Sumner: ISIS Threat To U.S.= Zero
You know how much threat ISIS represents to the United States? None. That’s how much. Exactly none. If there was a value less than none, then it would be that, but there’s not, so none is the answer.
You know what does represent a threat to the the United States, a bona fide danger to our continued existence as the land of the semi-free and occasionally bravish? Acting as if every person who says they want to turn the United States into dictatorial hell hole, is capable of making the United States their bitch. ISIS is a ragtag organization on the far side of the world, armed mostly with the discards we either sold to the last set of thugs (note: proper use of the term) who used the gear to cow their relatives, or the stuff we left sitting around because bringing the old stuff back threatened all those contracts for building new stuff. ISIS could no more threaten the United States than Lindsey Graham could punch God in the nose. The existential threat level is green. Or at least, it should be…
You know what ISIS is? A bunch of politicians. People trying to build a power base. A bunch of guys who understand, as politicians have
grasped since Sargon handed out blocks of cuneiform about how he really kicked Ur-Zababa’s Akkadian ass, that war extends beyond swords, guns, tanks, and bombs. It includes press releases on really nice stationery, scratchy cassette tapes from a fictional cave, videos of old dudes walking in the mountains.Of course James Foley’s death is a tragedy. Of course it was a barbaric act. Of course the English Leather-scented narration was intended to generate a frisson of “Oh, they sound so civilized while acting so evil.” Of fucking course it was meant to scare us.
Here’s the super-secret strategy on how to handle it: Don’t act scared.
Is ISIS planning to follow the al-Qaeda script for world domination? Eh, no. But let’s say they are. So why don’t you get bin Laden on the phone and ask him how poking big dogs with a pointy stick worked out for him. Unavailable? Well, check al-Qaeda’s No. 2 man, or the other No. 2 guy, or that other No. 2 guy. Hmm.
So, stop freaking out, people. Our own reaction to ISIS presents more of a danger than ISIS, itself.
Click here for reuse options!Copyright 2014 Liberaland
82 responses to Sumner: ISIS Threat To U.S.= Zero
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
fancypants August 24th, 2014 at 12:18
the curse of gwb strikes again Don’t they have any shame
Tim Coolio August 24th, 2014 at 14:43
With this news I’m sure the right thinks we need to “fight ’em over there so we don’t have to fight ’em over here”
Halliburton needs a rightwing president to keep up their cash-cow gravy-train profits!
fancypants August 24th, 2014 at 14:50
I know 3k isiL terrorists are too much for Charlie company to handle should they arrive in the usa ?
Im still thinking about our odds ( not really ) :)
fancypants August 24th, 2014 at 12:18
the curse of gwb strikes again Don’t they have any shame
Tim Coolio August 24th, 2014 at 14:43
With this news I’m sure the right thinks we need to “fight ’em over there so we don’t have to fight ’em over here”
Halliburton needs a rightwing president to keep up their cash-cow gravy-train profits!
fancypants August 24th, 2014 at 14:50
I know 3k isiL terrorists are too much for Charlie company to handle should they arrive in the usa ?
Im still thinking about our odds ( not really ) :)
edmeyer_able August 24th, 2014 at 12:25
Umm..IMO this guy is just as delusional as Inhofe. The danger of isis is real. they do have access to millions. And they are actually crowd sourcing funds through the net.
They have already inspired hundreds of fighters to their cause from across Europe and the US. Whether they can supply the funding to these people and it wouldn’t take much to cause a significant damage, remains to be seen.
Abby Normal August 24th, 2014 at 12:40
It is estimated there are at least 200 Americans and 500 Brits who are fighting for ISIS. All have valid passports and could easily re-enter the US or UK. That makes them dangerous. I do hope Mr. Sumner is right. But he’s a science fiction writer so I’m not sure what qualifications he brings to the table. I have a bit more faith in the CIA and MI6 officers I have seen interviewed the past few days.
edmeyer_able August 24th, 2014 at 12:43
And how much effort would it take to derail an oil train, not much at all.
tiredoftea August 24th, 2014 at 17:17
Since they regularly derail all by themselves, no effort at all!
John Tarter August 24th, 2014 at 14:50
And what about the distinct possibility for them to come through our porous southern border? Barack Obama is doing nothing to eliminate that possibility.
Abby Normal August 24th, 2014 at 15:26
“In negotiating the failed 2007 deal, Republican lawmakers demanded that President Bush deploy four drones to scan the border, build 105 radar and camera towers, raise the number of Border Patrol agents to 20,000, and erect 670 miles of fencing.
Today, the U.S. has 10 border drones, 300 towers, and 21,394 agents—18,500 of them stationed on the U.S.- Mexico border. Fencing now covers 651 miles of the border, twice the length in 2009, and immigration agents have deported some 1.5 million undocumented workers in the past four years, the most since
Dwight Eisenhower was president.”
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-02-21/the-u-dot-s-dot-mexico-border-got-secured-dot-problem-solved
William August 24th, 2014 at 18:12
It’s becoming boringly predictable. Tater will blow in here, spew some crap that Screech Levine dumped into his feeding trough. An informed poster who actually reads and thinks will eviscerate Tater with those “left leaning facts”, and Tater will scuttle off for another feeding.
mea_mark August 24th, 2014 at 18:35
When your life is empty …
William August 24th, 2014 at 18:00
“Barack Obama is doing nothing to eliminate that possibility”.
edmeyer_able August 24th, 2014 at 18:15
They don’t have to come across the southern border, they’ll walk off the plane just as you or I will since they have US passports.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/22/chicago-gets-chilling-islamic-state-tweet/
mea_mark August 24th, 2014 at 18:44
So, how sure are you that they won’t go to Mexico first, tell me now? Do you have proof positive they won’t come from Mexico and that it won’t be Obama’s fault? Come on now, how strong are your convictions really? ¿Š
edmeyer_able August 24th, 2014 at 12:25
Umm..IMO this guy is just as delusional as Inhofe. The danger of isis is real. they do have access to millions. And they are actually crowd sourcing funds through the net.
They have already inspired hundreds of fighters to their cause from across Europe and the US. Whether they can supply the funding to these people and it wouldn’t take much to cause significant damage, remains to be seen.
Abby Normal August 24th, 2014 at 12:40
It is estimated there are at least 200 Americans and 500 Brits who are fighting for ISIS. All have valid passports and could easily re-enter the US or UK. That makes them dangerous. I do hope Mr. Sumner is right. But he’s a science fiction writer so I’m not sure what qualifications he brings to the table. I have a bit more faith in the CIA and MI6 officers I have seen interviewed the past few days. That said, I have infinitely more faith in Barack Obama and David Cameron than I did in G.W. Bush and Tony Blair.
edmeyer_able August 24th, 2014 at 12:43
And how much effort would it take to derail an oil train, not much at all.
tiredoftea August 24th, 2014 at 17:17
Since they regularly derail all by themselves, no effort at all!
John Tarter August 24th, 2014 at 14:50
And what about the distinct possibility for them to come through our porous southern border? Barack Obama is doing nothing to eliminate that possibility.
Abby Normal August 24th, 2014 at 15:26
“In negotiating the failed 2007 deal, Republican lawmakers demanded that President Bush deploy four drones to scan the border, build 105 radar and camera towers, raise the number of Border Patrol agents to 20,000, and erect 670 miles of fencing.
Today, the U.S. has 10 border drones, 300 towers, and 21,394 agents—18,500 of them stationed on the U.S.- Mexico border. Fencing now covers 651 miles of the border, twice the length in 2009, and immigration agents have deported some 1.5 million undocumented workers in the past four years, the most since
Dwight Eisenhower was president.”
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-02-21/the-u-dot-s-dot-mexico-border-got-secured-dot-problem-solved
Looks like you’re wrong again, Mr. Tarter. Next?
William August 24th, 2014 at 18:12
It’s becoming boringly predictable. Tater will blow in here, spew some crap that Screech Levine dumped into his feeding trough. An informed poster who actually reads and thinks will eviscerate Tater with those “left leaning facts”, and Tater will scuttle off for another feeding.
mea_mark August 24th, 2014 at 18:35
When your life is empty …
William August 24th, 2014 at 18:00
“Barack Obama is doing nothing to eliminate that possibility”.
edmeyer_able August 24th, 2014 at 18:15
They don’t have to come across the southern border, they’ll walk off the plane just as you or I will since they have US passports.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/22/chicago-gets-chilling-islamic-state-tweet/
mea_mark August 24th, 2014 at 18:44
So, how sure are you that they won’t go to Mexico first, tell me now? Do you have proof positive they won’t come from Mexico and that it won’t be Obama’s fault? Come on now, how strong are your convictions really? ¿Š
John Tarter August 24th, 2014 at 14:47
More drivel from the terrorist Muslim loving left. They won’t be satisfied until there is an attack on this nation from within, and after it happens they will be the ones who will yell the loudest that nothing was done to prevent the attack.
uzza August 24th, 2014 at 15:03
It’s Sunday, silly. This is the day to be terrified of North Korea; they have millions of dollars, and thousands of fighters, and NOOCLAR MISSULES1!!!!1111!!
p.s. (Mon–immigrants, Tues–gays, Wed–Scary Black Man, Thur–Women, Isis is for Friday and Benghazi all week.)
William August 24th, 2014 at 17:56
“More drivel from the terrorist Muslim loving left. They won’t be satisfied until there is an attack on this nation”
Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha.
Good one Skippy.
Bubbalu November 17th, 2014 at 19:54
Why do you show this photo of a MAJOR ATTACK FROM WITHIN? Do you really think some ‘Muslims with box cutters pulled this off. Just to bring the THREE towers down the way they came down, would take months of rigging. And they sure didn’t have access to the military plane that shot the ‘missile’ that put the hole in the Pentagon.
fahvel August 25th, 2014 at 01:51
the attacks from within seem to happening regularly in the usa. Them bad guys just gotta sit back and wait.
jasperjava August 25th, 2014 at 09:57
The attacks from within are being committed by right-wing terrorists and police departments.
Bubbalu November 17th, 2014 at 19:39
Hey John; What the hell do you think been happening since the ’60’s.The nation has ONLY been attacked from within, for a very long time, and the people responsible are just about finished. They almost have it all, unless Americans get their act together and do something about it. The first thing that must happen is to stop all this petty bickering, and name calling. (just like little kids), and unite as one unit, regardless of race, color, or creed, and say “We’ve had enough”!!!!
John Tarter August 24th, 2014 at 14:47
More drivel from the terrorist Muslim loving left. They won’t be satisfied until there is an attack on this nation from within, and after it happens they will be the ones who will yell the loudest that nothing was done to prevent the attack.
uzza August 24th, 2014 at 15:03
It’s Sunday, silly. This is the day to be terrified of North Korea; they have millions of dollars, and thousands of fighters, and NOOCLAR MISSULES1!!!!1111!!
p.s. (Mon–immigrants, Tues–gays, Wed–Scary Black Man, Thur–Women, Isis is for Friday and Benghazi all week.)
William August 24th, 2014 at 17:56
“More drivel from the terrorist Muslim loving left. They won’t be satisfied until there is an attack on this nation”
Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha.
Good one Skippy.
Disappointed William November 17th, 2014 at 20:54
Why do you show this photo of a MAJOR ATTACK FROM WITHIN? Do you really think some ‘Muslims with box cutters pulled this off. Just to bring the THREE towers down the way they came down, would take months of rigging. And they sure didn’t have access to the military plane that shot the ‘missile’ that put the hole in the Pentagon.
fahvel August 25th, 2014 at 01:51
the attacks from within seem to happening regularly in the usa. Them bad guys just gotta sit back and wait.
jasperjava August 25th, 2014 at 09:57
The attacks from within are being committed by right-wing terrorists and police departments.
Disappointed William November 17th, 2014 at 20:39
Hey John; What the hell do you think been happening since the ’60’s.The nation has ONLY been attacked from within, for a very long time, and the people responsible are just about finished. They almost have it all, unless Americans get their act together and do something about it. The first thing that must happen is to stop all this petty bickering, and name calling. (just like little kids), and unite as one unit, regardless of race, color, or creed, and say “We’ve had enough”!!!!
trees August 24th, 2014 at 15:16
Nothing to worry about folks, they’re just a bunch of bluff and false bravado. Never mind what some crazy Muslims did with box cutters and airline tickets….
Bunya August 24th, 2014 at 18:04
Sorry trees, but we’re liberals. We don’t hate or are as easily frightened by Muslims as you are.
trees August 25th, 2014 at 03:17
“Sorry trees, but we’re liberals.”
Oh?
“We don’t hate or are as easily frightened by Muslims as you are.”
Sure you’re not super liberals?
Bunya August 25th, 2014 at 11:34
If, by conservative standards, possessing a rational thought process and the ability to decipher fact from fiction makes one super, then I guess we are “super liberals”.
Bunya August 24th, 2014 at 18:32
I also forgot to mention. President Obama is in charge now. He wouldn’t let something stupid like, oh I don’t know, ALLOWING an attack on US soil while he’s in office.
trees August 24th, 2014 at 19:07
That’s awesome. I’m so relieved..
http://parlourmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/460_20_Barack-Obama-Superman.png
fahvel August 25th, 2014 at 01:49
even the box cutter dudes are nothing compared to the number of deaths and global instabilities created by the bush administration and continued, less dramatically, by the obama gang.
raincheck August 25th, 2014 at 07:40
“Never mind what some crazy Muslims did with box cutters and airline tickets”…. The REAL problem was the Bush Admin. “ALLOWING” it to happen… They received multiple warnings from the Intel gatherers, that there was going to be an attack, using aircraft.. they were also warned that some people enrolled in flight school were only interested in flying the jet.. no interest in learning to land! The FBI annalist, sounding THAT alarm was finally told to “not bring it up anymore” I’m just going by memory… so if I’m wrong about any of this…please feel free to correct me..
Bubbalu November 17th, 2014 at 19:31
Why is anyone still talking about Muslims with box cutters. There was no hijackers, except the ones that hijacked America. And they live there, and work in the big white buildings. When are you people going to except that fact. Now they got a guy that was supposed to be the twentieth hijacker, but he was in jail on 9/11, anyway he’s saying now, 13 years later,that a ‘ ‘Unidentified Saudi Prince paid for all the ‘hijackers’ flying lessons. The only reason articles like this are coming out is because over 45% percent of the population are starting to believe that 9/11 was an inside job.
trees August 24th, 2014 at 15:16
Nothing to worry about folks, they’re just a bunch of bluff and false bravado. Never mind what some crazy Muslims did with box cutters and airline tickets….
Bunya August 24th, 2014 at 18:04
Sorry trees, but we’re liberals. We don’t hate or are as easily frightened by Muslims as you are.
trees August 25th, 2014 at 03:17
“Sorry trees, but we’re liberals.”
Oh?
“We don’t hate or are as easily frightened by Muslims as you are.”
Sure you’re not super liberals?
Bunya August 25th, 2014 at 11:34
If, by conservative standards, possessing a rational thought process and the ability to decipher fact from fiction makes one super, then I guess we are “super liberals”.
Bunya August 24th, 2014 at 18:32
I also forgot to mention. President Obama is in charge now. He wouldn’t let something stupid like, oh I don’t know, ALLOWING an attack on US soil while he’s in office.
trees August 24th, 2014 at 19:07
That’s awesome. I’m so relieved..
http://parlourmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/460_20_Barack-Obama-Superman.png
fahvel August 25th, 2014 at 01:49
even the box cutter dudes are nothing compared to the number of deaths and global instabilities created by the bush administration and continued, less dramatically, by the obama gang.
raincheck August 25th, 2014 at 07:40
“Never mind what some crazy Muslims did with box cutters and airline tickets”…. The REAL problem was the Bush Admin. “ALLOWING” it to happen… They received multiple warnings from the Intel gatherers, that there was going to be an attack, using aircraft.. they were also warned that some people enrolled in flight school were only interested in flying the jet.. no interest in learning to land! The FBI annalist, sounding THAT alarm was finally told to “not bring it up anymore” I’m just going by memory… so if I’m wrong about any of this…please feel free to correct me..
Disappointed William November 17th, 2014 at 20:31
Why is anyone still talking about Muslims with box cutters. There was no hijackers, except the ones that hijacked America. And they live there, and work in the big white buildings. When are you people going to except that fact. Now they got a guy that was supposed to be the twentieth hijacker, but he was in jail on 9/11, anyway he’s saying now, 13 years later,that a ‘ ‘Unidentified Saudi Prince paid for all the ‘hijackers’ flying lessons. The only reason articles like this are coming out is because over 45% percent of the population are starting to believe that 9/11 was an inside job.
Tom Ward August 24th, 2014 at 15:41
THIS. Finally. It’s like we need something to be scared of something because we’re all too bored with our lives ◔_◔
If we are even asking the question “How afraid should be ISIS?” then the answer is NOT AT ALL. Obama did not need to respond to the beheading. He should not have responded. He should not be authorizing airstrikes anywhere in the ME. the media did not need to cover the crap out of it. It’s one very tragic incident but it does not mean crap in the overall scheme of things. Leave it all alone, ffs.
Tom Ward August 24th, 2014 at 15:41
THIS. Finally. It’s like we need something to be scared of something because we’re all too bored with our lives ◔_◔
If we are even asking the question “How afraid should be ISIS?” then the answer is NOT AT ALL. Obama did not need to respond to the beheading. He should not have responded. He should not be authorizing airstrikes anywhere in the ME. the media did not need to cover the crap out of it. It’s one very tragic incident but it does not mean crap in the overall scheme of things. Leave it all alone, ffs.
Red Eye Robot August 24th, 2014 at 16:30
“You know how much threat ISIS represents to the United States? None. That’s how much. Exactly none. If there was a value less than none, then it would be that, but there’s not, so none is the answer.” I’m sure James Foley is relieved to hear that
William August 24th, 2014 at 17:54
Hey glad I caught you there Corkey. I’m still looking for a link to those uparmored humvees with belt fed machine guns on top at the Bundy ranch, you were talking about a few days ago.
Got that link yet?
Red Eye Robot August 24th, 2014 at 16:30
“You know how much threat ISIS represents to the United States? None. That’s how much. Exactly none. If there was a value less than none, then it would be that, but there’s not, so none is the answer.” I’m sure James Foley is relieved to hear that
William August 24th, 2014 at 17:54
Hey glad I caught you there Corkey. I’m still looking for a link to those uparmored humvees with belt fed machine guns on top at the Bundy ranch, you were talking about a few days ago.
Got that link yet?
crc3 August 24th, 2014 at 20:27
ISIS may be a much bigger threat than Al Queda was because they have the funds…the equipment….and the inside edge to go pretty much where they please including America…
raincheck August 25th, 2014 at 08:00
What makes you think they can “go pretty much where they please?” ESPECIALLY America? Don’t you think ALL access to the United States and elsewhere is being closely monitored? You must be thinking of how the Bush Regime handled things.
crc3 August 25th, 2014 at 09:59
Because most have not been identified and they have valid passports meaning that they can enter the country undetected…
jasperjava August 25th, 2014 at 09:53
That’s what they said about al Qaeda, when they were the bogeyman.
Fear sells.
Of course, we have to take measures to protect US interests. Such action may be justifiable, but it’s easier to justify when you spread fear in the population through mass media coverage.
crc3 August 24th, 2014 at 20:27
ISIS may be a much bigger threat than Al Queda was because they have the funds…the equipment….and the inside edge to go pretty much where they please including America…
raincheck August 25th, 2014 at 08:00
What makes you think they can “go pretty much where they please?” ESPECIALLY America? Don’t you think ALL access to the United States and elsewhere is being closely monitored? You must be thinking of how the Bush Regime handled things.
crc3 August 25th, 2014 at 09:59
Because most have not been identified and they have valid passports meaning that they can enter the country undetected…
jasperjava August 25th, 2014 at 09:53
That’s what they said about al Qaeda, when they were the bogeyman.
Fear sells.
Of course, we have to take measures to protect US interests. Such action may be justifiable, but it’s easier to justify when you spread fear in the population through mass media coverage.
craig7120 August 25th, 2014 at 04:12
Don’t be fooled by the gop supporters, they’re fickle when it comes to who’s the worst enemy of america.
Liberals rank higher, right? Seriously, we liberals voted in the anti-christ for christ sake. Isis? Pfffft they got nothing on the american liberal.
craig7120 August 25th, 2014 at 04:12
Don’t be fooled by the gop supporters, they’re fickle when it comes to who’s the worst enemy of america.
Liberals rank higher, right? Seriously, we liberals voted in the anti-christ for christ sake. Isis? Pfffft they got nothing on the american liberal.
raincheck August 25th, 2014 at 07:23
I think there is a much greater threat to our country that’s already “within” our borders..
trees August 26th, 2014 at 01:56
Why don’t you tell us who this threat is?
raincheck August 25th, 2014 at 07:23
I think there is a much greater threat to our country that’s already “within” our borders..
trees August 26th, 2014 at 01:56
Why don’t you tell us who this threat is?
R.J. Carter August 25th, 2014 at 11:41
ISIS isn’t a threat, Mr. Foley. Please come home now.
R.J. Carter August 25th, 2014 at 11:41
ISIS isn’t a threat, Mr. Foley. Please come home now.