Did Osama like Saddam?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

It appears that Republicans here still think Saddam was a raging Islamist whose goals were almost exactly the same as Al-qaeda despite the fact that he had a secular regime is one of the most basic facts about him.

So I ask how many of them actually believe Osama really liked him, and that if he had the power to do so, he would keep Saddam in power rather than overthrow him and put one of his cronies in place.

I of course vote no, and Osama has given evidence backing me up, such as his claiming the US invasion of Iraq was a war between "two great infidels" rather than calling Saddam some noble holy warrior.

[afleitch]

No he hated Saddam, he hates everyone who doesn't subscribe to his own Islamofascism.

[MODU]

No, but they do fall under the saying of "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Saddam is not a "raging Islamist," in fact, he was quite secular.  Osama, on the other hand, is one.  Osama tried to get Saddam overthrown for this reason before the Persian Gulf War.  After that, he tried to get Saddam to go to war with him against Saudi Arabia (since they allowed the US to launch the invasion from their land).  

[Blue Rectangle]

Did FDR like Stalin?  Did Hitler like Stalin?

Osama and Saddam are similar in that they use religion and politics when it suits them to accomplish their goals.  Both had similar goals in hating the U.S. and the Saudi royals.

As just one counterexample of the "Osama and ____ would never have allied" theory, remember that Osama was invited to Afghanistan not by the Taliban, but by the Northern Alliance.  Hence at various times he was on opposite sides of a very bitter feud.  Osama is not the kind to turn down an alliance with a powerful enemy of the U.S. because of something like standards.

No he hated Saddam, he hates everyone who doesn't subscribe to his own Islamofascism.

So Osama hated the Norther Alliance when he allied himself with them?

[phk]

Of course not, Saddam was a secular leftist. Osama on the other hand is religous-right-wing.

[angus]

While the Ba'ath party describes itself as "pan-arab nationalist" and "socialist" I really think "leftist" is a stretch.  Anyway, hmmm, last time osama and I smoked a waterbong and drank tea together I forget to ask him.  I'll try to remember to ask next time.  For the record, I do not think republicans are confused on this point.  Though democrats certainly seem to be.  If you can't handle the sardonism and sensationalism, don't watch FOX.  It isn't meant for you.

[angus]

...says the guy who, on Neil Cavuto's advice, bought several thousand dollars worth of Deutsche Telekom at 21.87 a share only to watch it slowly tumble to 19.50 a share.  Yeah, I deserve it.  Bring it on.  Still, don't take it too seriously.  It's part of the jingoistic game we play.  If you don't get that, you're probably not a republican in the first place.  No harm done.  (except to my pocketbook when I once got carried away and took those guys seriously.  ouch.)

Ready children:  Saddam was the legitimately elected leader of a sovereign nation.  He was also a bit crazy.  His country has vast natural resources to which we are addicted.  He also tried to kill daddy.  Ergo, the bastard must die.  Osama, on the other hand, is a terrorist.  Ergo, the bastard must die.  It's merely an analogy, not a homology.  But it's fun to play it like an homology.  Gets the patriotic fervor whipped up pretty good, don't you think?

[Hitchabrut]

Did FDR like Stalin?  Did Hitler like Stalin?

Osama and Saddam are similar in that they use religion and politics when it suits them to accomplish their goals.  Both had similar goals in hating the U.S. and the Saudi royals.

As just one counterexample of the "Osama and ____ would never have allied" theory, remember that Osama was invited to Afghanistan not by the Taliban, but by the Northern Alliance.  Hence at various times he was on opposite sides of a very bitter feud.  Osama is not the kind to turn down an alliance with a powerful enemy of the U.S. because of something like standards.

No he hated Saddam, he hates everyone who doesn't subscribe to his own Islamofascism.

So Osama hated the Norther Alliance when he allied himself with them?

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Strongly Agree.

[Ebowed]

LOL, who voted yes?

[12th Doctor]

Did Hitler like Mussilini?  No.  He hated him and the Italians.  Did Either of them like Hirohito?  No, they both hated the Emperor and the Japanese.

Did Churchill like Stalin?  No.  Did FDR like Stalin... well, yes, but that is not the point. 

[angus]

Did FDR like Stalin... well, yes, but that is not the point. 

I think he liked roosevelt better, though.

In fact, according to esteemed historian Jon Meacham, they have seen each other naked.  Seriously.  Naked Churchill.  Naked FDR.   Ewwww.

[Blue Rectangle]

LOL, who voted yes?

I did.  I sometimes vote contrarian on silly rhetorical question polls like this one.

Of course Osama and Saddam didn't like each other.  So what?  Alliances rarely have anything to do with who likes who.  Did Osama "like" the Sudanese when he helped them?  Did Osama "like" the Northern Alliance when he accepted their invitation?  I'm not certain Osama "liked" the Taliban--he switched sides simply because they took control.  The Taliban only sheltered (half-heartedly) Osama to piss off the West anyway.

[The Duke]

I voted yes to spite BRTD.

Like has nothing to do with it.  As has been pointed out, national.ideological interests almost always come before personal feelings.

Like him or not, Osama took the money, and that's all that matters.

[dazzleman]

I voted yes to spite BRTD.

Like has nothing to do with it.  As has been pointed out, national.ideological interests almost always come before personal feelings.

Like him or not, Osama took the money, and that's all that matters.

^^^^^^^^^^

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

The enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy of is my I lost track.

[Ebowed]

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Strongly Agree.

Like how Hitler and Stalin were enemies?

[The Duke]

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Strongly Agree.

Like how Hitler and Stalin were enemies?

Hey, it works.  Although hitler and Stalin weren't always enemies.

[patrick1]

Of course. They used to spoon on those cold desert nights,