Al-Qaeda Websites: Support For McCain, Joy Over Financial Crisis

Al-Qaeda is watching the U.S. stock market's downward slide with something akin to jubilation, with its leaders hailing the financial crisis as a vindication of its strategy for crippling America's economy through endless, costly foreign wars against Islamic insurgents.

And at least some of its supporters think John McCain is the presidential candidate best suited to continue that trend.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[Ono4Hoopono]

We should not give Al Qaeda any more press than is absolutely necessary for our national debate, and certainly not let their hate-speech drive our policy. It is a waste of time to second guess them. Take action for what is in our interests, and what will bring about true justice for these transgressors, as well as what will bring about justice in the world. Firstly because it is right, and secondly because it will eventually take the wind out of the sails of these organizations.

It was a big mistake to aggrandize them. We should have de-emphasized them and quietly brought them to justice in our best Constitutional manner. What strength and power we would have displayed to the world, what friends we would have won, what respect.

It is not too late. Let us strengthen ourselves by coming together and doing good both here at home and around the world, and remind everyone of why the United States has been a beacon of hope in the world. I know that beacon still burns in me and I'll bet it does in most of us. Let's stay focused on that and it will guide us through these troubled times. May the Al Qaedas of the world be swept up and disbanded in the wake of the peace we create by our positive actions and our generosity of spirit.

America the Beautiful. My country 'tis of thee. With liberty and justice for all.

[SpencersMom]

I don't think bin Laden can take ALL the credit for the financial meltdown and the erosion of our civil liberties. His BFF, Bush, had a major hand in it as well.

But they sure were successful when they teamed up to destroy America!

PEACE

[Nova16]

bin Laden aimed his wrath at the World Trade Center in an attempt to destroy the financial structure of the United States. It appears that he has succeded beyond his wildest expectations. al-Qaida needs no further attacks in this country, Bush/Cheney have provided enough failures with a phony, never ending war in Iraq which may cost 3 trillion before it is finally resolved, a deteriorating economy heading for a trash dump, galactic debt, a sorely divided nation and the loss of competitveness and prestige around the world. Why would he need another attack. We are wrecking ourselves quite well without any outside intervention.

[Durango]

You are right.

Bin Ladin should claim no credit for the implosion of our economy.

We did that all by ourselves.

[WorkingClass]

It was crooked bankers and crooked politicians that stole your money, your country and your birthright. I don't believe in Al-Qaeda. Or the invisible hand for that matter.

[Durango]

HuffPost's Pick

Of course al Qaida is claiming credit for the USA financial crisis.

In politics perception is often as important as the facts. Osama Bin Ladin claimed his jihadists destroyed the Soviet Union by driving them out of Afghanistan. This had just enough truth to make effective propaganda. (it was Afghanis who drove out the Soviets.)

Now they are making similarly exaggerated claims about economic warfare and the USA.

What we need to recognize is that al Qaida is fighting a war for influence WITHIN the Islamic world. It is not a war against the West. They are using the West as an excuse for the conflict. But what they seek is control of one or more Islamic countries.

Something they have been singularly unsuccessful at.

The places where they have had success are in areas wracked by war. In nations where the government has failed, such as Iraq, Afghanistan, the NW Frontier.

But they have never offered a convincing model of government. Have never offered the people they have been terrorizing a hope for a better life.

Which is what gives the West the opening we need to succeed in destroying them.

What is needed is intelligent leadership and good judgment. Something, at this point, we can only hope for from Barak Obama.

[Maxbyte]

It has long been rumored that bin-Laden's long term objective was to force the U.S. into "bankruptcy", perhaps believing that's what they did to Russia. But Al Qaeda's success to date has been largely chance, rather than skill and planning. How could ANYONE - other than his parents, siblings, close friends and Karl Rove - have known President "Wrong Way Goldfarb" Bush would have made a pit stop in Iraq and forget who he was supposed to be chasing? And how could ANYONE have known that a professed Conservative Republican President would have found a way to bankrupt the U.S. without anyone else's help?

[Mort]

If they're to blame, then they should have to pay for the bailout, not us!

[JoeKing]

Oh yeah. Imagine if the shoe was on the other presidential foot with this story. Fox "News" would be clammoring about it 24/7.

But no, al-Qaeda supports McCain.

Far out.

[gr8abz]

Based on recent reports (Richard Clark article) Osama Bin Laden is calling for an attack on US soil right before the election. Their reason is simple. They want John McCain in the White House. McCain strengthens the fundamentalist cause while bankrupting America on wars that can't be won. We need to spread this awareness through the bloggosphere ahead of time. If you want to fight Al Quaeda don't reward them by voting for McCain. We can't let a bunch cave dwelling psychos steer our electorate with such ease or we will never permit ourselves to have an intelligent leader elected President.

[ssg13565]

Could someone please explain the following quote from the article:

"From shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, al-Qaeda attacks to last year, U.S. defense spending rose from 3 to 4 percent of gross domestic product, but it remains far below the 45-year average of 5.5 percent. The Pentagon's budget for fiscal 2009 is $527 billion, a figure that does not include Iraq and Afghanistan war costs, which have totaled more than $800 billion since 2001. "

Are they saying that our defense spending is less than the 45-year average when you don't count the amount that would put it above that average? I think that is what's known as a tautology

Another fine example of Greenberg's law of the media, "If there is a number in a news item, then it is probably misleading."

[blueshield]

You may have missed it, but several years ago BushCo decided that some government costs, such as the wars, should not be included in the national budget.

So, they aren't counted. It's not a news misreport.

[SD leaker]

The US being of a murderous criminal rogue country is Al-Qaeda's victory.

[SD leaker]

One of Al-Qaeda 's victories is Palestine. Palestine will be free when and if the US gets ruined and can no longer give weapons to lsraeI's apartheid system.

[Durango]

Al Qaida has next to nothing to do with Palestine.

While they use Palestinians as a rally cry they have done nothing to help the situation there. And much to hurt them.

In fact what is remarkable is how little influence Osama Bin Ladin has had on the Palestinian issue.

[SD leaker]

The US paranoic criminal vvar mongering is Al-Qaeda's victory. It is ruining the US.

[NYCSocialWork]

Yup! You heard it here first...Al Qaeda prefers John McCain.

Hmmm...William Ayers...or Al Qaeda? Which presents the biggest threat?

[Hirnlego]

AQ cannot really win on the battlefield that is for sure...they need US presence to recruit new members... its a tough(er) sale otherwise.