# Pentagon cancels The Abu Zarqawi Hour **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 13, 2006, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613 "2006-06-13T21:03:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![XaMcQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/f9ae1b/32.png) [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2006, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/1 "2006-06-13T21:03:31Z")
Another reality show bites the dust. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2006, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/2 "2006-06-13T21:25:04Z")
Erunh? ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2006, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/3 "2006-06-13T21:41:44Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > Erunh? I know. I loved this show, especially the part when Donna broke up with Eric. ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2006, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/4 "2006-06-13T22:05:44Z")
> [@XaMcQ](#): > > Another reality show bites the dust. You’re fairly new, **XaMcQ** , so you may not realize that posting an entire article from a copyrighted source is not permitted. You can quote relevant portions, paraphrase others and link to the original source but lifting the entire thing is a violation. Please do not do this again. TVeblen for the SDMB ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2006, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/5 "2006-06-13T22:07:51Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#): > > I know. I loved this show, especially the part when Donna broke up with Eric. Hey! No spoilers. I still have it Tivo’ed and haven’t watchd it yet. Sheeesh… ---
**Author:** ![XaMcQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/f9ae1b/32.png) [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2006, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/6 "2006-06-13T22:16:38Z")
> [@TVeblen](#): > > You’re fairly new, **XaMcQ** , so you may not realize that posting an entire article from a copyrighted source is not permitted. You can quote relevant portions, paraphrase others and link to the original source but lifting the entire thing is a violation. Please do not do this again. > > TVeblen > for the SDMB Sorry about that. Here’s a [link to the story](http://billmon.org/archives/002464.html) ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2006, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/7 "2006-06-13T22:35:32Z")
I pit you for opening this thread for that stupid article. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2006, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/8 "2006-06-13T22:56:43Z")
> [@XaMcQ](#): > > Sorry about that. Here’s a [link to the story](http://billmon.org/archives/002464.html) Lame. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2006, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/9 "2006-06-13T23:56:40Z")
Yeah, just linking someone else’s article isn’t bringing anything to the table. If you’re gonna pit something, at least offer your own comments on the subject. Oh, an include a “fuck” or three. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/10 "2006-06-14T00:02:58Z")
> [@XaMcQ](#): > > Sorry about that. Here’s a [link to the story](http://billmon.org/archives/002464.html) Ho-Lee-Shit. You ganked some dipshit’s blog? Enough that it was stupid and not funny to begin with, but that’s it someone else’s stupid and not funny… ---
**Author:** ![Taran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Taran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taran)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/11 "2006-06-14T00:03:53Z")
I dunno, I liked it. “Mr. Zarqawi was unavailable for comment.” Delightful. ---
**Author:** ![XaMcQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/f9ae1b/32.png) [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/12 "2006-06-14T01:17:27Z")
All right, then. I pit this g-d-damned Administration for totally annihilating my last shred of trust in my government, and in the media. Is Zarqawi dead? Was he ever alive to begin with? Isn’t it convenient that his death takes the media attention off whatever total fuckup happened in Haditha? Just like I thought it was so convenient that Zarquawi himself beheaded an American just as the moral outrage for Abu Gharib were picking up some traction in America? I’m sick to death of thinking that my government is just acting out some huge ‘Wag the Dog’ show on a world-wide stage, with 500lb bombs as special effects. Happy now? ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/13 "2006-06-14T01:31:41Z")
> [@XaMcQ](#): > > All right, then. I pit this g-d-damned Administration for totally annihilating my last shred of trust in my government, and in the media. Is Zarqawi dead? Was he ever alive to begin with? Isn’t it convenient that his death takes the media attention off whatever total fuckup happened in Haditha? Just like I thought it was so convenient that Zarquawi himself beheaded an American just as the moral outrage for Abu Gharib were picking up some traction in America? > I’m sick to death of thinking that my government is just acting out some huge ‘Wag the Dog’ show on a world-wide stage, with 500lb bombs as special effects. > > Happy now? Much better. I score quite highly on the emotional outrage there, some nice allusions. Scores a bit high on the parnoia to be truly a classic, but should generate a good few responses. Overall, i would give it a 6 maybe a 7 if it garners some good rants as replies. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![Taran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Taran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taran)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/14 "2006-06-14T01:35:54Z")
Ah. Two questions, then: [Doesn’t the man we killed have two legs?](http://www.attytood.com/archives/003169.html) [Why didn’t we take care of business three years ago?](http://slacktivist.typepad.com/slacktivist/2004/10/where_in_the_wo.html) I don’t think we’re doing some totally artificial wag the dog thing; too many people would have to be in on it, and secrets like that are hard to keep. Remember Watergate? Still, it’s hard to join in the celebration of Zaqwhatever’s death knowing that none of the evil shit he did since 2003 had to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/15 "2006-06-14T02:16:15Z")
> [@XaMcQ](#): > > All right, then. I pit this g-d-damned Administration for totally annihilating my last shred of trust in my government If you mail a letter, do you trust that it will end up where you sent it? > [@XaMcQ](#): > > Is Zarqawi dead? Was he ever alive to begin with? Are you implying that he was actually a zombie terrorist? Also, his name last name is al-Zarqawi. > [@XaMcQ](#): > > Isn’t it convenient that his death takes the media attention off whatever total fuckup happened in Haditha? Just like I thought it was so convenient that Zarquawi himself beheaded an American just as the moral outrage for Abu Gharib were picking up some traction in America? I can see where there seems to be instances of coincidence withing a writhing clusterfuck, but it implies that we keep jaw dropping political and media tricks up our collective sleeves to cover up procedural errors on a whim. This may be the height of paranoid conspiracy fantasy. > [@XaMcQ](#): > > I’m sick to death of thinking that my government is just acting out some huge ‘Wag the Dog’ show on a world-wide stage, with 500lb bombs as special effects. Then stop, because they aren’t. Even if the desire was there, the ability isn’t. > [@XaMcQ](#): > > Happy now? Actually yeah, thanks. I feel much better now. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/16 "2006-06-14T02:19:10Z")
Not to hijack the thread, but is Osama’s Show going to come back? ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/17 "2006-06-14T11:08:39Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Oh, an include a “fuck” or three. I think there are plenty of them in this thread already. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/18 "2006-06-14T12:41:19Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#): > > I can see where there seems to be instances of coincidence withing a writhing clusterfuck, but it implies that we keep jaw dropping political and media tricks up our collective sleeves to cover up procedural errors on a whim. This may be the height of paranoid conspiracy fantasy. [In this case, paranoia might be justified.](http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200607/zarqawi/4) > [@](#): > > During my time in Jordan, I asked a number of officials what they considered to be the most curious aspect of the relationship between the U.S. and al-Zarqawi, other than the fact that the Bush administration had inflated him. > > One of them said, “The six times you could have killed Zarqawi, and you didn’t.” > > When Powell addressed the United Nations, he discussed the Ansar al-Islam camp near Khurmal, in northern Kurdistan, which he claimed was producing ricin and where al-Zarqawi was then based. On at least three occasions, between mid-2002 and the invasion of Iraq the following March, the Pentagon presented plans to the White House to destroy the Khurmal camp, according to a report published by TheWall Street Journal in October 2004. The White House either declined or simply ignored the request. > > More recently, three times during the past year, the Jordanian intelligence service, which has a close liaison relationship with the CIA, provided the United States with information on al-Zarqawi’s whereabouts—first in Mosul, then in Ramadi. Each time, the Americans arrived too late. As _Vanity Fair_ writer James Wolcott aptly put it, “the Jordanians practically tore their rotator cuffs clueing us in to his whereabouts.” And then there’s the degree to which his notoriety was an American creation in the first place: > [@](#): > > the former Jordanian intelligence official, who has studied al-Zarqawi for a decade…continued, “The Americans have been patently stupid in all of this. They’ve blown Zarqawi so out of proportion that, of course, his prestige has grown. And as a result, sleeper cells from all over Europe are coming to join him now.” He paused for a moment, then said, “Your government is creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.” > > Western and Israeli diplomats to whom I spoke shared this view—and this past April, The Washington Post reported on Pentagon documents that detailed a U.S. military propaganda campaign to inflate al-Zarqawi’s importance. Then, the following month, the military appeared to attempt to reverse field and portray al-Zarqawi as an incompetent who could not even handle a gun. But by then his image in the Muslim world was set. In general, much that would have been paranoid nonsense five years ago is old news now. The degree to which this Administration is willing to use techniques that are still called ‘torture’ by most, the existence of an extensive prison system around the world where such techniques are practiced, the degree of surveillance of Americans, the holding of people, both foreign and domestic, for years without charges, the outright lies about this war, both before and during, the apparent hijacking of U.S. foreign policy by a group called PNAC…if one isn’t paranoid by pre-9/11 standards, then one isn’t paying attention. This Administration has moved the bar a considerable distance. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/19 "2006-06-14T12:43:56Z")
> [@Taran](#): > > [Doesn’t the man we killed have two legs?](http://www.attytood.com/archives/003169.html) I seem to be missing the part of the article in which the Administration claimed he had his leg amputated. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2006, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613/20 "2006-06-14T13:06:36Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I seem to be missing the part of the article in which the Administration claimed he had his leg amputated. [Try this one](http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200607/zarqawi): > [@](#): > > U.S. officials, for example, had often reported that in 2002, al-Zarqawi had had one of his legs amputated in Baghdad, a claim presumably meant to substantiate a link between al-Zarqawi and Saddam Hussein’s regime. But he was later seen walking in a videotape, clearly in possession of both his legs. Some Bush administration officials called him a Jordanian-Palestinian, but in fact he came from one of the Middle East’s most influential Bedouin tribes. He was often reported dead, only to rise again. In recent years, some even suggested that he didn’t exist at all. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cancels-the-abu-zarqawi-hour/360613.md?page=2)