Petraeus: Greatest threat to U.S. comes from South Asia.
Petraeus: Greatest threat to U.S. comes from South Asia.
In today’s confirmation hearing, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) asked Gen. Petraeus if he believes central terror threat to the U.S. comes from South Asia — and not Iraq. While Petraeus defended the Iraq war, claiming it is al Qaeda’s “main effort,” he said the “organization of an attack” would come from the “strengthened” al Qaeda in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan:
REED: In fact, Admiral Mullen has stated, “If we’re going to pick the next attack on the United States, it would come out the FATA.” Do you agree with those intelligence assessments?
PETRAEUS: I do, Senator. Clearly, al Qaeda’s senior leadership has been strengthened in the FATA, even though their main efforts still is assessed to be in Iraq by them, as well as by us. But the organization of an attack, if you will, would likely come from the FATA.
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Jack Reed D-NY????
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:53 pmI thought he was from Rhode Island?
General Betrayus: You, sir, are WRONG!
The greatest threat to the U.S. is the Bush/Cheney administration. They ARE the enemies of the state and people.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:54 pmPakistan actually has WMD. Pakistan actually played a role in 9/11. Pakistan and Reagan/Bush actually strongly aided al Qaeda. They actually have bin Laden. Unlike some other country I could mention.
New York has three senators?
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:57 pmUnka Ho,
WOW! I guess we can expect to see all the surplus Vietnam jungle boots and cammie fatigues coming out of storage now. Gonna fight a war on two fronts, huh?
This BS is making my f’ing head explode!!!! But as we used to say “Don’t mean nothin’”
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:59 pm.
Dear General Petraeus,
Please name me one terrorist that has attacked my freedoms.
R E M E M B E R:
Your president said:
THEY(sic) HATE US FOR OUR FREEDOMS…
Was it these “Muslim extremists” that legislated away my Habeas Corpus Rights; That are attempting to legislate away my Right to privacy; That are attempting to label me a threat that needs containment in a detention facility because I exorcise my Constitutional Right to Peaceful Protest?
I want my FREEDOM to protest without the threat of internment, back!
I want my FREEDOM to Habeas Corpus, back!
I want my FREEDOM to have private communications, BACK!
I want my FREEDOM to be an American, BACK!
But instead, Congress entertains folly by engaging in discussions about undermining Basic American Tenants, Freedoms, Rights, and Privileges. Legislation has been crafted and signed so as to legitimize this TREASON! Then in Hearings, excuses are given AND accepted. “I don’t recall…” is the common theme in America, for I can’t recall who’s been charged as being accountable for a darned thing. Sure, hearings are held, but where’s the beef?
.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:07 pmGeneral, al Qaeda had no effort in Iraq until we overthrew the government and occupied the country. Thank you for tacitly admitting that the unconscionably stupid policies of this administration have worsened the country’s security situation. Now may the voters please cast their ballots in November in favor of a sane, comprehensive approach to engaging the Muslim world that closes threats to our security while refraining from sacrificing our troops to the bloodlust of terrorists and neocons alike.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:07 pmPETRAEUS: I do, Senator. Clearly, al Qaeda’s senior leadership has been strengthened in the FATA, even though their main efforts still is assessed to be in Iraq by them, as well as by us. But the organization of an attack, if you will, would likely come from the FATA.
Never mind of course, that they wouldn’t be in Iraq if we hadn’t invaded. Let’s see now what other part of the world we can screw up.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:11 pmBush’s military spent more time & coordination on bullshitting the American public leading up to the Iraq invasion than they have truly fighting Al Qaeda.
Perpetuating war puts a lot of money in a lot of pockets. ‘War is good for the economy’ is a favorite rightie phrase.
Never mind that war is Hell for people.
‘The Change You Deserve’ is voting Republicans out of office.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:19 pmMcConnell, did you hear that?
upside; the only time I put on the cammies is at antiwar demonstrations. Too f**king old for combat these days.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:19 pmCan these morons PAALLLLEEEEAAASSSSEEE make up their Fricking minds!?!?!?!?!
War is Peace
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:20 pmFreedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength
We just seem to be making friends all over the world. You know, it’s hard to hit a “moving” target. This just gives them more mileage for their fear campaign – attack attack attack fear fear fear. Say it long enough and they seem to believe that will make it true.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:21 pmAt present the “GREATEST” threat to the United States is our own government………………………
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:23 pmFirst we fear Oceania, then we fear Eastasia, then we fear Oceania some more, then we Eurasia – don’t these idiots know we all had to read the original version of this story in high school – It’s called “1984!”
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:23 pmNashoba nowa Says:
At present the “GREATEST” threat to the United States is our own government………………………
If there is a nails head out there you hit with that
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:30 pmThe greatest threat is the enemy within (the WH).
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:35 pmPetraeus fudged it, but the undeniable truth that another attack will germinate from inside FATA still came through loud & clear.
Vote Dem for a change to stronger, more honest & capable military leadership in the ME. We can & should do better than an obvious BushCo sycophant like Petraeus, & his little pal Odierno.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:41 pmGeneral Petraeus, he speaks with forked tongue.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:41 pmWe support the troops……….
When they frag their officers
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:48 pmI’m having trouble remembering how many German General staff went to trial at Nuremburg…
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:00 pmJesus Christ! Iraq is al Qaeda’s main effort? Are you kidding me?
Iraq’s fight is, has been, and will be a Sunni minority that used to be in charge and hates being on the outs versus a Shia majority that used to be oppressed by the Sunni, but are now in charge and exacting revenge against the Sunni who oppressed them. In addition to that, there are Shia religious fundamentalists who want a clerical state with ties to Iraq.
Al Qaeda is in AFGHANISTAN! Afghanistan is NOT in Iraq.
We did NOT go to war in Iraq because were were looking to bring al Qaeda to justice after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. We went to war in Iraq because Saddam had WMDs, or WMD programs, or the ability to reconstitute WMD programs, or the intent to reconstitute WMD programs…
Now, General Petraeus surely knows better than to say stupid things like this, which help the Bush administration continue the false conflation of Iraq and al Qaeda. His problem is that he’s all to willing to suck up to the President and the Secretary of Defense, either for his own advancement, or out of some misguided sense of loyalty.
A major problem with today’s military, aside from the Bush administration’s stupid and flawed Iraq policy, is that leaders with integrity have felt compelled to retire, or have been fired for not falling in line with the administration.
General Petraeus ought to be ashamed and he ought not to be confirmed. I have no doubt, though, that the Democratic Senators who SAY they’re against the President’s Iraq policy will vote to make Petraeus the CENTCOM commander, and he’ll continue doing Bush’s bidding. Petraeus will continue implementing the flawed Iraq policy and the Democrats will continue saying they’re against it. In short, nothing will change.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:12 pmAl Qaeda attacked the US on 9/11 2001 and Bush started the war on terror
6 1/2 years later and the result? “al Qaeda’s senior leadership has been strengthened”
Heck of a job mr Bush!
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:12 pm.
Ho,
Support the troops…
… who refuse illegal orders.
Please do not advocate violence.
.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:13 pmWhooohee, they just keepa comin don’t they?
Just tell us who does not not pose a threat to us; the list will be short. Don’t put Bush, Cheney, the GOP or the neocons on the list – they are the biggest threat to the U.S.A.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:27 pmSouth Asia,,WTF!! Next up, South Pole terrorists. (Freeze them there so they don’t thaw here) So much for Bush’s tag line that Iraq is central point for terrorists.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:33 pmYou know what that means, if the Bush administration is right on this, which I doubt very much, then by its own logic, it surrendered to the terrorists who want to steal away our freedoms. It did the bidding of the terrorists… /sarcasm
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:40 pmDamn, there’s already a rice shortage. Better get it while you can.
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:20 pmOthers have said it, but I have to say it again.
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:54 pmIt is now obvious that the biggest threat to the US is coming from the White House.
The Bush gang is the most dangerous enemy of the American democracy and the American people.
The 9-11 attacks didn’t damage our democracy, our rule of law or cause us to go into massive debt.
The Bush gang did that.
Wrong again: the “South of America.”
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:26 pmAfter they did their illegal intrusion into Venezuelan airspace recently , i though they would be NEXT , part of their full spectrum dominance . IT’S THEIR PLAN , a full military control over every region of the world AND AND space . They have plans for laser weaponry for space to hit any spot on the planet , THAT’S when shit will really hit the fan .
May 24th, 2008 at 1:36 amThe Russians and Chinese figures it out a long time ago ,and will not sit around doing nothing , that’s why they entered into a nuclear agreement .
Uncle Ho:
We support the troops……….
When they frag their officers
Do you really mean this, or are you simply trying to express an opinion with a limited basis for comprehension. As someone who at least makes himself out to be a veteran, how could you possible make that statement?
This is my third combat deployment, 1 as enlisted (under Clinton) and 2 as an officer. Why don’t you go up to my 11 year old and tell him that you wish one of his Soldiers to take away his life. After all, he is only having to deal with the fact that his father cannot tuck him in at night any more, the fact that kids at his school (family is not living near a military post right now) cannot comprehend what his life is like, not being able to speak to his father but every couple of weeks, and finally, the true terror that one night he will see a government vehicle pull up to his house to tell him the most devastating news one can imagine at that age.
I don’t want any sympathy, or for that matter empathy. I do not expect most people who have never seen TRUE tyranny or what REAL human suffering to understand why I do what I do. Most people throughout the world are lucky, lucky to be able to remain ignorant to such horrors. In their ignorance they do not have the ability to understand, truly understand what hell really is. I do not judge or condemn them. I treasure their desire for discourse. However, I also realize that to most of them, the things that they protest are simply words and phrases. Things like patriotism and freedom are tactile to me. I can see, touch, and taste them. I understand that with our rights and freedoms come certain responsibilities. One of the most true is with the freedom of speech, comes the responsibility to speak intelligently. Hopefully one day you may realize this.
June 1st, 2008 at 3:13 am“This is my third combat deployment, 1 as enlisted (under Clinton) and 2 as an officer. Why don’t you go up to my 11 year old and tell him that you wish one of his Soldiers to take away his life.”
Should have said “my life” or “his dad’s life”
June 1st, 2008 at 8:49 am