Tancredo says threat of attack on holy sites would deter terrorism

What I find frightening about this story is, not that anyone would actually attack Islam's holy sites, but that an idiot like Tom Tancredo could actually get elected to anything beyond City Dog-catcher. I didn't think that anyone could get as stupid as Ann Coulter, but Tancredo appears to be her male counterpart - what insanity! And, how pray-tell does the good Congressman think the over 1.7 billion Muslims would respond should America/Israel attack their holiest sites? Tancredo would inflame the entire Muslim world, of which only about 20% are Arab, to possibly deter another "terror" attack on America. Again, what insanity! How about simply showing some balance and sensitivity in the nation's foreign policy. Tancredo is often quoted as saying "this is a war of civilizations." I beg to differ, but the war that would result in response to the bombing of Mecca and Medina, would create a situation far beyond a war between civilizations - there would be no civilizations left. WHAT ARE THESE FOLKS SMOKING! For those of you who saw the movie Kingdom of Heaven - remember the scene when Baylen asked Salahadeen what Jerusalem meant to Muslims? Salahadeen initially said nothing, but as he walked away, he turned as said EVERYTHING! Well, if Jerusalem, being the 3rd holiest site in Islam means everything, how much more do you think they value their 1st and 2nd holiest sites?

By Chris Dorsey - July 31, 2007
http://www.iowapolitics.com/

OSCEOLA -- Followers of radical Islam must be deterred from committing a nuclear attack on U.S. soil, Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo said Tuesday morning, saying that as president he would take drastic measures to prevent such attacks.

"If it is up to me, we are going to explain that an attack on this homeland of that nature would be followed by an attack on the holy sites in Mecca and Medina," the GOP presidential candidate said. "That is the only thing I can think of that might deter somebody from doing what they would otherwise do. If I am wrong fine, tell me, and I would be happy to do something else. But you had better find a deterrent or you will find an attack. There is no other way around it. There have to be negative consequences for the actions they take. That's the most negative I can think of."

Listen to Tancredo discuss his plan

The harsh approach is vital in order to prevent a worldwide collapse, Tancredo told nearly 30 people Tuesday morning at the Family Table restaurant.

"Beyond the loss of human life and devastation, it would cause a worldwide economic collapse," Tancredo said of a nuclear attack on U.S soil. "If all of a sudden we are not a consuming engine of the world, the producing nations will collapse also. That is what they want, that is what they are looking for, to end Western civilization as we know it."

Tancredo said there was no such deterrent in place right now.

"The president and this country better figure out exactly what it can do to deter, I underline deter, the next attack," Tancredo said. "Deter, not just respond, deter, or else I assure you we are going to suffer. The extent of which of course I do not know. I know what they are planning and I know what they want. I do not know if they are going to be capable of doing this tomorrow, the next day or a month from now. I know right now at this moment there is nothing that deters them."

Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff said earlier this month he had a "gut feeling" that nation could fall under another terrorist attack. Tancredo said it is possible potential terrorists are residing in this country.

Tancredo told the crowd officials recently broke up a illegal immigrant smuggling ring and discovered people of Middle Eastern descent were paying $25,000 to $50,000 to gain entry into this country.

"You have to ask yourselves, why would anybody pay $25,000 to $50,000 to be smuggled into the United States?" Tancredo asked. "It's not to work over here at the Quick Stop or the 7-11. If you pay $50,000 to be smuggled into the United States or somebody is paying that for you, it's probably for some other purpose, not to just get a job that no American will take."