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Bush, Blair, Rumsfeld Remark on Ayman al-Zawahiri Tape ©

Again, the powers, super-powers that be, deny what is. Al-Qaida forces released a videotape. The intent was to share the Al-Qaida message with the Western-World. One of the top leaders of al-Qaida, Ayman al-Zawahiri, warned Britons and Americans, the policies of Prime Minister Tony Blair were to blame for the attacks on Britain. Al-Zawahiri assured an anxious public; more attacks will follow. Mr. Zawahiri stated, America will bring assaults on itself; "policies of aggression against Muslims" are the cause. Allies will experience the same.

Nonetheless, United States President George W. Bush stays strong. When asked of the terrorists tape, Mr. Bush asserted, the remarks of this al-Qaida leader do not threaten him. Mr. Bush said Mr. Zawahiri was and is a member of the terrorist group that attacked the United States on 9/11. King George II claimed it is because of persons such as Zawahiri that we are "at war." He stated Americans must stay the course; he declared they would. With the help of allies, the people of this nation will continue in their quest. We will, as he offered in years past, hunt down terrorists such as Ayman al-Zawahiri.

While speaking from his Crawford ranch, the President said, "We are defeating the terrorists in a place like Iraq so we don't have to face them here at home." He said the United States would press on, helping Iraqis write a constitution. The Western world will train Iraqi troops, and assist citizens in electing a permanent government.

Though Mr. Zawahiri warned Britons that Mr. Blair's policies "will bring upon them more destruction after the London explosions,” the Prime Minister is declining to comment. Tony Blair offered no words of wisdom to the media or to any other source.

In the past, Blair strongly rejected any tie between the attacks and Britain's role in Iraq. Days after the Pew Charitable Trust Project reported that Muslims do support aggressions against the Western-World, specifically because of Iraq war policies, Blair denied the connection.

Please read my earlier reflection on this. BLAIR AND THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER DIFFER ON TERRORISM ©

As of today, British police have not discovered definitive connections. They will not state with certainty that the London bombers are linked to al-Qaida; yet, the two groups that claim responsibility for the assaults avow that they are working with al-Qaida.

Though Blair said nothing, Secretary of State Rumsfeld did voice his feelings on the video feed. Rumsfeld denies there is a tie. He says of the accusation, “Its nonsense.” The Secretary State, states the goal of terrorism is to place fear in the hearts of the West; it has nothing to do with America-Iraq war policy.

Fascinating. One can only wonder, does the President read? Does the Prime Minister understand what research establishes? Can the Secretary be so oblivious? Do they not realize that Muslims are up in arms and American policies, past, present, and apparently, future, fuel the fire of insurgents?

BLAIR WOKE UP POST 9/11. THE WORLD WENT BACK TO SLEEP. ©

OH REALLY? REALITY IS PERCEPTION. © [THE SERIES CONTINUES]
I offer the quotes, and you decide. Is this reality or perception?

Stagnation is not possible for this series; stimulation is everywhere. The British and American governments offer much material. In this the era of “metamorphosis,” meanings are malleable, dictums are delicately posed. War is wonderful; it is a means for “spreading democracy,” freedom, and liberty. Forgive me, I digress.

I share this recent release; decide for yourself, and please, share your thoughts. Do these words present the truth or a shrewd discernment?

The stage is set. On Tuesday July 26, 2005, Prime Minister Tony Blair holds a press briefing. The healthy and glowing Blair appears. He is well prepared, looking the part. He always is and does. Please read this Daily Times report, Secret of Tony Blair’s healthy glow revealed and discover why this is. On this day, as on all others Mr. Blair plays a strong and solid leader; questions come, and rapidly, he retorts.

When BBC's James Landale requested a definitive answer, is there "any contributory factor" between Iraq and the London bombings, the British leader offered this . . .

"Whatever excuse these people use, I don't think we should give one inch to them. September 11 for me was a wake-up call; a lot of the world woke up for a short time, then turned over and went back to sleep again,” however, Blair continues.

"It's an obscenity to say it is concern for Iraq [that] drives these people to terrorism," he goes on. "We shouldn't allow them a vestige of an excuse."

Please express your thoughts. Do you believe Blair is attentive and aware? Did you awake, only for a moment after 9/11, and are you now asleep again? Is it ludicrous to think terrorist bombings are an outgrowth of the Bush/Blair/American/British invasion? Is this concept an excuse? Hmmm?

My thought . . . speaking of excuses, this pretext serves as one. Accuse the other of wrongdoing, present them as the enemy, as “evil,” and you can validate your own aggressions!

BLAIR REGRETS KILLING, BUT, BRAZILIANS PROTEST ©

Days after the “mishap” an innocent man lies dead, deprived of a full and fulfilling life. The British police killed the Brazilian electrician and Prime Minister Tony Blair offers his regrets. However, he does not apologize. He justifies.

Susan Scott, author of Fierce Conversations is sensitive to words, how they are used, and received. She is cognizant, words imply more than what they seem to say. Ms. Scott writes, “We are guaranteed to offend others when we present our impressions and interpretations as truth.” She, and other communication experts, are aware of the effects of “but.” When said, “but” denotes, ignore all that I said earlier, what I really mean is what I am about to say.

The British leader Blair said, “But!” and people are upset.

Knowing that words were necessary after the “accidental” killing of a blameless man, Blair spoke, belatedly. He said, "We are all desperately sorry for the death of an innocent person and I understand entirely the feelings of the young man's family, BUT we also have to understand the police are doing their job in very, very difficult circumstances.”

The de Menezes family did not receive Blair’s words well. Nor did the citizens in the hometown of Jean Charles de Menezes. Those in Gonzaga, Brazil took to the streets. They came out in droves. These citizens demanded the arrest of those British police officers responsible for the slaying. They stated the Prime Minister's apology did not go far enough. "Apologies don't help, we want justice!"

Some of the protesters held banners condemning the killing; others carried photographs of Jean Charles, all loudly proclaimed the British police are the real terrorists. Calls were heard throughout the crowd urging British Prime Minister Tony Blair to send the young man’s body home for a proper and honorable burial.

The Brazilians marched on cobblestone streets chanting, praying, and shedding tears for the fallen 27-year-old electrician. They recalled the gentle man, Jean Charles de Menezes. Friends and family spoke of his dreams. The trained professional left Brazil to work in Britain; he planned to return home with his savings. Jean Charles would buy land, invest in cattle, and develop a prosperous ranch. However, his dreams were scattered in an instant. Eight shots tore through this man’s body and his life drew to a violent end.

Yet, Tony Blair blasted "Had the circumstances been different and had this turned out to be a terrorist, and they [the police] had failed to take that action, they would have been criticized the other way." The Prime Minister expressed his truth; the police could not win, either way. Many are left to wonder, who did win? Certainly it was not Jean Charles de Menezes.

BLAIR AND THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER DIFFER ON TERRORISM ©

On Saturday, July 16, 2005, Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke to the British people; his intent was to reassure an anxious public. However, Blair’s words would fall on deaf ears. Numerous citizens had read the Pew Research Project report only days earlier.

This survey states there is substantial support for terrorism in six Muslim-majority countries. Citizens in Jordan and Pakistan support Bin Laden now, more than they had in the past.

The results of this Pew poll were released on July 14, 2005. The Project assessed the attitudes of citizens residing in Morocco, Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia, Jordan, and Lebanon. The evaluation has been ongoing for the past two years. Persons are surveyed and interviewed. This most recent polling took place between the months of April and mid-June 2005. In total, 17,000 persons are and were consulted. The margin of error varies by country. In some, it could be as low as 2 percentage points, in others, as high as 4 percent.

Western world headlines did not share the truth of “substantial support”; instead, they touted another. See the Los Angeles Times report. Television, radio, and print journalists exclaimed public approval for Osama Bin Laden and acts of terrorism against civilian targets is slipping in some Muslim-majority countries. Headlines did not state that sponsorship is still significant. This latter statement was buried beneath the banners.

Muslims in these six countries were asked of suicide bombings against Americans and other Western nations; the response among many was these are justified. Numerous persons stated countries involved in the Iraq invasion should suffer. 24% of those in Turkey said yes, this violence has cause. 49% in Lebanon and Jordan agreed. Of those in Morocco, 56% were in favor of these attacks. Countless expressed, violence against the Western world is defensible.

Yet, Prime Minister Blair told a different tale. Blair declared, “If it is Iraq that motivates them, why is the same ideology killing Iraqis?” The British leader assured the community. He adamantly declared, “Such violence was not in response to any particular policy.” He attributed the aggression to "fanaticism," proclaiming this must be “confronted.” Blair encouraged English citizens to stand strong; there is no reason for British troops to leave Iraq. Actually, according to his assessment there is now greater reason to stay and fight.

Blair too, could point to the research. There were sanguine signs; more Muslims feel threatened by possible terrorist attacks. When asked if they felt confident that Bin Laden was doing “the right thing regarding world affairs,” less felt that he was. In the last two years, numbers have fallen in four of the six Muslim-majority countries. Since the last poll, citizens in five of the six countries are less inclined to sponsor terrorist acts.

The question “Do you consider terrorist violence a threat in your own country,” garnered an interesting response. Seventy-three percent of Moroccans said they did, 52% of Pakistanis felt the same. Among the Turks, 47% felt certain that terrorist attacks against civilians could, and likely would take place in their homeland. 45% of Indonesians thought they too could easily be the victims of such aggression. For those residing in these nations, the personal nature of the threat may be the reason for the shift. However, in Pakistan it made no difference. Pakistanis, as a whole, strongly support anti-American attacks, now more than ever.

Director of the Pew Research Center, Andrew Kohut, did not address the lack of effect in Pakistan; however, he did reflect upon the shift in other territories. He theorized, "People are tiring of terrorism in these places." Kohut speculated that many persons within these countries have endured hardships as a result of these attacks. Family and friends were, possibly, victims of terrorist violence. Some may not have survived; those that did may be permanently less able. This may be the reason for the change. When the wounds of war are felt personally, people reconsider the righteousness of conflict.
Witness, a BBC report, UK Muslims issue bombings fatwa.

Nevertheless, Kohut admits, for the most part, figures show there is "a pretty substantial body of support" for terrorist assaults. Citizens in Islamic countries still believe that deadly attacks in defense of Islam are valid.

This sentiment is expressed most strongly in Jordan and Pakistan. In these two nations, faith in Bin Laden is stronger now than it was in the past. In Jordon the increase was 5%; in Pakistan, the rise was 6%. Sixty percent of those surveyed in Jordan and 51% in Pakistan say they have "a lot" or "some" confidence in the Al Qaeda leader. They think violent terrorist actions are worthy. The general public thinks Osama Bin Laden is doing, and will do the right thing. Interestingly, the Whitehouse considers each of these countries important allies.

Nevertheless. Research and reason do not change current policy. Please read, "UNDERSTANDING THE U.S.-IRAQ CRISIS", by Phyllis Bennis, the Institute for Policy Studies, January 2003. The knowledge of what Western-nations create does not alter the course of action. That the Pew poll reveals what citizens of England have long feared, does not sway the steadfast stance of Blair. Nor does it influence Bush.

It is true; the United Kingdom, and likely, the United States, is in danger; violent terrorist attacks are probable. The Bush/American/Blair/British involvement in the Iraq war is the cause for great concern. The recent London bombings prove this.

Yet, Prime Minister Tony Blair presses on, as does United States President George W. Bush. Blair and Bush ignore the essence of the Pew Research Project evaluation. They each continue to choose engagement. This decision may not be wise and evidence demonstrates it is not.

There are reasons to believe that the Bush/American/Blair/British war policy was the reason for terrorist aggression in London on July 7, 2005. The same was true for the rebels strike in Madrid, Spain, on March 3, 2004. There are grounds for heeding warnings. Words of denial cannot lessen what is. Woe is warranted.

Please consider London Bombers Tied to Al Qaeda Plot in Pakistan, by ABC correspondents, Brian Ross.

In these last days, my earlier expressed optimism has waned. I had thought Blair might become his own man, separate from Bush and the Bushites. I was in error. I learned. My hope is Prime Minister Blair will learn from his miscalculations; the people of the United Kingdom share this hope. For Bush, learning has always been a very slow process.