Is al-Qaeda now meddling in Iraq's politics, or is this an antiwar smear

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. . . conflating legitimate concerns about the occupation and the brutality and oppression surrounding our country's involvement there with al-Qaeda in an attempt to paint opposition to their bloody imperialism as akin to terrorism and terrorists?


Al Qaeda building political arm in Iraq: General

Wed Aug 16, 2006

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Al Qaeda wants to build a political operation in Iraq to broaden its campaign against the U.S.-backed government, a top U.S. general said on Wednesday.

Citing intelligence mostly gathered since the death of al Qaeda's former leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in June, Major General William Caldwell said the militant group appeared to be refining its approach beyond bombings and beheadings.

"Al Qaeda in Iraq wants to present itself as a legitimate organization and is striving to increase its operational power by building a political base with a military wing," Caldwell told a news briefing. He did not give specific examples.

He said the militant group was producing propaganda to exploit Iraqi anger over high unemployment, poor security and unreliable supplies of electricity and fuel, and turn it against the government and its U.S. backers.

"Al Qaeda in Iraq, through the media and other grassroots propaganda, will promote a theme that portrays the Sunnis as under attack by coalition forces, and the government of Iraq as being corrupt," he said.


report: http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-08-16T174006Z_01_BUL656029_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-QAEDA.xml&WTmodLoc=Home-C2-TopNews-newsOne-9

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. Let's back up for a second. Where is there proof that there is

an "Al Qaeda" in Iraq? They killed some fat guy a couple of months ago they claimed was the "leader" - & at the root of the problem - it was all his fault & nothing has changed in the slightest. In fact this general guy says it's getting worse.

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2. amazing, I think, that we've heard nothing at all from their new nemesis

they named after they killed the other one.

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. I recall that the new guy was actually dead or something

The guy in the white headdress I think. The bullshit flies by so quickly it's very hard to keep track of.

[subterranean]

4. Before we invaded, there was no "Al Qaeda in Iraq"

If "Al Qaeda in Iraq" (to the extent that it exists) becomes an organized political force, it will only be because America helped to create it. However, I do not trust this report because it is nothing but speculation by a U.S. general. There are no examples to back his claims, and no statements from anybody affiliated with "Al Qaeda in Iraq."

Anyway, I don't think most Iraqis need Al Qaeda to tell them who to blame for high unemployment, poor security, unreliable electricity and fuel and a corrupt government. Obviously it's Bill Clinton's fault!

[angstlessk]

5. If America is good any ANYTHING it is good a branding..and we gave

Al Quida a brand recognizable all over the earth...pretty good for a previously unknown entity. Coke and Pepsi are FUMING! They have name recognition, any politician would KILL for same!

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6. the Bush regime wants to brand antiwar candidates

as akin to 'terrorists'

The War Party, the party that presided over 9-11 and the escape of the perps, have got their own monikers to worry about