I know this question presumes Bin Laden has a brain, but here goes: Do the terrorists who support Bin Laden (and such rich, Anti-Western Arabs) realize that a collapse of Western society would mean their precious oil supply would be about as valuable as camel dung?
That turban-headed dunce should realize his fortune comes from oil, and without it, he and his kin would be pounding sand. Does he and his kin have dung for brains, or what?
Along these lines, if the Saudis had any balls, they’d come forward and a declare a holy war on any brother who threatens the demand for their black gold. If the attack on the WTC did damage Western economics, as allegedly Laden believed, he’ll be worthless in spirit AND on paper!
I guess he’s waiting for Allah to come and personally tell him this, huh? :dubious:
I expect the turban headed dunces realise there will always be a huge demand for the product. I may be wrong but I think non democratic countries have been known to contain the odd factory or car. China springs to mind.
I think you are positing a vastly overblown connection between one (formerly) wealthy psychopath from a Saudi family whose fortune was in construction, who knew (and perhaps funded) someone who convinced some foreign Taleban fanatics to hijack some planes, with Islamic terrorists and governments worldwide.
Binladen has had his 9/11 hollywood blockbuster, and succeeded in provoking a “West versus Islam” war. If he is still alive, I think he will care not one jot about his own poverty or the price of a barrel of Brent crude.
No matter what country you pick, you are descibing a society functioning in a Western way. India and China may be up and coming, but guess what? It’s all about the mighty dollar. And, the global economy is sure to fail if Bin Laden had knocked us out of the picture due to our investments and debt. As a simple example, the Boston Tea Party came at quite a price to British investors.
So, if there are no wheels to grease, then the Middle East can go back to being tents in a wasteland. And, I’ll tell ya this, even if we all went down together, pre-industrial America did just fine, thank you very much. Whereas the Arab world would just be a bunch of camel riding tent sitters.
I may be stereotyping, but they really need a good ZAP between the eyes. America’s mistake was making the Arabs think they’re so important…and the American businessmen that make sure we’ll NEVER have an alternate fuel source. Believe me, it’s out there, but the mighty dollar lines the pockets of those with the means to squelch it. :mad:
I just think you’re hopelessly confusing industrialisation with western society. If the USA and the dollar along with it were scooped up by the Borg tomorrow the world would go on, economics would go on and energy get used.
That just shows how short-sighted the Islamic world is…to follow a man that will make sure the Islamic world remains primitive forever. You know, love or hate Israel, at least the Jews HAVE made substantial contributions to this world AND they’ve always worked to better themselves. I’d like to hear what Islamic values and traditions have given this world. - Jinx
There are a few things you’re not considering. Back in 1988, when the Yen was so strong, economic articles were demonstrating how the Japanese couldn’t afford to allow the US dollar to sink too low in value. A big piece of this is because Japan has to import almost everything. Their land is very poor in natural resources. In other words, if the dollar goes, so goes the world economy, my friend because the US is not just an intergal part, but the keystone!
In short, America isn’t just a country sitting back watching the world go by. We have our economic fingers into everything going on in this world. Even up-and-coming India and China could not do it without the US businessman exploiting the people they’ve found. You didn’t think India and China did it all by themselves, did you? Also, who will buy around to buy all the exports, if not the US? #2, right? Well, whoever you name as #2, their economy will be blown away by the collapse of #1 (US)…and so on like a domino effect.
Without America to make the economic world go round, the great rotor will stop and Atlas WILL shrug. He’ll shrug and the world will roll right off his shoulders throwing the world for a loop! …and I hate Ayn Rand, personally! But in this case, her philosophy is correct! - Jinx
So you think that non Western countries produce nor use anything that needs fossil energy?
It is more about other nations supporting and sustaining and propping up the now close-to-free-diving US dollar, actually.
Actually, you don’t need outsiders to knock yourselves out of the picture. You have already a good chance with GW Bush and his Famous Deficit. It can only continue to grow… Partially because of his Famous Wars. (And yes, your “example” was not only simple but also gives additional insight in your simplicity).
Time for me then to look for a few new tents and some more camels, and to root out my trees.
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And, I’ll tell ya this, even if we all went down together, pre-industrial America did just fine, thank you very much.
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I completely agree. The Native Americans did just fine before their lands were invaded while they were massacred.
We would? (I must go first of all rewrite some history books… That can become a work of a lifetime.)
Someone please help me here: what is a ZAP? (Is this an other word for "pre-emptive invasion to Bring the tentliving camelrider US style “democracy”?)
Sorry to bring the news that “Arabs” do not need the USA to think about anything.
One can’t say the same about quite a few people in the USA who obviously need to repeat "USA 1! USA GOOD! USA FREE! USA HERO! USA RULES! endlessly in order to feel themselves important.
That most certainly is not limited to the USA.
If it is “out there”, then why don’t you make investments yourself to get it produced? Especially since you feel this is of such importance to your battle with the Turban Wearing “Arabs” (You should also inform yourself a bit on the various Arab traditions regarding head covering).
Salaam. A
If, as you suggest, Bin Laden’s motivation in trying to drive America to its knees was personal profit, then, indeed, he is a turban-headed dunce, because as others have stated, his money came from construction, and not in America, and because he’s probably not driving around in limousines these days.
I’m afraid one bad apple CAN spoil the whole bunch, whether intentionally or not. It is just like the one bad kid that has to ruin everything for the class. The acts of Bin Laden, and such, will only serve to drag down the Islamic community as a whole.
I mean, did you ever once hear a public outcry that we shouldn’t fight the Russians because not all Russians are bad? When we point our ICBMs at Russia, it ain’t because of the deeds of the good, is it? So, would you say America is ignorant to say all of the former Soviet Union is just a bunch of Commies? From this perspective, I hope you can see how Islam will be dealt with by the powers that be, right or wrong. When war breaks out, they don’t ask if you’re a good egg or a bad egg, do they? If you’re an egg, you’re the enemy (if we’re fighting the Eggs, that is.)
Now, to validate your argument (because I really do hate stereotyping), my above statements are EXACTLY WHY it is prudent for the Islamic world to come forward and DECLARE that they do not support the actions of this one BAD egg. And, they should be joining us and embracing this opportunity to route out terrorism. But, instead, they have been quite silent uttering token consulations back on 9/12/01. Actions speak louder than words, my friend. If the Islamic leaders want peace to protect their “good eggs”, then they better start changing their ways and start ACTING like they want peace and value life!
I don’t know…my Bible didn’t need to tell me to do that…just like the Bible diesn’t tell me it’d be a good idea to inhale oxygen eery once in a while.
Oh no, not this again.
Sure, everybody “follows OBL” which makes that every Muslims is right now plotting to exterminate you. Do you actually have any idea how many Muslims inhabit this globe?
We are also all “primitive”. I am even that primitive that I have no clue what you try to achieve with your primitive rant.
We also have no clue about Jewish contribution to the world’s society. That is why Jewish (and Christian) communities were triving inside the Islamic world for as long as it exists.
As for your wish to hear about what the Muslim world contributed to the world… So sorry that I dont list it. That would keep me buzy for a very long time while in fact at this moment I don’t see how you are even worth one second of it.
Instead of spending my time on you, let me give you and advise: There are institutions called "library where there are items called “books” available. You can find all you need as information on the issue there, inless you happen to live in some dark wood or in some desert, cut off from the rest of the world (or in space, which seems to me more of an option at this point).
a) If Bin Laden thought this way, then he’d be content staying where he is and not dreaming up ways to attack the US…even before 9/11.
b) Western society threatens his way of life. What is the heartbeat of Western society? Well, the bloodline is the mighty dollar. Cut off the bloodline, and he thinks that will be the undoing of Western society.
c) If he didn’t care, he wouldn’t have thought so much to send the very best (to America on 9/11).
Well, thanks for representing me and the rest of the Western world as stereotyping hypocrites who show absolutely no understanding of the Islamic world nor any desire to develop any.
I hereby declare that I do not suuport the actions of Jinx in this thread.
Well in that case there was actually a functioning government specifically at odds with the US/West. Confrontation was between nation states not individuals. How exactly does a single man leading an amorphous group not represented to any great degree by the actual functioning governments within the Islamic world become equivalent to the USSR in your mind?
