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Subscribe to RSSOne year ago, U.S. Navy SEALs launched a nighttime raid on a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and killed former al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden. NBC's Amna Nawaz reports.
WASHINGTON -- Osama bin Laden's death sent al-Qaida into a decline that will be hard to reverse, the United States said on Tuesday in a report that found terrorist attacks last year fell to their lowest level since 2005.
Describing 2011 as a "landmark year," the United States said other top al-Qaida members killed last year included Atiyah Abd al-Rahman, reportedly the militant organization's No. 2 figure after bin Laden's death, and Anwar al-Awlaki, who led its lethal affiliate in Yemen.
"The loss of bin Laden and these other key operatives puts the network on a path of decline that will be difficult to reverse," the State Department said in its annual "Country Reports on Terrorism" document, which covers calendar year 2011.
The report attributed the killings, which included the May 2011 raid in which U.S. commandos shot bin Laden in Pakistan, to improved cooperation on counterterrorism. But it also said al-Qaida is adaptable and poses "an enduring and serious threat."
Farooq Naeem / AFP - Getty Images
U.S. forces found and killed the al-Qaida leader in the affluent Pakistani town of Abbottabad, where he had been living in a large compound.
While saying there were no terrorist attacks in the United States last year, the report asserted that the U.S. government remains concerned about "threats to the homeland," citing the foiled 2009 Christmas Day attempt by the Nigerian "underwear bomber" who sought to blow up a Detroit-bound aircraft.
The report included a statistical annex prepared by the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) that showed the overall number of terrorist attacks worldwide fell to 10,283 last year from 11,641 in 2010.
Panetta: Only a 'small handful' of top al-Qaida targets left
The number of worldwide fatalities fell to 12,533 last year from 13,193 the year before, according to the statistics, which NCTC issued in a report published on June 1.
That was the lowest level since 2005, when there were more than 11,000 attacks and more than 14,000 fatalities. The general decline in terrorism-related fatalities -- which peaked at more than 22,000 in 2007 -- reflects, in part, less violence in Iraq.
The report added:
Sunni extremists accounted for the greatest number of terrorist attacks and fatalities for the third consecutive year. More than 5,700 incidents were attributed to Sunni extremists, accounting for nearly 56 percent of all attacks and about 70 percent of all fatalities ... Secular, political, and anarchist groups were the next largest category of perpetrators, conducting 2,283 attacks with 1,926 fatalities, a drop of 5 percent and 9 percent, respectively, from 2010.
The State Department report said that as al-Qaida's "core has gotten weaker," affiliated groups have gained ground, citing al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula as a particular threat and voicing concern about al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb.
Arshad Butt / AP
Osama bin Laden is dead following a military operation in Pakistan and the US has recovered his body, US President Barack Obama announced Sunday night.
It also reported an increase in terrorist attacks in Africa, due largely to Nigeria's Boko Haram militant group, as well as in the Western Hemisphere, which it attributed chiefly to FARC insurgents in Colombia.
Daniel Benjamin, the State Department's coordinator for counterterrorism, said last year was also significant for the "Arab Spring" of popular protests and what he described as its rebuff to al-Qaida's ideology.
"We saw millions of citizens throughout the Middle East advance peaceful public demands for change without any reference to al-Qaida's incendiary world view," he said, adding that upheavals also present risks.
"Revolutionary transformations have many bumps in the road," he added. "Inspiring as the moment may be, we are not blind to the attendant perils."
U.S. counterterror officials say that after years of drone strikes and other activities against the leaders of Al Qaida, the group is no longer able to pull off a major attack against U.S. interests, such as 9/11. NBC's Mike Viqueira reports.
The report cites Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria as state sponsors of terrorism.
It added:
Al-Qaida and its affiliates and adherents are far from the only terrorist threat the United States faces. Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, continues to undermine international efforts to promote peace and democracy and threatens stability, especially in the Middle East and South Asia. Its use of terrorism as an instrument of policy was exemplified by the involvement of elements of the Iranian regime in the plot to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador in Washington, a conspiracy that the international community strongly condemned through a UN General Assembly resolution in November.
It highlighted that Syria was "mired in significant civil unrest for most of 2011" but "continued its strong partnership" with Iran.
The report added:
Syria has laws on the books pertaining to counterterrorism and terrorist financing, but it largely used these legal instruments against opponents of the regime, including political protesters and other members of the growing oppositionist movement.
The State Department also highlighted other forms of violent extremism around the world -- including attacks by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that killed at least 88 people; anarchists in Greece and Italy targeting government offices, foreign missions and symbols of the state; as well as dissident Republican groups in Northern Ireland.
The National Counterterrorism Center's annex also highlighted:
- Attacks on government facilities decreased by about 43 percent from 2010, from 796 attacks to 453 attacks in 2011.
- There was a sharp increase in the number of attacks directed at energy infrastructure, including fuel tankers, fuel pipelines and electrical networks, rising from 299 attacks in 2010 to 438 attacks in 2011.
- The number of attacks directed at public places declined in each of the past five years, from a high of 4,121 attacks in 2007 to 2,186 attacks in 2011.
Reuters contributed to this report.
More world stories from NBC News:
- US: Leaders' deaths put al-Qaida on 'path of decline'
- Good, bad or ugly? Street artists weigh in on Olympics
- Video: Syrian rebels obtain anti-aircraft missiles
- Video: 'Blitz Spirit' lives on in London's East End
- Greenland again sees widespread ice melt
- Fugitive anti-whaling activist says ex-crewman betrayed him
- Teen arrested after Olympian gets Twitter death threat
- Rome's leaning Colosseum has experts worried
Leave a Comment:
Thank you President Obama, it was under your watch, no matter what
the haters say!!
Oh boy! ANOTHER farce report from The Military/Industrial/Congressional Complex.
1 good thing doesn't make up for all the other @!$%# he did. Besides, he failed to make good on most of his 2008 promises. And if freedom continues to be taken away in the name of security, the terrorists would have a spiritual victory.
I'm not saying Romney's any better, by the way. In fact, that asshat's probably worse.
The drones have been the most effective tool, fly them 24/7 and realease the killer roaming ground driods next.
Under Obamas own thinking though it is Bush's fault
Let's give credit where credit is due: President Obama who bravely ordered the attack, Navy Seals who risked their lives and carried it out, and yes...President Bush who launched the hunt for Bin Laden and thwarted terrorist attacks against us for 8 years.
The real brain behind al-Qaida is the Egyptian doctor, Ayman Al-Zawahiri; And as long as this nut remains on the lam, there is always a potential threat.
Why is it taking us so long to get him?
OMG, MSN turns into FOX? Talk about FALSE reporting! They print what Barry tells them, NOT the news!
Al Qaida is alive and very well.........and even more pissed off at the great satan over the death of Bin Ladin
As long as Israel and the US are on the map, Al Qaida is not going anywhere!
So we can stop the pat downs at the airports or the East Germany style check points on I-10 or your going to repeal the Patriot Act?
Yeah, didn't think so... Thanks for giving my rights away because you're so damned scared...
It's an election year. Did we need to rehash this story?
I have never likes % figures as they can be tweeked around to make them sound like anything you want them to mean. They can take something bad and make it sound good. The only difference between 2010 and 2011 was less than 150 attacks out of over 10,000, I wouldn't hardly consider that a dent. If they could say from 10,000 to say 8,000 I would call that progress. That there are a lot of thing called terrorist attack today that weren't terrorist attacks yesterday.
Bin Laden said there were 4 man sleeper cells all around the world and I don't think that Al-qaida is all togather in Afghanistan. After what I read this weekend about Syria it sounds like one of these cells were awakened behind the Rebel lines trying to do a little Rabel Rousing, the kind of stuff that they are good at. There are 3 words that I believe in and praticed while in the Military, "Know Your Enamy." I mean everything from mindset, teachings all the way to proper table manners. Tech is a nice thing but knowladge keeps you alive.
quite frankly, if AQ is on the decline I'm not feeling it just yet. I hope I'm wrong here but sure wouldn't want to see AQ go out in blaze of glory. That last Gasp could be Horrific.
SPARTAN-501.................So, exactly which freedoms have you lost since 2009 ?
Republican yell for results. Well, here they are. These are called FACTS. They are FACTS about RESULTS. And they say that WE (yes, that includes you) have been successful at minimizing our enemy.
Relax. Chill. We're winning. Keep your unfounded hate to yourselves just for a minute, would you?
LMarcT,
The article forgot a couple of facts, as also stated in the interview by Benjamin about the report, or conveniently omitted due to lack of space:
So did was the article intent to purposely mislead the public, or was the writer just skimming the what he wanted to read.
The article title of "US: Deaths of Osama bin Laden, other top figures put al-Qaida on 'path of decline'" sounds pretty opposite to much of the information in the report.
@JP in #1.1 above: Go out and do your own indepedent research to support your claim made in you aforementioned post.
Haters? Is that the newspeak word for anyone that doesn't agree with you? We're haters because our opinions are different?
I wish it was true but there's always another monster around the corner.
For over ten years America's war lovers have had their thrills invading nations, killing civilians, and destroying property in the name of anti-terrorism. Immediately after the 911 attack, the American people were presented with a picture and subsequently, several videos of a purported terrorist, Osama Bin Laden. The war mongers told the American people that this bearded old man is the leader of Al Queda, a terrorist group responsible for 911, despite little real evidence linking 911 attack and Osama.
In post 911, there is no record of a Western journalist interviewing Osama in Afghanistan or Pakistan or Yemen or anywhere else. What little information about this dangerous global terrorist is from government sources and the few sketchy video of Osama's soliloque. His whereabout is shrouded in secrecy. His life a mystery. We are told he hides in the mountains, lives in caves, and camouflaged in the desert. Like an apparition, he comes and goes. His videos are our only evidence of his existence. The war mongers would exploited this vacuum of real facts and synthesized a modern day Frankenstein that strike fear into the hearts and mind of every American. But most importantly, justified wars.
Under the pretense of global terrorism and a mission to find-and-destroy Osama bin Laden, the American war mongers wage their wars far and wide, from the Middle East to Asia. Even though Osama was nowhere to be seen except in several low grade videos produced by anonymous sources and delivered by dubious individuals, the American people believed they were looking at the real- McCoy terrorist despite the flawed chain of custody. They had no doubt that the character shown on the TV screen is none other than the famed terrorist responsible for the 911 Attack.
The American people did not know that the war mongers had needed an alibi to wage and prolong the wars. They produced the alibi in the videos of a Osama a look-alike who spew out anti-American rhetoric and instill fear in the minds of most Americans. After nearly ten years of airing the same script, the alibi became predictable and less effective. Instead of evoking fear, the video began to raise doublt as to the competence of the military's ability to search and kill the King of Terrorism. In the last sequel of the show, the script called for the secret death of the Star of the Global Terrorism Show.
In a carefully drawn out script, Navy seals secret-op would finally locate Osama, kill him on the spot, and dispose his body immediately in a sea burial. There will be no video of the sea burial, no picture of the corpse, no autopsy, no forensic, and no witness report. We are told the King of Terrorism is dead; he's gone at the most opportune time. This is the precisely the alibi the war mongers needed to extricate American soldiers out of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, and Iraq.
Using a bogus peace treaty with the North Vietnam government, the American war mongers, bewildered and tired, abandoned South Vietnam under the feisty banner of "Peace with Honor." In reality there was neither peace nor honor as the North Vietnam Army rolled into Saigon just days after the ink of the treaty dried and the American helicopters frantically evacuated family of government workers and officials to carriers.
As for the Afghanistan war, despite the official assassination of Osama, there will not be an exit similar to the Vietnam's "Peace with Honor.' As the Afghan guerilla war intensify, the war mongers are desperately grasping various alibi.
You have no idea how little the President matters in these situations. He could be out on the patio barbecuing during his whole tenure and certain things would still happen anyway.
For anyone who believes the "Facts" of this article, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.
This is all Obozo campaign nonsense. Like the "fact" that he's related to the first African slave.
NOBama 2012
Janine-1645002
For anyone who doesn't believe the facts in this article, please PRODUCE your own reputable sources. This is a reminder that what BUSH started, Obama and our Military finished.
Obama/Biden 2012.
Al-Qida is not the only Islamis terrorist group, probably the most notoriuos because 9/11 but they are hundred more similar group all over the world. Ploting all over the world, sometimes succesfully sometimes not. It is nahib to wave the flag of victory over the Jihadist movement because is strong and alive.
Stockholm was chosen for the Global Counter Jihad rally because of the actions of an Iraqi-born Swedish citizen, Taimour Abdulwahab al-Abdaly, who travelled to central Stockholm on December 11, 2010 in order to commit mass murder in revenge for Sweden's "silence" over cartoons of Islam's founder and the presence of Swedish troops in Afghanistan. Al-Abdaly succeeded only in killing himself, but his jihad plot is particularly noteworthy because he turned to jihad violence and hatred in England, at the Luton Islamic Centre.
February 2012 Washington DC
On Friday, authorities arrested a man in an attempted suicide attack on the U.S. Capitol. The attempt marks at least the 45th publicly known attempted terrorist attack against the United States since 9/11 and is the sixth such attack targeting Washington, D.C.
This latest attempted attack serves as yet another reminder of the importance of maintaining strong counterterrorism tools. Terrorists continue to seek to harm the U.S. The nation must not become complacent.
Amine El Khalifi, a 29-year-old Moroccan man present in the U.S. illegally, was arrested on Friday on his way to the U.S. Capitol. El Khalifi was carrying an automatic weapon and a suicide vest laced with what he believed to be explosives.
The war on terror is not over.
didn't republicans say that dems could not keep us safe? lmfao
Ahhh, the libs declaration of "Mission accomplished" Dont they ever learn
Yeah, Right!. Are cockroaches on the "Path to Decline" if we stomp a half dozen of them? Not really. All they have done is stomped a few big ones that are easy to spot. The little ones are still out there and multiplying on an exponential scale. Just look at Indonesia India and Pakistan, Kurdistan, Chechnya, and damned near anywhere in Africa that you choose to point to. Just look at any of those places and then tell me with a straight face that they are "on the path to decline"
You would think the successful war on al-Qaida would unite Republicans, Democrats and Independents.
After all, our service men and women and their families sacrificed a lot to get us where we are today (not to mention the cost in dollars).
But no, Republicans cry and whine and yell and stamp their feet.
Cheer for America once. Just once.
Obama bravely told the seals to attack. Oh please, they told him, they would attack. Osama was out of the loop when he got fried anyways. His place was so watched, bugged and infiltrated he didn't dare make to much commotion or he'd a died a long time before that! It's called surveillance.
No such thing as a successful war on terror. The Republicans started this false premise, and the Dems and followed right in line. This is like declaring victory on the "war on poverty"
It also took a Democratic president to put the vise on Iran. Bush talked a lot but didn't really do anything to contain Iran.
oh thank God I feel so much safer. Get real, those animals are out there. They aren't going anywhere anytime soon. They will continue year after year. They have sons that will grow up and follow in their foot steps.
What baffles me is that Libs used to think the same way I do about this war on terror. Now that their guy is involved, their principles magically disappear. Being a strict cheerleader for either established party is foolish. Have some pride, follow your true principles and values.
sleeper cells is right. That guy that shots those military personnel in Texas was in contact with known terrorist. He hasn't even gone to trail, thats been over 2 years. Whats the hold up on that?
Nice spin MSNBC...
The decline is specific to Pakistan - the report also states that they have gaining operational capability especially in the Arab Peninsula. So which is it - they are declining or growing?
Once again, I asked Bin Laden what he thought of President Obama and Team America who have been picking off Bin Laden and his cronies. You know,...Bin Laden...... the guy Bush was no longer worrying about or thinking about anymore? You know, ....the guy Romney said he would not go after because it was too expensive to keep up the search for him? You know, ....that guy Romney flip flopped about when after it was announced Bin Laden was killed and Romney now said he would have made the same decision as President Obama?....Yeah, Bin Laden, ...that guy! Well when I asked Bin Laden what he thought about the job president Obama and team America were doing against terrorists, he answered ...gurgle gurgle blub blub!
Obama/Biden/Team America 2012 for a safer America
Republicans good, Democrats bad...Democrats good, Republicans bad........ Have fun guys
Kornfed, I didn't say the end of the war on terror and I especially didn't declare "victory". To use your analogy, if poverty is substantially reduced, then the war on poverty might be considered successful. Not complete. But still good news.
How do you determine its success? I responded to your implication.
Joe S. @1.15
You are correct that everyone is entitled to an opinion but "haters" can be defined as persons who find negatives in anything that our "black" president does in their "white" house. Republicans hate that picture and didn't they say that their entire focus was going to be on making Obama a one term president............and they did that by voting NO on everything and anything that included ideas and solutions that they themselves once proposed. That is the real picture of "haters" they could care less about the people of the US because THEY cared only about themselves, re-election and protecting the multimillionaires who pay for them for protection........somewhat like a legalized Mafia of the rich 1%.
Best government money CAN buy.
If a cold front covers the mid west, can I then declare we are witnessing the end of global warming?
...success being a targeted attack on those responsible for 9/11 that produced results (i.e., taking out their leadership).
After Bush/Cheney lied the nation into Iraq war, Bush declared "Mission Accomplished " in Iraq after the capture of Saddam. Bush Cheney team had no plan what to do with the rest of Iraq. Iraq was wide open to terrorists and anyone who wanted to take the military supplies spread out all over Iraq that were abandoned. Thousands of unknowns swooped in and made off with these arms that later were used against U.S. troops and U.S. Friendlies in Iraq. " Mission accomplished" indeed. Arming terrorists over a war that Bush and Cheney lied the U.S, into for war profits and to be known as a war president, because war presidents are remembered.........We will remember alright, who lied the nation into war that killed thousands and wounded thousands for life. Team....Bush/Cheney
Obama/Biden and Team America 2012
Obama desperate for votes ???
More like the Military success in spite of Obama !
The Muslims still hate us ! Still infecting the USA ! Under Obama !
Al Qaida isn't going anywhere. You can keep killing their top guys but that only slows them down temporarily. Al Qaida doesn't have membership cards or main offices. They are loosely affiliated groups of people who's main connection is shared hatred. Just like skinheads in the western world don't have to join they just shave their heads and hate. Since the hate that drives Al Qaida followers is closely aligned with their religion every disenchanted Muslim is at least a Al Qaida sympathizer. Leaders can rise fast in Al Qaida Because they're at war and action is the benchmark of rank. Meaning if you do some stuff (terrorist attacks) you become a big man. And gain followers.
jimsepa, while I agree with punishing the evil doers...How can this be a satisfactory measurement of success, especially when it took 1 trillion dollars in defence spending to produce. And to what end?
One could argue that terrorism was successful by inducing such an expenditure. Bin Laden wished to attack our economy as well as I remember...
Given that alll it takes is one disgruntled Islamist I think it would be best not to trumpet too loudly about the demise of AlQaeda.
If anything Obama has proven how dumb and easily manipulated democrats can be. For 8 years all the left ever said was end war. Now they can't get off their knees in praise of OBAMA war efforts. It's a sad day in American politics. The only thing the left or right ever care about is what the other guy is doing, instead of standing by their own principles.
Americans have been fooled by politicians for hundreds of years and the sheep continue to follow.
All this 'report' is supposed to do is make us all feel good about wasting millions and killing hundreds of our kids on an endless war we never sould have been in. Thank you Bush, Cheney and Rumsfield,,,the original Axis of Evil.
With the Muslim brotherhood taking over and Obama Clinton financing them to keep them happy and make them like us. That's whats wrong with you liberals. You want these killers to like us and if they don't you think you can buy them off. We killed a few and we will end up killing more.
Romney was correct in his statements. Get it out in the open and support Israel outright. Under no circumstance cut the defense budget and prepare for another battle. Next time go total war and defeat the Enemy. America has to win this election in November and take the senate back also. It is time to go big people.
Maybe, in some cases, but "hater" can also certainly be used for anyone that cries "racism" any time someone disagrees with their opinion. And "racist" can certainly be applied to anyone using terms like "their White house" when talking about "our Black president".
@rukidding47
I don't know about trying to get people to like us, but it's attitudes like yours that give anyone plenty of reason to hate Americans. Oh, and put your ass and those of your family on the front line first before expecting others to wage war for your ideals.
Yea, underestimating the capablility of al-Qaida is great plan
Also telling al-Qaida that they're washed up is a good plan
Wrong on both counts. Dead wrong
They are on the decline but the christian - tea-laban is severely on the rise!
Thank-you President Obama for keeping my Family safe from Al-Qaida, Bin-Laden, and nasty Islamic Terrorists!
And an even Bigger, God Bless you President Obama! for keeping my Family safe, and the Families of all those Policemen Unions, Firemen Unions, Teacher Unions, all Women, the Mexican and Gay Community, People of Color, and all you Independent Undecided Voters, SAFE from the likes of Mitt Romney and the Republicans who want to utterly DESTROY the MIDDLE-CLASS.
We'll all show our Thanks President Obama, by Voting a straight Democratic ticket come this November 2012, when we send Mitt Romney and the Republicans back to the "DUNG HEAP of HISTORY".
Ain't life Grand?
We'll just call that "the Lemming vote". This "us vs them" attitude in politics is killing this country. Anyone voting based solely on party affiliation rather than the merits of the candidate is contributing to the problem and aiding in the downfall of the USA.
There's been wiretapping and ridiculous airport security. Is that not enough for you?
Unfortunately - The US is also on a path of decline.
LMFAO - Yea that was a great shot Obama took.
Why is it Obama takse credit for this but blames Bush for everything else??
FYI - I voted for Obama .. not proud of it now ... but I did.
What Bush did has very little to do with what happened here. Instead of going after Al-Qaeda, Bush decided to invade Afghanistan (which made some sense) and Iraq (which made zero sense). Don't get me wrong, Obama sucks, but it's mostly because he chose to continue Bush-era policies rather than do an about-face and actually fix things.
Why is it Obama takse credit for this but blames Bush for everything else??
You cons have a very short memory. According to you the booming Clinton economy was due to Reagan's policies. According to you Clinton caused 9/11. According to you Bush's policies lead to the elimination of Bin Laden. But even though the economy started to crash in 2005 when Bush was president and Republicans controlled Congress, President Obama is totally responsible for today's economy.
"Under his watch" only applies to negatives that happen or exist while Obama is President and doesn't apply to Bush at all... didn't you know that? Shame on you. Now apologize.
Charles, what's really funny is how often people talk about BUSH.No matter how many mistakes his administration made that's all in the rear view mirror. Lets hear more about the ECONOMY!!! JOBS, JOBS AND MORE JOBS. ALL THE REST OF THIS ABOUT BUSH IS JUST WHITE NOISE TO DISTRACT PEOPLE.
@traffic-fanatic: President Obama has a great deal of leeway to blame Bush for much that is still around today.
President Obama might have been able to do more with the economy, I do not really know, I do not consider myself wise on economic issues.
That said, President Obama did have to drag much of his predecessor's luggage back into the White House. How much did Bush and company's adventure into Iraq cost us? Are we not still paying those bills?
As a son is held accountable for his father's debt, a successor is held accountable for his predecessor's debt.
Why do you republicans hate America so much? is it for our freedom?
Report is known as imagining from one's own world. This is against the ground realities.
Followers of Islamic cult, especially Sunni Saudi inspired Islamic radicals and militants (al-Qaida, Salaffi, Wahhabi, MB and other label ones), are fast marching backwards to their seventh century desert tribal days.
They are indulging in rapings, lootings, killings and genocides of non-Muslims (Darfur, S. Sudan, Nigeria and spreading like wild fire in many regions and Muslims (Mali, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other places).
Sunni Saudi backed Salaffi and MB new chapters are opening up in Egypt. Just watch the fate of Christians, women and Israel as the time goes by.
Even in Syria, Syrian rebels are supported by unni Islamic religious Nazis like al-Qaida, MB and others.
We see Muslims inventing problems in most of the non-Muslim nations.
Were the conditions better before 1991 and 2003 Iraqi wars or now?
Thank-you President Obama for keeping my Family safe from Al-Qaida, Bin-Laden, and those nasty Terrorists
And an even Bigger, God Bless you President Obama, for keeping my Family safe and the Families of all those Policmen Unions, Firemen Unions, Teacher Unions, all honorable Women, the Mexican and Gay community, all those People of Color, and all Independent Undecided voters SAFE, from the likes of Mitt Romney and the Republicans who want to utterly DESTROY the MIDDLE CLASS.
GOD BLESS you PRESIDENT OBAMA that you will be our President, and the Ruler, Master, and Overlord of all Republicans, Conservatives, and Teabaggers, for the next FOUR (yes!4) very LONG YEARS.
Again, all Hail Obama! Ruler, Master, and Overlord, of all Republicans, Conservatives, and Teabaggers!
Ain't life Grand?
ps. Is this a Great post, or what?
RepublicansForObama - I think I'm going to be sick.
If you don't like the idea of a $2000.00 increase for your middle class taxes while a millionaire gets 250,000.00 more than he gets back now, due to Romney's Budget Plan, then maybe voting for Democrats might shake up the Republican Party this time around. Maybe it's time to remind them who they serve with pleasure!
None of you really like Romney anyway, and you have to admit (well the sane ones among you) that the Stock Market has rebounded under Obama, and the jobs are slowly coming back. We are not losing 750,000 jobs a month and have seen 29 months of consecutive job growth since Obama's fiscal plan kicked in.
Just remember one thing, and it is important. The Republican cries to shrink our federal government always causes each state to pay more to compensate for their loss of funding from the fed. So smaller government means more fiscal responsibility for the states.
That means less firemen, teachers, street repairs, community services, more park closures, and less re-investment into growth industries. This is austerity on a state level. Lack of federal funds will not repair the interstate highways we travel on, and electing a President who wants to expand our wars, while our nation could use the funds to lower our debt makes no sense.
While we all want to see the deficit go down, it is not what federal governments are supposed to do during deep depressions. Getting people back to work is the highest priority. More people working means the states can reduce funds spent on unemployment and instead focus on new building projects in the transportation corridors and restoration of services in our city services like replacing old sewers, old water ducts, old bridges, old street signal computers for better gas conservation when we drive. A working public provides the additional taxes required to pay down our national debts.
What I cannot understand is all the refusal in Congress to remove the incentives to the corporations to move jobs to foreign countries. Obama has the bill ready to go to give our corporations a 20 per cent tax decrease on hiring new workers and bringing jobs back to America, while it would remove the current tax relief for moving expenses the companies get now for shipping the jobs out. Why not pass it?
It seems that the Republican Party is not concerned about our jobs. They refuse to pass infrastructure bills, while continuing attacks they know will fail against Obamacare and Women's rights.
Perhaps Republicans see some sort of advantage to this tactic, but I think the public is waking up and starting to wonder why! I know I do. Every doggone day!
It would be nice to see our representatives actually representing what we all agree on. But corporate lobbyists seem to be to be who get represented the most, while our wages and benefits decline and Republicans say nothing. Well they do, they blame Obama. But don't we all know they are only saying that for political reasons while Republicans do everything to destroy the unions that make our private sector wages go up when theirs do? Attacks on unions only result in less representation of our workers needs, not more. Can we, at least agree on that?
As to what we have accomplished against Al Quieda, we have to be proud of our pentagon, our brave soldiers, and the leadership that is actually reducing our casualty rates, while putting a big dent in the Al Quieda groups. Maybe we are starting to realize that wars of nation building rarely work, and many times breed more hate, whether our intentions were supportive or not. Obama's change in tactics has us providing support for the factions opposed to the corrupt regimes, but no one can guarantee what a country will do when it tries to reform into a working governed body again. It is not our country. We can only assist. The political struggles are hardfought, as we well know here in our nation.
Off for the evening, see ya all tomorrow.
And it just so happens this is an election year !!!! What a coincidence, huh ! This is a fact that there are 29 known Muslim Brotherhood Organizations throughout the United States that are hell bent on destroying America from within. This is one thing Michele Bachmann is so upset about right now. We need to worry about those groups, unlike Senators like John McCain who say Bachmann has "Crossed the line" . I say, what line ? To protect the American people and Government ? McCain is a damn fool and this article does not paint the entire picture.
Please state your source of your "facts!" Bachmann is a Christian fanatic who creates conspiracy theories and makes up lies to create panic to push agendas in their favor. We haven't had these many jokes running for office since 1988 (Pat Robertson, David Duke) and I'm sure at some point your choices for President have already exceeded the jokes we had back then, at least in number. Bachmann, Perry, Santorum, Trump... they all crossed the line. That's the reason why they are no longer running. They are too extreme to get majority support and run out of campaign contributions to continue.
"Please state your source of your "facts!" Bachmann is a Christian fanatic who creates conspiracy theories and makes up lies to create panic to push agendas in their favor."
Have you ever listened to a single word she's ever said?
Charlie - This country would be much better off if people would lose their bias for a political party and judge the record of the politician BASED upon fact.
Reagan was a good leader and was able to achieve consensus between parties. Clinton had excellent managerial skills and understands economics well.
Bushes weren't too bright...
Obama sucks... I voted for him and will not ever make that mistake again. He has pissed off all of our allies, he is fiscally irresponsible, he has appointed more czars than Bush, he has indebted this nation to record levels and the government is bigger than ever.
So stick your statement about what I think in your butt. You should try using your head for more than a hat rack.
I agree, Corn Fed. And with the rash of Main Stream Media fabrications, all to politically benefit this admin, I would not give much credence to this article. They'll say anything to campaign for this admin. And just recently did not you read about the couple in Mali stoned to death in the Al Qaeda region? And Christians are being slaughtered in record number in the extreme Islamist countries. I certainly do not feel any safer!
Corn fed spouting the praises of Michelle Bachmann...too funny. Here are some more crazy thoughts of Michelle Bachmann.
http://www.zimbio.com/Michele+Bachmann%27s+Craziest+Quotes?utm_source=outb&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Z-Politics-1
In Minnesota, the state bird is the loon. In Minnesota the state Loon is Michelle Bachmann!
Charlie, do search on Bachmann hiding in bushes...real funny story there too! Hiding in bushes complete with photos. Spying on a GAY rally!
America is destroying America from within. There is at least one murder everyday in a thirty mile radius of where i live. Not one commited by El Qaeda.
29 well known terrorist muslim organizations in the US? Really? How would you know that, Corn-fed-up? Because Rush or Bachman said so? What are they terrorizing? Mice in your barn? Figs on your tree? I guess wackies just sort of believe anything they hear, which is why we must re-elect Obama. He has shown us that he will usually make the correct decisions when it comes to foreign policy. He has a pentagon actually hunting down Al Quieda and hopefully will get us out of the wars, while Romney proudly struts around with his arms flailing, telling Israel we will back them at whatever they want to do to Iran, regardless of what they decide. So Romney's defense plan is to follow Israel. Is this the kind of leadership we need?
Sand Monkey's got a drone up there azz
In the most simplistic form a terrorist group is akin to a large organized crime group. We have killed or captured many of the crime bosses but crime continues to be a problem. The same can be said for Terrorists. Don't ignore this statement from the article,
"The State Department report said that as al-Qaida's "core has gotten weaker," affiliated groups have gained ground, citing al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula as a particular threat and voicing concern about al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb."
The release sounds very political because the only thing that might or will change is we pull our troops from Afghanistan. But we needed to do that anyway. It is a war of diminishing return and that is something most of us can agree on.
What kind of campaign rhetoric is this. He didn't build the drones that are killing these terrorists! Someone else did, probably over the objections of the libertars in congress at the time. Pretty soon he is going to take Phelps gold medals cause he steps in a wading pool somewhere, and after all, Phelps really didn't earn them. For every one of thes animals we take out, it seems there are several more waiting to step into their shoes. NBC, check your puppet strings, they seem to be getting twisted.
C'mon, admit it.
You didn't read the article, did you ?
Hank-1921206,
Appears more likely that the NBC news staff that wrote the article didn't read the report.
Funny how all of you were united in trying to kill or capture Bin Laden. Bush/Cheney not only failed, (after wrapping themselves in the 911 flag for years) they used the flag wrapping to start another unrelated war in Iraq. All of you were united, against Bin Laden and those people who killed all those 911 victims, until the president, who is half black, with Team America, killed Bin Laden. Now you are anti American.
Obama/Biden. 2012 ......for America always when other are not!
That is good news, now that path of Al-qaida is on the decline ...The path of or liberties that have been taken away, can start rising to restoration .. If not ... If they are gone forever ... Then freedom has lost.
I think you missed an important paragraph from this article.
""The State Department report said that as al-Qaida's "core has gotten weaker," affiliated groups have gained ground, citing al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula as a particular threat and voicing concern about al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb."
Help Wanted:
Immediate employment opportunities in senior management positions at major terrorist organization.
Applicants must be Muslim extemist, have anger management problems, knowledge of money laundering operations, and experience working with Pakistani intelligence service. People skills to recruit subordinates for one way "business trips" helpful.
Compensation package negotiable. Virgins, housing and security provided. No long term health care or retirement benefits.
Not only that, but this little tidbit-
Sing Obama's praises all you want, we were at war with terrorism, pretty early on in the operations, and there were less terrorist attacks back in 2005.
Who was President back then?
So the Obama administration is patting themselves on the back for their anti-terrorist achievements...finally reaching the numbers equaling where we were 7 years ago.
<golfclap>
Yea and this is from the same morons that said Duct Tape will protect you during a chemical attack. Or back in the day hide under your desk kids, it will protect your from a nuclear bomb. Please spare us the bull
Clinton and Bush couldn't get him but Obama did,I think that's about only thing hes done right and thats more than Walker Bush did in 8 years.
Please, in detail tell me how Obama went under the radar himself and single handedly killed 4 men and the also killed Osama all by himself then flew himself back to the United States where he announced it to the world on national television. Id love to know how OBAMA got Osama ALL BY HIMSELF. herp derp derp.
OBAMA DIDN'T DO @!$%#
Obama didn't establish any contacts, gather the intelligence, analyze the intelligence, and sure as hell wasn't in harms way when the assualt on the compound was excercised.
In fact all Obama ever did or has ever done is sit on his fat ass eating bon bons spending our money living off the public dime his whole adult life.
He's never run a succesful business, never served in the military in fact he's never done anything he can take credit for which is own effort or skill.
To paraphrase his own words
"HE DIDN'T DO THAT SOMEONE ELSE DID"
The one thing Obama is good at is giving speaches - Who's words? They're not his.
He can't even remember what promises he's made.
He promised to get unemployment below 8% or he would be a one term Presdent. He can't even come close to making that lie come true, even with Washington's fuzzy math.
Obama can claim credit for one thing he has overseen more the twice the average monthly debt increase of any other President in history.
Obama oversees an average monthly debt increase of over 124 BILLION dollars a month. That's right 124 Billion dollars more each month we owe creditors like China.
Under Obama's management the Democratic controlled Senate has refused to even bring a Budget to the floor to be voted upon.
You forget Grover's Congress that wants the economy to tank.
There is one commonality of these comments: the sh#theads that hate Obama will continue to hate Obama no matter what he does or does not do. It is pure bias (Obama-phobia) and is clinically a pathological state of mind that combines bigotry, gullibility, with co-dependency in an almost cult-like obsessiveness.
It is pathetic that such a large percentage of Americans have sunk so low in believing the Cult of Faux News, but then again, 30% of our population wanted to remain as part of the British Empire under King George in 1776, proving that no laws can prevent stupidity.
Jym
You can't address the facts so you attack the messenger.
Your even idiotic enough to use the term co-dependency to refer to those who oppose Obama as President.
Since Obama has taken office:
Food Stamps recipients have increased by 39% - The Obama administration through USDA has even partnered with Mexico to assist Mexican nationals living in the US to obtain food stamps
Limousines owned by the federal government have increased by 70%
The estimated number of Federal employees and contractors is over 22 Million and has ben rising under Obama - The reason it is estimated is because one can not get information from the government beyond 2010. The Obama administration has had to admit though that under his management Fderal payroll is at an all time historic high
Who do you think pays that payroll? - It's not the Federal employees.
Federal debt has risen by over 5 Trillion dollars in the first three years of Obama's administration - An all time record for multiple Presidents combined
Nick, do you mean the same way Truman flew the plane that dropped the bombs?
And calling anyone that doesn't agree with Obama racist isn't bigotry? You're lying to yourself if you think it is not. And you call Obama's detractors "cult-like"? That's got to be one of the funniest lines I've read here in a while.
John93....... whines about all the people the rich and greedy people and Bush who crashed the economy which forced millions of AMERICANS to go on food stamps. The crashing of the economy by repubs failed policies of giving it ll to the rich, and still repubs block any kind of regulation to prevent another crash. The same group of people, repubs, just blocked a bill to end tax breaks for companies outsourcing jobs for profit, and blocked in that same bill tax breaks for companies who would bring jobs back to America. Repubs killed the economy and block every attempt to have economy recover, just to Make President Obama a one term president.
Why?...because repubs made billions off the crashing of the economy! They want to get the rest they did not get by privatizing Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and the Post Office. repubs create voter suppression laws to stop people from voting against them.
Vote President Obama/Biden and Team America 2012
starsailing
Either you are extremely ignorant or you are purposefully lying to promote an agenda of socialism.
The mortgage crisis was the direct cause of the Democrats insisting banks provide Sub-prime home loans to unqualified loanees. This began during the Clinton administration. Bush attempted to correct this problem; however the Democratically controlled Senat and House refused to allow correction.
People have you already forgotten that between 1997 and until the 2008 mortgage crisis housing prices went through the roof and housing values increased at ridiculous unsustainable rates. This is why there was a bubble of false inflated housing values. Remember when people were flipping houses (buying and immediately sellng for an inflated profit). This was directly caused by a Democratic President and Democratic controlled Congress. Then a Democratic controlled House and Senate supported by a then Senator Obama came up with the Bank Bailouts to save the Banks and their friends at tax payer expense.
Obama then came up with an 800 billion dollar stimulus with the help of a Democratic House and Senate at tax payers expense. An extremely large portion of that tax payer money has gone to foreign companies and employees with another signficant portion going to companies which are Obama campaign contributors and have subsequently failed, firing their workers (think Solendar). Tell us one significant accomplishment that can be attributed to the Stimulus.
Liberals always promise they will help out the poor and middleclass by taking it from the rich. And people keep on swallowing this horse manure. At some point there are no more rich, everyone is poor, Then what - Take it from who.
Think about it folks how poor do you think Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Biden, Jesses Jackson (the list goes on), are. They are all millionaires and they got there by taking your/our money and selling their influence to their buddies. The only job many of these folks have ever had has been public influence peddling. Their whole adult income has been the result of taking our money and using political influence to take our money and giving it to their buddies.
Many Republicans are just as guilty but we are even guiltier. Why do you think these idiots keep getting elected because we as nation choose to stay ignorant and keep re-electing these thieves becasue we keeping swallowing their lies and the garbage people like starsaling shovel.
Ah yes, the great ANTI-WAR president has only one thing he can look back on with any positive slant...his war record. Remember how he closed Guantanamo? And prosecuted all of those mean terrorists? Yeah me neither.
Just in time for the election right MSNBC? LOL. The economy still sucks and he will LOSE based on the economy!
stupid comment ("anti-war president"). Obama was anti-stupid wars (like iraq, which he did end), but he was very much pro fighting actual enemies, like terrorists. And he's done a very good job at it, unlike bush.
let me spell it out for you: invading iraq..bad. fighting al quada...good. Its hard for a lot of people to understand, but fortunately obama did.
Based on that childish logic...I am a new home owner and the day I move in discover the Home Inspector did not find many things that are falling apart. I have used all my cash in buying the house and it takes me awhile to get all the repairs going. It is going to take me sometime because of the large financial drain that has taken place. It is my fault that the house is still not completely repaired?
It is my PROBLEM but it is not my FAULT!
The concern is that you are doing major damage while trying to make repairs that are smaller in nature..
Ended as in followed Bush's timetable for withdrawal.
Like Gaddafi I suppose? The guy responsible for one of the most prosperous African nations that has now been set back to their tribal feuding days. Or supporting Egypt being handed over to the Muslim Brotherhood?
That's right. We should have let Saddam keep gassing villages and told the rest of the world to go screw themselves. What? Chemical weapons are WMDs again now that Syria has them and Obama is shaking his finger at Assad. But those chemical weapons weren't WMDs when Bush was in charge and they were actually being used in a true attempt at genocide. But Syria bringing up the potential for using chemical weapons and suddenly they're WMDs.
Al -Qaeda bad? OK, I can give you that one, but under who's watch was the war on Terrorism started? Go ahead...it's OK to answer.
I don't believe the people of Mali would agree with this report.
"It also reported an increase in terrorist attacks in Africa"....so based on the little in this article, it doesn't seem inconsistent with Mali.
"... in Africa," Vermontguy; no mention of particulars. Remember how unimportant Afghanistan was until al-Queda set up shop there? Ah, lessons from history, . . . do they ever stick?
Al-Qaida is on a 'path of decline'? That sounds familar. They've said that about 30 times already and a week later they're a srtong as ever.
The next terrorist area of concentration.
i dont know why navy seal didnt catch obl alive so we can find out who is really behind this, is it really inside job or????????????????????? just wondering
It is unclear how much useful knowledge he had at the end, being so isolated. Most of what little he knew was probably in the records he had that were captured.
as far as catching him alive, that has its risks...we'd have every muslim crazy taking americans hostage worldwide to try and get him released, and all kinds of recruiting to "save bin laden!". A quick death avoided all that.
Just how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop? The world may never know. I say level those places that are a threat and protect our borders. maybe a few oxen will survive
In killing Bin Laden, both shoes dropped. No negotiations.....it's done. He's dead.
George Washington is dead, So The U.S.A. is no longer a threat?
I have my doubts they are much weaker. One goes, two more are more than willing to step in. Obummer is protecting them here, just a matter of time.
who, exactly, is "obummer" protecting, and how is he protecting them?
And apparently you are unfamiliar with the effect of turnover on an organization's effectiveness. How much do YOU like getting served at a store by someone who was just hired? oh, so maybe getting rid of high level, long time terrorists is a good thing...
He apologises if a page is bent in a book, but does nothing about showing Muslims burning our flag. F&^% obama. If the Muslims living here read that book.....& he knows it. Like I said, give it alittle more time.
lol, that is what you mean by "protecting there here"? lol, that's funny. And stupid. Here I thought maybe you had specific, hard evidence of obama hiding an actual muslim terrorist organization or something that might actually justify your post. Now I see you are just a nonsense poster. :)
BTW, what, EXACTLY, should obama do about "muslims burning our flag"? which muslims are these?
you're funny at least in your hate.
that trash shouldv'e been thrown into the fire too. And what ever happened to that serviceman that left the base twice and shot up all those scarf heads. they never said anything about that again.
And what about the muslim officer that killed all those soldiers at Ft Hood? Don t hear anything about that do you.
Yeah right Osama Bin Laden is dead. LOL. That photo of him dead has already been proven a fraud. If you believe that you probably believe Bin Laden did 911 too. We all know Bin Laden is alive and hiding out in Bush's basement. These fake ass reports make me want to laugh. Lies, lies and more lies.
A review of past articles on this site shows that Al Qaida is present in Libya, Tunisia, Mali, Syria, and Yemen to name a few. Syria is particularly serious because of the chemical weapons there. Is it that they are in decline or have shifted focus? I believe it is the latter. This looks like another "Mission Accomplished" moment for the campaign. This will no doubt be like the unemployment rate---It will be be revised next week.
well, the central core of al quada is disrupted, and that's an achievement and a good thing. Their focus has changed..because their central core was disrupted. they have gone from planning actions like 9/11 to smaller, more isolated attacks..and that's a good thing. Getting rid of symbolic figureheads like bin laden, and also experienced leaders, is a good thing.
As far as syria and chemical weapons, well, anyone with a basement and a few hundred bucks can make chemical weapons for the purposes of terrorist attacks. The value of syrian chemical weapons in the form of artillery shells isn't that hugely valuable to a terrorist organization that uses small scale sneak attacks. Having them fall into the wrong hands is a bad thing, of course, but not a crisis.
Until we see those shells show up in places like Afghanistan, Iraq or another ME hell hole....where the resident terrorist group will employ them for use in their favorite weapon....the IED. Talk about killing power. And their not of value....or not a crisis....where have you been for the last 10 years?
In addition:
Really?....So, if I want to wipe out a small town....all I have to do his head on down to my local hardware store... pick-up a few items, then hit the local pharmacy, bring it all home...mix them all together and poof.... I've got a lethal batch of nerve gas, or some mustard gas, possibly some sarin...or maybe even some botulism. Wow...who would of known...? Has winter come early to Vermont...you're brain is frozen.
This report is bull! They just went underground like the rats they are and moved to other counties that protect them.
Why shouldn't they. The money we gave to train the police was funneled straight to them to use as bribe money for the other counties to let them bred unchecked under ground.
Another smoke and mirrors "report" by the White House and Congress to try and make Americans believe that all those billions of wasted dollars were really spent for good use. That was yours and mine tax money.
But hey, the world thinks we are their personal bank with welfare checks to every country. The only people who don't get a break are the American tax payers.
We wasted the lives of our sons and daughters for NOTHING.
NOTHING has changed in 10 years, not one dam*med thing and it never will if we spent the next 500 years over there. Those people don't want change.
The only people who can't see that is Congress who just keeps letting the money flow like there is no tomorrow.
Has anyone told Al-Qaida that they are in decline?We are such idiots. Don't you learn from your past? They will sit there and become less active for years, plotting and planning and growing. Then they will spout up like a bad weed and surprise! They're back bigger and better than before.
I would think that being less active "for years" is good.
As far as your claim that they will come back "bigger than better than before"..well...what evidence do you have to support your claim? Of course they might..or they might not.
Kelldon: I couldn't agree with you more; first of all, why is this a headline? keep it to yourself for God's sake; it sens out a challenge to Al Quaeda: they continue to plan and they will pull something horrible off again. Our government never learns and innocent people pay.
Think about it. When your leader has supposedly been killed and a few other top brass,wouldn't you want to back up rebuild and begin planing all over again. They see so many being killed now they don't really need to be out killing now they have help in other forms of terrorist. So for now they sit back and rebuild.
vermont-based on the past, why should they change their ways, they aren't going to let the USA defeat them, they are pissed believe me. don't feel too safe. Attacks will continue
Do you know it's Ramalamadingdong? We Mislooms are celebrating our holy time. So far in 94 attacks we have killed 443 people and it's only day 12 of our holiday. Pigpoo be upon us and Mo.
Yeah right Osama Bin Laden is dead. LOL. That photo of him dead has already been proven a fraud. If you believe that you probably believe Bin Laden did 9/11 too. We all know Bin Laden is alive and hiding in Bush's basement. I'm tired of these fake ass reports. Its almost comedic. Lies, lies, and more lies!
From what the actual people that are involved in making this stuff happen, this is really the result of years of work overcoming crappy policy perpetrated by both sides. The CIA told Clinton several times that Al Qaida was a threat and that policy was hampering their efforst to stop them. Even after the Millenium Plot they were ignored. After 9/11 Bush listened to them, and facilitated their policy needs. Of course, even though we had a casus belli on Iraq they weren't in favor of war with them, but whatever. And we know how much Obama loves continuing Bush's policies. Seriously though, you all think that Obama or Bush was sitting in an analyst room checking out IPB maps and compiling intelligence? Please give credit where it is due, and that is with our service people and civillian agencies.
Is this akin to the US winning the war on Drugs ? Here's the dumb part of all of this.......If you do have the terrorist's on the run. . . . .Don't frigging beat on your chest and do a endzone dance. It will only in flame ALL of the evil doers.
I heartily applaud President Obama for having the great courage to expand upon the use of aerial drones in our never ending war against al-Qaida. These drones are absolutely indispensable if we are to ever win this war, and win it we must! We can never afford to retreat on this, but we must always work to make these drones better. I look forward to the day when these surveillance and targeting drones are solar powered, and can be supported with other munitions carrying aircraft which don't have to be up there 24/7. This will give us far greater flexibility in the selection of munitions, so we can reduce the possibility of collateral damage. - RC
They already have some solar powered prototypes I believe.
(Indeed, I look forward to the day when our "munitions" are high powered X-ray or G-ray lasers! Then we can finally eliminate this deadly cancer known as terrorism.) - RC
We would be among the first to go.
Perhaps it is in "decline", perhaps not, but in any case it's irrelevant as Al Qaida has already won. They added at least $3.0 trillion to our national debt via wars to chase "bearded boogie-men" in caves, they caused us to shred the US constitution and give up most of our liberties, and millions of US citizens are sexually groped, grabbed and treated like criminals in airports every day.