Al-Qaida Calls For Romes Destruction

theski · Post by **theski** » 2004-04-05 10:14am

ROME - Videotapes of a key al-Qaida suspect urging followers to destroy Rome have reportedly been found by Italian police, heightening concerns about security in Italy and at the Vatican ahead of Easter.

Tapes featuring Abu Qatada, a radical Muslim cleric named by Britain as the spiritual inspiration for the lead Sept. 11 hijacker, were found during recent raids in the northern Italian town of Cremona, weekly news magazine Panorama reported on Friday.

“We must destroy Rome,” Qatada is reported as saying on the tapes. Qatada was arrested in October 2002 and has been held in a British prison for over a year under emergency powers.

“The destruction must be carried out by sword. Those who will destroy Rome are already preparing the swords. Rome will not be conquered with the word but with the force of arms,” Qatada says in transcripts of the videotapes seen by Panorama.

The tapes were found in Cremona in February during the arrests of a handful of Muslim leaders suspected of plotting to bomb Milan’s metro and Gothic cathedral.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4652795/

I shudder at the thought at a Strike on the Vatican.... Christianity vs Islam in a steel cage death match.....

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2004-04-05 10:47am

if Al'Qaeda attacked Rome, it would just infuriate millions. I'd imagine some fundie Catholics would go over the edge and we'd see reprisals on Mecca and Medina.

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2004-04-05 11:16am

Col. Crackpot wrote:if Al'Qaeda attacked Rome, it would just infuriate millions. I'd imagine some fundie Catholics would go over the edge and we'd see reprisals on Mecca and Medina.

Yes, because wouldn't that be a nice way to radicalise 90% of the world's muslim population ...

More funding the intelligence and counter terrorist units is what is needed. Although it pisses me off how this guy is a citizen of a free country and sprouts this shit, imagine if an orthodox priest in Iraq (there is a minority there) said; let's bomb Mecca! He would have been torn to shreds in seconds.

This fucker imigrates to one of the most free societies on the planet, is allowed to practice his religion openly and without interferance, and begins preaching about bombing and terrorism. Charming.

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2004-04-05 11:39am

Crown wrote:
Yes, because wouldn't that be a nice way to radicalise 90% of the world's muslim population ...

whoa, i'm not suggesting it, i'm just saying that if it happened it would likely push many Catholic fundies over the edge, making them belive that they are fighing the battle of armageddon.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-04-05 11:41am

I don't know about Catholics deciding to bomb Mecca. Somebody'd sure as hell get bombed, though. Wherever they based from. Failing that, another round on Afghanistan.

It would be a disaster for all parties, though. No doubt of that. I imagine the reaction among my Catholic neighbors would be hysterical. Not to mention the monks I work for...

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2004-04-05 11:42am

Col. Crackpot wrote:
Crown wrote:
Yes, because wouldn't that be a nice way to radicalise 90% of the world's muslim population ...
whoa, i'm not suggesting it, i'm just saying that if it happened it would likely push many Catholic fundies over the edge, making them belive that they are fighing the battle of armageddon.

In that case I apologise for making a strawman out of your arguement.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2004-04-05 12:42pm

I wonder how the fundamentalist Protestants would react to al Qaeda bombing the Vatican. It's tough to tell just who they hate more, Catholics or Muslims.

EmperorChrostas the Cruel · Post by **EmperorChrostas the Cruel** » 2004-04-05 12:42pm

This would be the biggest mistake they could make. (Al Quida)
You want a war of religions, you get a way of religions. Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war.
Any true war between Christianity and Islam would be very one sided, provided the Christian side actualy fights.
Just who has the most firepower here? Fundy versus fundy, the Vatican has just as much, if not more $s for the cause, than the entire Islamic world. Most of the nukes are under "Christian" (read that as non-thoecratic- Islamic- states)controle as well. Not that the Vatican has any, but...
Pakistan won't be donating any of THEIRS to the cause,, but are there any fundies with the ability, and will to steal, "misdirect", or cause to detonate outside the proper secular government channels.
Hell, something like this, close to election time could be all tha's needed for a dyed in the wool loonatic fundy to get elected on the promise that we WILL go to war with them. Not just one loony either. Enough to tip the balance of voting in legislatures of many nations and states.

Remember the effect of the bombs is Spain on the elecctions? Well, multiply that by 1k, and reverse the direction of thought. Foaming at trhe mouth revengeniks, as one issue candidates will look good to a large block of voters. The smarter, sneakier, meaner, oportunistic ones go along for the ride as well. (As a chance at expanding the territory, or monetary worth of their countries.)
No good will come from this.

Iceberg · Post by **Iceberg** » 2004-04-05 12:45pm

I can't think of much that would piss Europe off more than a concentrated attack on one of the continent's oldest continuously-populated cities and one of its biggest generators of tourist revenue. One of the emotional, cultural and financial capitals of Europe?

Yeah, that'll go over REAL well.

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2004-04-05 12:46pm

Durandal wrote:I wonder how the fundamentalist Protestants would react to al Qaeda bombing the Vatican. It's tough to tell just who they hate more, Catholics or Muslims.

i think the "at least they believe in Jesus" factor would come into play. The Protestants would then smote the Muslim HeathenS on God's behalf.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-04-05 12:56pm

Col. Crackpot wrote:
Durandal wrote:I wonder how the fundamentalist Protestants would react to al Qaeda bombing the Vatican. It's tough to tell just who they hate more, Catholics or Muslims.
i think the "at least they believe in Jesus" factor would come into play. The Protestants would then smote the Muslim HeathenS on God's behalf.

Future action, the proper term is "smite."

I think its safe to say that about all of them except Jack Chick would side with the Catholics. (Chick is weird. He accuses all Catholics of being evil, Osiris worshiping bastards and then turns around and calls Muslims "misguided." What the hell?)

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2004-04-05 01:07pm

They think they're dealing with a Crusade now, hooooboy they'd be in for a surprise.

Nathan F · Post by **Nathan F** » 2004-04-05 01:47pm

Could you say "End of the middle east as we know it?"

This would pull all stops out of the war on terror, and would rally the European continent to fight in a single coordinated action against the Islamic terrorists. This would be WW3 literally.

SyntaxVorlon · Post by **SyntaxVorlon** » 2004-04-05 02:32pm

If they try it they will have to face the Holy See.*shudder*
Then come the men in red robes and funny hats. Surprisingly.

Sharp-kun · Post by **Sharp-kun** » 2004-04-05 02:56pm

If they were to do that I don't think they would last long. They would get a real war.

Ender · Post by **Ender** » 2004-04-05 03:04pm

It would be interesting in the same sense that a mushroom cloud is pretty.

Big mistake. Course so was 9/11 so...

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2004-04-05 03:06pm

You know, I think some of you may be overestimating Europe's dedication to the protection of the Christian faith in the 21st century. It's been a long time since the Thirty Year's War.

Sharp-kun · Post by **Sharp-kun** » 2004-04-05 03:08pm

HemlockGrey wrote:You know, I think some of you may be overestimating Europe's dedication to the protection of the Christian faith in the 21st century. It's been a long time since the Thirty Year's War.

It wouldn't be so much Christianity that would get things going here, but the destruction of a major city.

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2004-04-05 03:15pm

Sharp-kun wrote:
HemlockGrey wrote:You know, I think some of you may be overestimating Europe's dedication to the protection of the Christian faith in the 21st century. It's been a long time since the Thirty Year's War.
It wouldn't be so much Christianity that would get things going here, but the destruction of a major city.

The destruction of the capital-city of a NATO member wouldn't sit well with even the most dovish members of the Alliance.

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2004-04-05 03:31pm

And do you people seriously think that Al Qaeda can destroy an entire CITY? Right, sure.

Sharp-kun · Post by **Sharp-kun** » 2004-04-05 03:33pm

kojikun wrote:And do you people seriously think that Al Qaeda can destroy an entire CITY? Right, sure.

Obviously some of it is the usual terrorist wanking, but they could do quite a bit of damage.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2004-04-05 03:34pm

Crown wrote: Yes, because wouldn't that be a nice way to radicalise 90% of the world's muslim population ...

A-12 Oxcart Raidin' Maiden. 80,000~ feet above Mecca at Mach 3+

Enemy fighters far below us, no threat. Prepare the D-21 for launch

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2004-04-05 03:36pm

Sharp-kun wrote:Obviously some of it is the usual terrorist wanking, but they could do quite a bit of damage.

Anyone ever think that when they said "Rome" they meant Rome like the Church? A plane into the Vatican is feasible.

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2004-04-05 03:39pm

kojikun wrote:
Sharp-kun wrote:Obviously some of it is the usual terrorist wanking, but they could do quite a bit of damage.
Anyone ever think that when they said "Rome" they meant Rome like the Church? A plane into the Vatican is feasible.

or suicide bombers.... or gunmen.....or a truck-bomb. whatever.... its a guaranteed way to start a modern crusade.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2004-04-05 03:39pm

When they said "destroy Rome" I think the most they can pull off is the destruction of major religious symbols, bombings, not the complete annhilate of the city. While the destruction of Saint Peter's will indeed fuel worldwide Catholic anger I doubt it would galvanize the European community into launching a full-blown Crusade like some of you are suggesting.

However, if by some weird circumstance an entire city *is* destroyed by Muslim terrorists...well, then all bets are off.