt Apr 2014 #40

theu are criminals Niceguy1 Apr 2014 #66

+1 Louisiana1976 Apr 2014 #72

Whoa, I stopped right at "sovereign citizen" Boreal Apr 2014 #43

The beliefs of the Sovereign Citizens and his match too damned closely. Savannahmann Apr 2014 #51

Okay Boreal Apr 2014 #60

Oh for frak's face, Bundy IS a Sovereign Citizen nadinbrzezinski Apr 2014 #52

No, he isn't Boreal Apr 2014 #58

His statements are that nadinbrzezinski Apr 2014 #67

You got farther than I did. I stopped at "you people." Iggo Apr 2014 #96

Is it true that he owns the water rights to the federal land? eShirl Apr 2014 #99

ikr lunasun Apr 2014 #129

This needs to be dealt with, solidly MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #48

I Can't get over the difference between this and OWS vis a vis the authorities Populist_Prole Apr 2014 #53

You know..its too bad you start with a blanket accusatory indictment of fellow DUers...it leads me Drew Richards Apr 2014 #56

Yes it is DU trying to start a war Egnever Apr 2014 #57

So just let the criminals win? Because it was a criminal act. WinkyDink Apr 2014 #74

Yeah, thanks a whole bunch for the snotty defeatist lecture. Paladin Apr 2014 #75

You hit the enemy where they are weakest. NutmegYankee Apr 2014 #77

I sincerely hope you are joking. Savannahmann Apr 2014 #84

Brother vs. brother? Seriously? DirkGently Apr 2014 #89

LOL NutmegYankee Apr 2014 #112

Well put. (nt) Paladin Apr 2014 #118

Why? Savannahmann Apr 2014 #122

Are the moonshiners engaging in active rebellion? NutmegYankee Apr 2014 #123

Jesus U. Christ on a pogo stick you are talking about .003 % of the population ROFL snooper2 Apr 2014 #125

Yeah, they've won the war on terror haven't they? Savannahmann Apr 2014 #137

not sure what you are going on about, but we don't have to kill them snooper2 Apr 2014 #138

I have no fear of morons wearing cowboy hats. OilemFirchen Apr 2014 #78

Pick every one of these snot-nosed punks up... 99Forever Apr 2014 #79

Read this, please BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #80

You lost me at "you people." Brigid Apr 2014 #81

+100. The "you people" and the tiresome posing as an expert re all things historical. Paladin Apr 2014 #111

I don't know from 'start a war', but... Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2014 #82

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2014 #90

Advocating for the death of people with whom you disagree isn't cool. cyberswede Apr 2014 #92

And here I was thinking that we were a nation of laws Jake Stern Apr 2014 #94

We most definitely are a nation of laws. The volumes of federal state and local laws merrily Apr 2014 #104

This message was self-deleted by its author Iggo Apr 2014 #95

There are many survivalists who have invested heavily for this scenario. Jesus Malverde Apr 2014 #100

You'd think the federal government, National Guard and state and local authorities merrily Apr 2014 #105

The survivalist nut jobs envision a SHTF scenario Jesus Malverde Apr 2014 #117

What kind of scenarios do you suppose survivalist federal, state and local governments are merrily Apr 2014 #119

We all know what the government reaction to "the left" brandishing firearms would be Fumesucker Apr 2014 #108

So let me get this straight... mattclearing Apr 2014 #101

The Federal Government and the power of the gun eh... Savannahmann Apr 2014 #109

Not the same thing. mattclearing Apr 2014 #140

Unlimited manpower? Savannahmann Apr 2014 #141

Jesus BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #145

I think you over-estimate the potential numbers. mattclearing Apr 2014 #152

"you seriously think the Federal Government can't defeat the various...if all-out war broke out?" Nuclear Unicorn Apr 2014 #115

Not the same thing. mattclearing Apr 2014 #139

And the boys will be home by Christmas. Nuclear Unicorn Apr 2014 #142

No one ever wins any war. quaker bill Apr 2014 #106

Wow, Motown_Johnny Apr 2014 #107

"You people"? Lex Apr 2014 #127

""But a shootout in Nevada would have sparked a civil war,"" lunasun Apr 2014 #130

Superb post. MicaelS Apr 2014 #132

Nice slam and worthless generalizations against DU'ers. nt Lex Apr 2014 #135

RKBA is over there... nadinbrzezinski Apr 2014 #136

do the militia nuts warrprayer Apr 2014 #133

Did the Insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan have those? Savannahmann Apr 2014 #150

estimated 20,000 warrprayer Apr 2014 #155

That's a lot of people oneofthe99 Apr 2014 #156

I wonder warrprayer Apr 2014 #159

Link to the source for that number? Savannahmann Apr 2014 #160

I think it was warrprayer Apr 2014 #162

Savannah BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #146

The principle in diplomacy is negotiation. Savannahmann Apr 2014 #151

Oops! Jeff Murdoch Apr 2014 #154

Well that will drive the RW into the arms of love and tolerance Savannahmann Apr 2014 #161

Tanks, Drones, they couldn't have been serious. Oakenshield Apr 2014 #153

Oh brother ProSense Apr 2014 #157