Thursday, June 08, 2006
ZARK BLAST REAX (UPDATED)
Various responses to the de-aliving of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi:
* George W. Bush: “Last night in Iraq, United States military forces killed the terrorist al Zarqawi. At 6:15 p.m. Baghdad time, special operation forces, acting on tips and intelligence from Iraqis, confirmed Zarqawi’s location, and delivered justice to the most wanted terrorist in Iraq.”
* Gypsee: “Please Mr. Bush, do not speak on my behalf. I do not believe assassination=justice.”
* Flaming Fairy: “Scummy fascist bastard Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is dead. However, at least one person over at the BBC’s ‘Have Your Say’ is less than cheerful.”
* Zoloft Pony: “Two 500lb bombs right on his safe house. NOT SO SAFE NOW, IS IT, BITCH?!”
* Christopher Dickey: “His demise may have side effects that are very difficult to predict.”
* Glenn Reynolds (who supplies an abundance of other links): “I hope his end wasn’t entirely painless, though it seems likely that it was swift.”
* 5handgang: “Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has been killed!!! You may remember him from such films as Head Job and Gunfight at the Al-Queada Corral.”
* Dan: “Anyone that doesn’t appreciate the fact that it’s a good day for the world that this bastard is dead, can kiss my lily white ass.”
* Emperor Nexus: “HAH! He got Pwnd in an Air Strike!”
* Alpha Patriot: “Oil prices dropped on the news of his death, and that’s always good.”
* Preemptive Karma: “Okay, so Zarqawi’s been 86’ed. When do our troops come home?”
* Al: “This is a wonderful day for Americans, our military, and the good people of Iraq who are trying to achieve a normal life for themselves.”
* Michael Berg, whose son Nick was beheaded by Zarqawi: “I have no sense of relief, just sadness that another human being had to die ... This will just bring a new cycle of revenge killings.”
* Ed: “Nick Berg’s father, described as a Green Party pacifist, does not think this is that great of a victory because it is just more killing. This wimp is not even worthy of living in the land of Oz. Even the munchkins celebrated when the first wicked witch had a house dropped on her.”
* John Hawkins: “This Is Your Brain. Now, Look At Michael Berg. That Is Your Brain On Liberalism.”
* Lazy Town: “What you may not know is that today is not only the day al-Zarqawi was killed but also the day that is recognized as the day Muhammad died (in the year 632). Quizzically ironic, no?”
* James: “We got Zarqawi ... and the liberals don’t like it!”
* Castlereagh: “He’s dead - so what?”
* Paul McGeough: “If Al-Zarqawi is dead, it is a remarkable breakthrough for Washington and the struggling Baghdad regime. But ...”
* Bojudd6: “The press treats al Zarqawi like an animal with the headline ‘Hunted Down’ ... he is no animal and we should have some sense of dignity.”
(Thanks to Chuck Simmins for that opening clip; earlier Zark mock here)
UPDATE. Further views:
* Scott Adams: “I’m also happy for the pilot or drone operator that dropped the bomb on him. That guy has a story to tell. ‘You know that al-Zarqawi terrorist guy? I killed him on Scott Adams’ birthday.’”
* Antony Loewenstein: “George Bush, Tony Blair and John Howard must be so proud … The glee with which this news has been received in the West is remarkable.”
* John Quiggin: “Zarqawi is dead. Hooray! … Abu Musab al-Zarqawi richly deserved his fate.”
* Bushie: “We can now sit back in our lounge rooms and wait for the reprisals.”
* Jason Soon: “Good riddance to bad rubbish.”
* Aussie Bob: “There were children killed in the raid. A complete multi-story block of flats was demolished. Kids toys and clothing were everywhere.”
* John Robb: “If we put Zarqawi within a historical context, he was able to do what Che hoped to do with a foco insurgency. In essence, he proved that within a modern context (open source warfare and systems disruption), it is possible to seed the collapse of a state.”