Scared

Keeping with the terrorism motif of last time, read this:

"Asked if another attack like the underwear bomber or the Christmas attack would actually happen, vice president Joe Biden said, "Well, I think there are going to be attempts."

The vice president expressed optimism about Iraq, saying it could end up being "one of the great achievements of this administration."

"You're going to see 90,000 American troops come marching home by the end of the summer," Biden said. "You're going to see a stable government in Iraq that is actually moving toward a representative government."

He said he had visited Iraq 17 times, going every two or three months.

"It has impressed me," Biden said. "I've been impressed how they have been deciding to use the political process rather than guns to settle their differences.""

Lets look at the first line: "Well, there are going to be attempts."

What does this mean? Frankly, it means he doesn't know. But rather than admit that there is no way to know and that there probably won't be another devastating terrorist bombing, he dodges responsibility and inadvertently may induce unfounded panic. Read more here.


Now that last quote is worrying. If you do the math, going to Iraq an average of two times every five months means he has been to Iraq means he has been visiting the middle eastern country for almost five years. And he's "impressed {by} how they have been deciding to use the political process rather than guns."

While this may be directed at the new regime moving for a representative government, in which he is surprised that change is coming non-violently, or the old regime opposed to the constitution, the fact remains that Iraq, as well as many other middle eastern countries, are not barbarians and are perfectly capable of politics and government and were for years. Where do you think the first assassins came from? True, they may not share all our values, such as separation of church and states and woman's rights, but they know how to vote:

On October 15, 2005, more than 63% of eligible Iraqis came out across the country to vote on whether to accept or reject the new constitution. On October 25, the vote was certified and the constitution passed with a 78% overall majority, with the percentage of support varying widely between the country's territories.

And have known for a while: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire#Law