Why do we seem to be losing the propaganda war against the terrorists?
373709
I wouldn't say that people have forgotten about 9/11, but there are some who are trying to blame it on President Bush.  It's too bad really, how the President gets the rap for everything wrong in our country, including no WMD's found in Iraq.\nThe fact of the matter is, the news media reports what it wants the people to hear.  Bad news (e.g. the deaths resulting from the war, the Iraqis who turn on the newly forming government) make the headlines, even when it's "10 Marines killed in Iraq".  Why don't they ever use this headline:  "No deaths today in Iraq" or "Iraqi people hopeful about future"?  Because, that's not what people want to hear.  Even if either headline is the truth.\nTruth is subjective, really.  It depends on who's reporting it.  To the terrorists, the West is evil.  To some Americans, the West is evil.  To the news media, the President is the most vile creature to have ever lived.\nThe opinions of the people (disapproving of the war in Iraq, the President's ratings) only show how effective our news media really is.  When was the last time they said ANYTHING good about the war or the President?  When was the last time that they listened to the soldiers who are now fighting for the Iraqis' freedom?  They're the ones I listen to, which is how I support what we're doing.  If Kerry had won (shudder), I would support him for continuing what we started, and what HE helped to start.\nIt's too bad more people don't see it that way.  Instead, they just want to blame President Bush for everything, say they support our troops and then state that we can't win this war, and believe the ridiculous headlines in the media which are only a half-truth.\nI'll take what the left-leaning journalists say with a grain of salt, and the right-leaning ones too.  Many Americans don't seem to realize that the truth is somewhere in between.  Believing the internet is no better than many of the regular news sources in the US.  They have their leanings, too, and there is no way to get unbiased news anymore.\nTHAT'S where the public is making their mistake, and that's why we're losing the propaganda war.  The news media DOES hate President Bush.  Why else would they call the disclosure of declassified information a "leak"?
153235
The 'War on terror' is just a political stunt/excuse! Its never waste of time to the war mongers. Establishment of political & economic suprimacy over the others is the main theme of such act of barbarism. The tragedy is, the invaders dictate relationship, they neither make it nor shape it. Its just muscle-men's theory, which don't last long as we see in the history.\nIn the name of war on terror, protection of human rights, democracy, good governance bla-bla-bla, they are trying to destroy peace & harmony in today's world. But in the end, we understand, they will not be spared by the people in the Globe in tomorrows.
116522
The War on Terror is a different war than ever fought, and that's why it is so difficult to win. What people don't realize is that these terrorists or freedom fighters are fighting for what they so deeply believe in, and they are not part of an organized military. They can be anyone from Joe down the street, or Al-Mohhomed in Afghanastan. No one knows. The rest of the world is begining to realize that yes, this is a serious threat, and it harms more than the United Staes. Take the U.K bombings, and hotel bombing in Jordan. Al-Quida is terrorising people of the same faith. With this war there are no borders. I do not agree with George Bush, but I will say that he is correct in one aspect. We must stay the course until victory is ours. If we back down to people who threaten us, then that puts us and the rest of the world into a submissive situation, and then those people will begin to walk all over us. Once a victory is achieved by someone, that person wants more, and becomes power hungry. That is the situation with terrorists. The war on terrorism is a bitter stale-mate.
868402
I agree, the average person is not willing to think things out.  But I go the competely opposite direction of you.\n\nEveryone is saying that there is so much propaganda out there.  Like what?  Freedom fries?  Bush didn't make those.  Have you heard of 9-11?  In which the terrorists did attack america, very devastating.  If you put the word "bush" into a search engine, you get hate, how is that propaganda?  So what if the US has large Arab and Middle Eastern populations, that does not mean that they are terrorists.  What do you know about terrorists?  It is the radical Islam believers that are the terrorists, not necessary Muslims, and Arabs.  Laziness is bliss, in your side.  People say that WMD's were not found in Iraq, well, let me ask you this, If they were found, would the govt. be able to tell us? If you understand War, then you would know the answer is no.\n\nI don't act on fear, I have thought about both sides immensly, and notice that the other side is filled with propaganda that 59% of the American population is believing.  It is sad, really\n\nhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/05/AR2006110500770.html\nhttp://www.husseinandterror.com/\nhttp://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=6550&R\nhttp://www.intelmessages.org/Messages/National_Security/wwwboard/messages/826.html\n\nAnd this one, has foiled terrorist plots since 9-11.\n\nhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/10/20051006-7.html
761460
I believe we are fighting a war of \nPEACE THROUGH STRENGTH\n\nThe radical terrorists believe we are wrong - YES - but they also think we are weak and that is one of the reasons they attacked us.  We have to show them we are not.  Will that solve the problem  entirely - NO.  We'll work on the next phase after that.  this is not a ONE STEP war on terror.
467827
It's not just America fighting the war, we had the bus and tube bombings in London, but our fight started long before that. Spain have also suffered as have many other countries.\nIt's not just Americans against the terrorists it all of us.\n\nDo I think we're winning? It's voting time soon where I live and the only candidates standing are Asian. I went to the shops wearing an 'I Love NY' t-shirt and got spat at; no I don't think we're winning.
962575
Our being involved in this war is not the only answer. We need some way to motivate the non-fanatic Muslim group to clean up their own act. The only people who can win against Islamic fanatics are other Muslims. Right now, they have no reason to take action against their fellow Muslims. We need to change that somehow.
549045
the terrorists can and will use any form available to them to display their propaganda, not just the internet.\n\nWhat is their cause, no body really knows, but my feeling they are trying to make other nations hate the real Islamic people, (some of which I have met).  these people are friendlier than what people make them out to be.  After all they do share their peace with others.
825711
Im wondering what terrorists u are talking about\nThe war in Iraq is a CIVIL WAR.....Iraq is fighting against themselves....only about 5% of the players are foreign..... The United States are in the middle of it....... last month over 100 americans died..... and for what??  President Bush said that we are winning the war because we havent been attacked IN THE US since 9/11/01.... well before that we were attacked in 1993....... all those years between we werent at war in Iraq, so that arguement doesnt fly.\nwe need to get out of iraq and let them fight each other..... when they finish then we can go back and help them.... until then we are just cannon fodder......... u cant change an idea with a gun
249615
Why isn't it?  People from these countries want to kill us, does that change anything?  You do not sit around and allow yourself to be in a target position.  When we have been attacked we must fight back.  Terrorists had been attacking the U.S. interests for several years and had to do something really big to get our attention.  They did we all wanted something done about it yesterday and we have declared war back against them.  If they no longer want to fight with us all that need be done is turn in those terrorist's that are wanted by the FBI and have rewards for their capture.   After that is done I believe all sides will be able to get together and figure out how we can all live together without stepping all over each other.  Yes these are people as well and as such have just as much value to their lives as do we to ours.  You do not gain peace by turning the other cheek.
300349
Well in the rest of the world that is the news, and nothing sells like bad news. For USA I would have to say that your Media/Government, are constantly trying to keep your country in fear so they can control you, remember orange, green, purple or pink alert!!!\n\nFear is a way to control, why did USA attack Iraq? because of oil!!, but they got the people hooked on fear, so to protect yourself from fear you retaliate, fear is one of the easiest ways to control people, USA is a master of using fear tactics.
313545
What really frightens me is HOW America has gone about the war on terror. After 9/11 we had much the worlds sympathy and support, then Bush went after Iraq under false pretenses causing many countries to withdraw their support. Much of the public opinion in America toward Islam has become down right racist and many people that support the war on terror seems to revel in the idea of a genocidal war on Islam rather than a war against terrorists (just check out some of the answers to the religious questions on this site). Now America has to deal with huge backlash of hatred, and possibly more terrorist activities on American soil, because of its current foreign policy and, in my opinion, it has been our past foreign policies that have put us in this mess in the first place.
1023129
We can't WIN the war on terror.  It isn't that kind of war.  But what is the choice?  The arguments to the contrary sound like the arguments of a religious nut who says, "Don't go to the doctor about that fungus.  Just take vitamins and eat well and rest," all before the victim dies overgrown by the fungus.\n\nThe alternative is the slow growth like a cancer that we allowed by our silly passive behavior of the past as repeated strikes against us were ignored, or we spent our time scolding the terrorists while they laughed and recruited more for a bigger strike, then a bigger strike.\n\nBetter to make their lives so hard that people will know that they can always join the terrorist networks.\n\nAnd die the next month.\n\nIslam will not take over the world.  We'll destroy any organization that seeks that goal.\n\nSo will all brave and honorable people.\n\nWe will preserve all parts of Islam that don't have the goal of destroying or converting all "infidels".  There is too much of beauty and wisdom in Islam to lose.  But this kind of terrorism cannot be tolerated, or given a pass.  It must be confronted EVERY time it raises it's serpentine head.\n\nBetter than having self-appointed murderous butchers who videotape the beheadings of innocent civilians around.  \n\nZarqawi needed killing, regardless of his "importance".
303951
I bielieve that if the media totally started to egnore everything about terrorism and not did not report any of their attacks eventually the terorists tactics would not work for them. Most of what the terrorists are looking for is publicity. I know this seems imposible but if the world's governments got together and made it law it could be achieved.
601859
I have no idea why people are so against our military. My only guess is that they are liberal jack a**es that listen to the media too much. I personally believe that we should be in this War on Terror. And yes the question of what good it would do if we turned the other cheek, also ask yourself what good it would do for our country if we let the terrorist think that they could come over here kill thousands of people and get away with it.
733398
I agree 100% with you on this one!!!! There are 20,000 troops in that region, and I have several friends with whom I served with in the past in that region. From e-mail contacts my friends are saying that everything is "hush-hush"!!!! It is the media that has the "lose lips" with bogus reporting, and to win this war against terror most battles need to be kept in the dark!!!
1176387
It's simple. It's made us paranoid to the point we're becoming more like the countries we're trying to spread our "freedom" to. If this is what freedom is, no wonder they kill us for trying to give it to them.