How fascinating. It seems, indeed, that this model for terror was established long ago.

All is certainly not lost in Iraq. I have always believed that taking out Saddam was the right thing. And I agree that rooting out terror and evil is vital and that we shouldn't be discouraged just because it is a slow process.

I am saddened to learn of Pearl's father's illness. My thoughts and prayers are with Yaakov Arieh ben Chaya Malka and his entire family at this time. I will add his name to the mesheberach list at my shul.

Stacey:

Always wonderful to hear from you. It's just awful about Pearl's father, yes. She will greatly appreciate your davening.

The Battle of Algiers is the template for everything we're seeing now. The brutality of Jihad, the attack on civilians, it's all been done before.

The book is just gut-churning. I can barely sleep at night after reading certain details.

We should have realized these Jihadists would reach our shores sooner than later. Their war has nothing do do with oil, nothing to do with our troops on their lands.

It is our very existence.

Robert, dear, get a clue: The terrorists, meaning al Qaeda, are not the ones pulling Iraq to the brink of Civil War. Obfuscate may work in Hollywood.

Robert, this is really scary and hard to read. I realize, though, it's something we need to understand and not turn our backs on.

I too, (and for once this is not shameless, self-promotion) have a post up about Pearl.

I only mention this because I think Pearl would love your comments and wishes. Pearl is always so giving...it would be nice if we could rally around and give back to her.

Pearl, if only a babka would help, you know I'd send one.

What a strong entry, Robert. Today your prose crests, like a rising wave.
Is the Carlos of that excellent article also "Carlos the Jackal"?
In Paris, I snapped a photo of an office for veterans of that Algerian war. Some Frenchmen remember.
Will pray for Yaakov Arieh ben Chaya Malka.
We are lucky to have you.

Randi:

Yes, it is hard to read and harder to face. But if we don't we will end up like the Europeans, overrun by a savagely hostile Muslim population.

Your post about Pearl is appropriate and beautiful.

Jeremiah:

No, it's not Carlos The Jackal. He was not a theoretician and killer, merely a cold-blooded murderer and a mercenery in the latter stages of his bloody career.

Yes, there are Frenchmen who remeber Algeria and are very bitter, and hate what's happening to their country. It's interesting, but Israel and America count on the French intelligence agencies for quality material. They still have old hands who served in Algeria and Morocco and Tunisia. Who know the terrain, who are appropriately ruthless. The English MI5, on the other hand, are absolutely useless. Winston Churchill must be spinning in his grave.

Glad you like the post.

Pearl, wishing your father a speedy recovery.

I can't believe I've never heard of that incident. Now I definitely have to get my hands on the book!

When the misguided politicians and defeatists like Barbara Boxer, Harry Reid, Pat Buchanan and their ilk get up and cry retreat.....keep in mind the bloody savagery described in the book.

This nation needs to remain focused....because make no mistake....that is exactly what the Islamofascists have in mind for us.

Pearl...I want you to know that prayers are being said for your father in Jerusalem.

My dear friend, Yonah, assured me it would be taken care of....Do know that you are not far from our thoughts.

Irina:

The book was published in 1977, so it's not surprising that you never heard of the incident. The Battle of Algiers was filled with so many atrocities it will make you sick.

Your thoughts for Pearl's father will be greatly appreciated, I'm sure.

Lance:

A group of Muslims in France just tortured, for days on end, a young Jewish man, Ilan Halimi, to death. Yes, it's what they have in mind for all of us who are not Muslim.

Your prayers for Pearl's father are deeply appreciated.

Thank you, Robert. Thank you, fellow Seraphic Secret readers. Thank you, Jobber.

"Learning Patience" is what my family and I have to do now. Sit, wait, hope and pray.

I already told my mother, my husband and one of my brothers that I have bloggers galore davening for my dad. I think they were a bit overwhelmed with that knowledge, as am I. But do know that it's a good feeling to have people I've never met, and barely know, caring about my father's speedy and complete recovery. Thank you.

Pearl:

When you are a member of the Seraphic Secret community...you are a member for life.

Like the mafia....only much more moral. ;)

Pearl:

We are deeply sorry that your father is ill. I know that all Seraphic Secret readers, commenters and lurkers are thinking and praying for him. Our thought are with you and your family day and night.

Robert, for my own education...if WMD's didn't matter, then why didn't the administration just tell the truth about why we were going into Iraq, rather than tell us it was WMD's? I heard that interview on Larry Elder with the Syrian General...why is he coming out now with this information?
And what about the close Bush relationship to Saudi Arabia? How does that affect us going in and doing what is necessary?

Lance, I won't be waking up with a horse's head in my bed tomorrow morning, will I?
Now, on the other hand, if I found some canolies...

Randi.....you right winged pet may have some ideas. ;)

I think Richard Hofstadter (Paranoid Style in American Politics) does a good job of describing comment #1: “Since the enemy is thought of as being totally evil and totally unappeasable, he must be totally eliminated—if not from the world, at least from the theatre of operations to which the paranoid directs his attention. This demand for total triumph leads to the formulation of hopelessly unrealistic goals, and since these goals are not even remotely attainable, failure constantly heightens the paranoid’s sense of frustration. Even partial success leaves him with the same feeling of powerlessness with which he began, and this in turn only strengthens his awareness of the vast and terrifying quality of the enemy he opposes.”

Randi....I am going to take a stab at your question.

As has been documented many times....Bush, Blair, and many other governments were under the impression, based on intelligence, that Saddam indeed had WMD's. Of course, we know now this was faulty information....or was it?

There have been rumors that the WMD's were whisked away to Syria....but nothing has yet been verfied. I wont say proven, since I think that was indeed what happened.

But, even if Bush didnt have the pretext of WMD's...Saddam had violated every known UN resolution. He continually butchered and raped his own people....and certainly he was causing trouble in the region by supporting terrorists and suicide bombers.

So....in conclusion...the WMD's...or lack thereof is just a smoke screen.

Bush and the free world had every context to invade and kill off this tyrant.

Randi:

As far Saudi Arabia.....the "close relationship" is a myth created by Michael Moore and his Hollywood moon-bat pals.

The fact is, in my opinion, is that Saudi Arabia's influence is deep in every branch of government

It affects both sides of the aisle.

I dont think Bush gives a rats p'toot what the Saudi's think about his war on terror. If he did, he never would have gone into Iraq....and Afghanistan.

Randi:

Let me just add this:

You must understand that all wars are fought for a variety of reasons. All American Presidents give one reason at the begining of the war and it might not be the exact reason he's initiating the conflict. It's called politics.

Lincoln did not say he was going to war to free the slaves--he knew people didn't want to hear that. So he said it was "to preserve the Union." But he always had in mind to free the slaves.

FDR knew he was going to get into WWII, but he promised America that he would not get involved in European conflicts when he was running for Pres. Then he just waited for a pretext to get involved and Pearl Harbor happened.

Bush used WMD's to nudge the nation along. But he knew that Saddam was a huge threat to world peace and just had to be taken out. The WMD stuff is not important to me. I happen to think they are in Syria.

That's how wars are brought to Democracies. What's so different now is the media is voracious and basically anti-American and still fighting the Viet Nam war. They do not understand evil.

Robert wrote:

What's so different now is the media is voracious and basically anti-American and still fighting the Viet Nam war. They do not understand evil.

How totally true.
I believe that the New york Times is seditious....as are many members of the press.

Could you imagine a newspaper during WWII actively rooting for America to lose?

That is the nature of today's "adversial" press. They want America to lose....that is why blogs like Little Green Footballs, Seraphic Secret, etc....have become so popular. People are looking for real information.....not the pap fed by the mainstream media.

I think the good news is that American soldiers will probably never have to resort to the torture methods the French used in Algeria thanks to our new technologies in warfare. We may not be able to shoot quickly and leave, but I don't think there are too many American soldiers with the kind of deep-seated hatred of Iraqis that the French had for the native Algerians. Abu Ghraib was bad, but it appears it was borne out of immaturity and sleep-deprivation, not hatred. It's amazing how often American soldiers have rejected hate, or at least refused to hold it for too long. The Civil War, World War I, World War II... they were all fought with soldiers really hating the enemy in a visceral way. And that hatred faded really, really quickly when the wars were over. My uncle closely advised MacArthur at the end of WW II and into his military governorship of Japan, he is now one of the greatest lovers of Japanese culture, language and history I have ever met. So again, the good news is the Algerian war tells us a lot of bad stuff about our enemies... and thankfully not so much bad stuff about us. And take heart... despite the whining, I think the American people will back this war to the end.

Well, I will say one thing about Seraphic U...ask and ye shall be answered. Thank you all for your answers. I will ponder the info. (you notice I did not say take to heart). If we are in Iraq, then we must follow through with Saudi Arabia, and Iran. This is all very daunting.

Randi.....Just keep listening to Ms. Parrot and you won't go wrong. ;)

Jake:

There is no way Americans would ever do what the French Paras and Legionaires did in Algeria. Uh-uh. No way. We're talking going totally medieval.

What Saddam did was torture. Ditto for every single Arab country in the world. Without exception. And that includes the Unites Arab Emirates. They are a bunch of killers in bespoke suits.

Read the book, you'll know torture and you'll place Abu Gahraib in proper perspective. That was not torture. That was frat stuff.

Personally, I think we need to hate these Jihadists a bit more. There is nothing wrong with hating evil people who are working towards your destruction. In fact, it's a mitzvah.

Randi:

I'm not really interested in convincing you that I'm right.

My only interest is in clarifying history and its relation to what's going on in the world right now. I'm confident that once the facts are in, you will draw the proper conclusions all by yourself.

That's how much faith I have in you.

And your trigger finger.

'Cause G-d knows, you are going to need it.

Robert, I firmly believe there is pure evil in the world. As evidenced by 9/11. I have no doubt we have some major fighting to do all over the world to deal with it. When you have people rioting over cartoons, our problems are bigger than we know.

Randi:

The thing is, they are not rioting over cartoons. That's just a pretext. What's really going on is old fashioned intimidation. They're trying to shut down democracy by establishing that their laws (they make them up as they go along) trump our laws.

They are showing that their threats of violence can can shut down freedom of speech.

And the Mainstream Media cowered like dogs and let them win that round. They did not even put up a decent fight.

Heck, little Denmark fought, even some French newspapers fought. But The NY Times, The LA Times, etc, just laid down and died. Disgraceful.

Again, it has nothing to do with cartoons. It's all about power.

Even the Bush Administration now admits there was no collaboration between OBL and Saddam. The 9/11 Commission found no collaboration between OBL and Saddam. No one except hard-right whackjobs still believe there was any connection between OBL and Saddam.

There are such things as “just wars” and there are even specific criteria for a just war.

A famous Indian scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, is all about getting the hero, a charioteer named Arjuna to take up arms and fight in a just war.

But everything I and various investigative bodies have learned about our misadventure in Iraq have concluded that we really had no business invading. There is much more that could be said, but I wanted to clarify this point for you. I’ll only add, that it’s my belief that we are going to pay big time for this blunder.

Those of you who talk about evil so much, how about the taking of jobs away from Americans like myself and shipping overseas? Oh it doesn't affect you so it's cool?

It continues to remain shameful how a so called orthod. Jew ignores the plight of his actions.

His attempts at putting together a little cult, is rememiscient of the Nazis, Yemach Shimom.

You are not allowed to disagree w/ his hero bish. If you do, you are seditious, and a bunch of other $20 words.

I wish he had a blog back when Clinton was the Pres. What he would have said about what's her name. At least we had work then.

Even the Bush Administration now admits there was no collaboration between OBL and Saddam. The 9/11 Commission found no collaboration between OBL and Saddam. No one except hard-right whackjobs still believe there was any connection between OBL and Saddam.

There are such things as “just wars” and there are even specific criteria for a just war.

A famous Indian scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, is all about getting the hero, a charioteer named Arjuna to take up arms and fight in a just war.

But everything I and various investigative bodies have learned about our misadventure in Iraq have concluded that we really had no business invading. There is much more that could be said, but I wanted to clarify this point for you. I’ll only add, that it’s my belief that we are going to pay big time for this blunder.

Those of you who talk about evil so much, how about the taking of jobs away from Americans like myself and shipping overseas? Oh it doesn't affect you so it's cool?

It continues to remain shameful how a so called orthod. Jew ignores the plight of his actions.

His attempts at putting together a little cult, is rememiscient of the Nazis, Yemach Shimom.

You are not allowed to disagree w/ his hero bish. If you do, you are seditious, and a bunch of other $20 words.

I wish he had a blog back when Clinton was the Pres. What he would have said about what's her name. At least we had work then.

It is too bad more people are unaware that outsourcing of jobs has been going on for more than 20 years.

Robert, I'm curious. On the one hand, you support "ruthlessness;" in the past you've expressed support for killing civilians and even for torture. But it seems to me that the lesson of this post, on the other hand, is that totally ruthless behavior on our part plays right into the terrorist game plan. How do you reconcile this?

Remember, despite (or perhaps because of?) their policy of burtality-for-brutality, the French LOST in Algeria. So short of wiping out the entire Muslim population of the world, how can we win this war using military tactics alone?

Jack, but not w/ the ferocity that has been going on since around 2001. Then they still let in foreigners on B1 Work visas. Allowed 4 times as many all these years until this year. Why? so Bill Gates can pay these foreigners 80% less than the American. Good old capitalism, use your influence, to line your pockets, so I can sit at home.

This is OK w/ you? I'd like to see you, sit at home for over a year while you could have been working. I'd like to see what would happen to Robert if suddenly they took all the screen writing and put it into India.

It’s nice to see that Robert does know about wars that America has fought in. And yes, the Algerian war was nasty, brutal and full of terror, on all sides. Would it surprise you to know that the Algerian war is one of the reasons that I don’t support this war? If you look at French sources, the Algerian war is one of the reasons they didn’t support this one; they could see the paralells, even if we can’t.

The lack of mixing between the occupiers and the occupiees, the racial schisming, the torture, the clueless leaders, the desire by the average everyday occupiee to have the occupiers go home, the insurgency/freedom fighters, it’s all there. The French played this game and they lost. Is there another conclusion to be drawn?

And to be perfectly honest, how on earth to you see the movement to liberate Algeria as a jihad only? Yes, religious rhetoric was used, and religion came into play? But you had people who were trying to take back their own country.

Sounds a darn sight more like people we should be helping than people we ought to have bombed.
Oh, and Robert? The seventh century? Bloody in the Middle East, though not quite as bad as many people seem to think. The eighth-tenth century? The Asian contient was definitely the hot spot of the globe. Come on, didn’t you even get Sinbad read to you? Go find a decent global timeline. Europe had Charlemagne and a lot of tribal conflict. The Middle East and China had art, science, literature, travel, culture…all sorts of good stuff. The Renaissance was jumpstarted by the Reconquista, if you recall.

The difference bet. Robert and me.

Robert has a noble idea. There should be no terrorism, anywhere, ever again.

To accomplish this goal, he has so far lost bet. 2-3000 American holy lives. (Forgive me; I don’t know the exact count). On a daily basis, at least one American holy martyr is killed just about. Then there are those who will be scarred and maimed for life, missing limbs and such. The cost to provide for their needs will be borne by the tax payer. (The aggregate estimate for this so far is 3 trillion $).

Still we have no alternative to the Arabs oil. We could develop alternatives, but this does cost money. Still we have not enough jobs for Americans. In my sector, software development, the only jobs there are is bec. Someone retired. That is how I got mine finally after over 3 yrs. (1 year sitting at home 2 years as a messenger boy.)

Let’s say we hadn’t gone into Iraq. So we would have these thousands of holy martyred Americans alive. Now maybe there would have been a terrorist attack on US soil. BTW, we should not be so provincial regarding our great efforts. There have been hundreds of AL Keida attacks, such as in Bali, in London, Madrid, and so many more. So let’s say even there were deaths from this potential attack IN the US. So the Americans would have to learn to be nobler, as they are in Israel. It will not be easy. I recall a week after 9/11, in NYC on Fifth Ave. there was a suspicious box bet. 5th and 6th, 34th St. in the heart of the city. Police were telling people to go via 35th or elsewhere. The groaning and whining I heard, you would not believe. They had already forgotten about a week earlier as we saw in horror people walking from downtown covered in soot.

But in Israel, when I visit there once a year, and hopefully G-d willing more often, one of the high points of my trip, is seeing how the Israelis adhere to the constant security demands, the going through metal detectors, the baggage checks, with a seriousness and understanding, that I was not aware of, in the Israeli character. Americans would learn a little patience. Of course, it is still very likely that they can and will strike on US soil. We don’t really understand all of their moves.

Still there would not be as many incidents due to the fact that the terrorists in Israel live there on the west bank.

We are not seeing American Arabs behave in such a way by and large. We would still have a huge Intelligence & military effort.
To get the actual terrorists, to prevent their actions. But even if there were a few bombings here and there, the number so lives lost, would be less. We would not have to bankrupt our country and the future.

Sara:

Thanks for asking. We are in an entirely different situatuation than the French in Algeria.

1. Israel is not a colonial force occupying Arab land. If you think otherwise, uh, you're Hamas.

2. The Palestinians are overwhelmingly in favor of destroyng Israel. They just proved it by voting into power a genocidal political power. They did not vote them in to fix pot holes. That's just a lie and please, you know the meaning of cognitive dissonance.

3. Force must be met by overwhelming force.

However:

I have never had the chance to develop the second part of my anti-terror thesis and that is:

1. We must do our best to demonstrate that our way of life is better than theirs.

2. Show that democracy is better.

3. That capitalism is better than socialism/communism/facism/Islamism/whathaveyou

4. Offer medical/dental services, etc. CAUTIOUSLY.

For instance, I do not see the million Arab citizens of Israel rushing to go live in Gaza. I wonder why?

I'm writing about Algeria to show how barbarians use terror to bring demacracies to their kness by their willingness to butcher innocent people.

Wait until you read Part III. The FLN proceeded to terrorize the Casbah just as the Al Zaqari is terrorizing the Sunni triange now. Just as the PLO used to collect "taxes" from Pali neighborhoods for "the revolution."

The idea is to terrorize your own people before turning to the enemy. Making the lives of your people easier is of little signifigance.

As always, it's about grabbing and maintaining power.

And Hamas will do the same thing, but their methods will make the PLO look tame. I guarantee it.

Sara, always a pleasure to hear from you. Your questions force me to develop my thoughts nice and early in the morning, just when I finish davening.

First, Pearl, I am praying for your Dad and your whole family as you go through this difficult time.

Second, thanks to Robert for his always thought provoking posts. On 9/11 I was at a friends house in CT desperately trying to reach my husband who was working in New York. When the second plane hit the 2nd tower, I remember saying "oh my G-d, we're at war!". When Bush made the "faux pas" referring to a "crusade" (which he had to retract) I knew he was spot on. Since 9/11 my husband lost his job and has fought some stress related medical issues. I've been forced to take a little craft business and try and replace our yearly income. Not an easy task...but you know what...we're almost there. My husband started a new job this week and it seems we (fingers crossed) might have our best year ever financially. Did my family know any of this? No. Friends? No. Did I expect them to fix it or help or anything? No. This is America...where you can take a few goats in your back yard, make a few bars of soap from their milk and in a few short years be in 50+ retail outlets. Has it been difficult? Absolutely. Are we out of the woods? Nope. Do I blame it on 9/11 or Bush or the unemployment figures or mental illness? No.

As humans we do things we need to do to survive. When I sold Life Insurance I would never approach a prospect by saying "here's the actuarial table...you will die at age 82". I had to sell them on the idea of taking care of their family. Preserving the bloodline...living forever by providing your family with the means to survive should something happen to you.

This war on terror is essential. Members of the Armed Forces are paying our premiums for us and I am forever grateful. Those who don't remember the past are doomed to repeat it we need to finish what we've started.

Lisa:

I know that Pearl greatly appreciates your prayers for her father.

Your post is deeply moving and I have nothing to add except to say to all Seraphic Secret readers that all the members of my family use your Goat Soap and love it. It's the best.

I have to ditto Robert's sentiments about GoatBoy soap products.

My sister, Gail and I, just love the soap, and have noticed remarkable results.....skin isnt dry....and much more supple. Let me tell you....living in the dry Las Vegas desert, you learn to moisterize....or you have the dry uncomfortble feeling throughout the day. GoatBoy soap is the best.....period.

Also...Lisa is a wonderful example of true American ingenuity. This is the true gift of America....anyone...with lots of hard work and creativity can make it.

Lastly, I want to echo Lisa's feelings about life insurance. I think anyone with a family SHOULD have life insurance.

LOL, sorry to go off on a rant you guys! I guess I was just feeling angry about the entitlements that start wars...be they large or small. I guess that's just human as well.

Lisa....Dont apologize.....

That is what I like about Robert....he doesnt apologize for his views...and stands by them.

It shows conviction....which you clearly have, Lisa.

Remember what Lao Tzu said in the Tao Te Ching:
Care about people's approval and you will be there prisoner.

Truer words were never spoken.

Sorry if I made it sound like we got a big severence package because we got nothing. We are Catholic so Yeshiva was not a problem. My husband was hospitalized and I had two young sons with asthma and other medical issues and the opportunity to COBRA insurance at 1500 a month. If you do the math that's alot of soap. I'm not suggesting anyone here get goats (altho they are adorable). I'm just saying that change happens and thank G-d we live in a country where you really can be anything you want to be.

Lisa:

You have nothing to apologize for. We're proud that you are our friend and a loyal reader and commenter. Do not pay attention to rude and inappropriate comments.

Robert you are the rude one. You think by avoiding me you are some kind of a righteous man, but you just avoid the truth.

The others here are fooled by your aloofness but not me.

Lisa, no need to apologize, but luck plays a very big part. Not the notion that the country somehow bestows greatness on you.

I know that you understand me.

I have tried many things in these 4 years, and nothing has worked. I recognize that my menial part time works are not really the answer but there are no answers.

What I object to is the dogmatic acceptance of every thing this hideous president does, w/out questioning his economic policies.

He recently said that Ebay is the future.

So we will all just sell junk to one another? Why have a govenrnment if they are so uncreative?

BTW, We had to go over one year w/ no medical coverage, 4 children. Then we had to do this again for 3 months now. (almost done, just got my forms).

This concerns no one in Roberts camp, yet I am called rude and inappropriate.

I contend that Orthodox Judaism is incompatible w/ unbridled mean capitalism. Robert claims to be an Orth.Jew.

Luck had nothing to do with it. Hard work and a willingness to look outside myself and help others when I could is the only secret I know. Most of all, I look for people who inspire me with their faith, words and deeds and try to be a better person. I am honored to have met Robert, Karen and their readers.

Lisa,

You are right. Hard work makes all the difference.

So good to hear from you Pearl, still praying here!

Why did I ever think of screenwriters as stupid?

Solomon:

Maybe because most of the films you see are incredibly stupid.