Meeting the merchant of war

Nicole, Canton, Ohio — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:38:32 GMT

This story si very interesting. Its a classic example on how people with power connect. Its no different than our own president meeting with leaders around the world. I do agree with the point made in this article by the subject that whether people are good or bad is prespective. This is a very interesting article about someone in the background of some very serious crimes.

Meeting the merchant of war

James - Houston, Tx. — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:46:12 GMT

As all "good" criminals do, he denies everything.

Meeting the merchant of war

John Donnelly — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:04:07 GMT

The name of the agency is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). There are distinctions between an agency, a bureau, a service, and an administration.

Meeting the merchant of war

avogel1960@yahoo.com — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:47:40 GMT

..Strange. I was expecting to be reading an article about George W. Bush.

Meeting the merchant of war

Raymond Belanger,lasvegas,cal. lasvegassigns@hotmail.com — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:49:31 GMT

What Information was I suppost to glean from this? The man looked and talked exactly as you would expect if you have ever seen one of these guys portrayed in a movie,& probably had no idea he was going to be arrested.It was his desire to be SEEN as a man of wealth that led to his undoing. That means he was not ideologically motivated, he just wanted to be RICH! WHAT A DUMMY

Meeting the merchant of war

margaret heekin, parlin nj — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:57:22 GMT

Thank god this monster is being brought to account for his deeds. it is just this duplicitous double talk which makes him so dangerous. In his mind if it is good for him, then the people doing it are good people. It is this wrong being portrayed as right which is ruining this world and coopting entire civilizations. Just because someone wants to buy what he is selling does not mean he should have the right to sell it. Laws are in place to curtail such sociopathic logic. that is why we have laws and thankfully people who are willing to enforce them.

Meeting the merchant of war

Don Sebo , Phoenix, AZ — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:03:54 GMT

There have always been those who profit from war and deny the suffering of others as a result of their greed.Men like this, should be simply executed in the name of humanity. I know there are always others eager to take their place but if the international community demonstrated their resolve to make it very dangerous to engage in this type of activity, they would find something else to do.

Meeting the merchant of war

terry — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:15:41 GMT

u.s. presidents have dealt more weapons and done more harm than this guy ever could. prosecute them.

Meeting the merchant of war

Justin Barry — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:27:12 GMT

I hope he is convicted. Arms dealers are worse than drug dealers. Drug users are self-destructive, while the purchasers of Monzer al Kassar's weapons feel justified in killing others indiscriminately without concern. Men like al Kassar perpetuate violence for profit in second- and third-world countries, but lack the courage to actually hold a conviction or fight for a belief. He is a coward.

Meeting the merchant of war

angelo, peterborough, ont — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:50:17 GMT

He's right!!!!
the states have probably used him just as much as any other.

Meeting the merchant of war

jane doe, Earth, someplace — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:49:38 GMT

very interesting.
Shouldn't the US be detaining its own arms manufacturers as well who continue to fuel up the world's conflictsd and even creating them to sell more arms.
this guy is a mosquito compared to US, Russian and French arms manufacturers and deals.

Meeting the merchant of war

Mark E, Mokena, IL — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:16:17 GMT

Very interesting post. Nice work.

Meeting the merchant of war

drowe,mtnhome,ark — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:37:39 GMT

all these people have waged a small war against the U.S.A. and now we are fighting back and they don't understand it because we let them get away with it so long.saddam's in the ground and this mans in jail.they made war with a warrior people and now they don't understand why they suffer.the U.S.A,china.india,western europe and russia are all engaged in global economics and all that interfere will be made to suffer.

Meeting the merchant of war

Bill Zanders Waterloo, Iowa zanders.bill@q.com — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:28:18 GMT

The problem I see with men of this type is there is not a clear sense of Right and wrong in their mental make up, therefore it is all fair game to them and they really believe that there is not justice to be paid in this life. As you can see, it has caught up to him and he will pay for all the harm he has brought upon mankind.

Meeting the merchant of war

CJ Vah, Jackson, WI — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:30:45 GMT

My Mother has always said "you reap what you sow."
This guy, some day, will get what he has coming to him. You go through life profiting from the pain of others and sooner or later your number comes up.
I look forward to reading or seeing on TV his demise. Ultimately he'll do what they all do when finally caught: cry like a little baby.
Al Kassar, if you read this, remember these words when behind bars, or like most cowards, you won't do any time; you'll have used one of your weapons on yourself.

Meeting the merchant of war

Walt, Springfield MA — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:42:59 GMT

Why the big deal? What is the largest industry in the USA? Weapons. And we make some of the best and most lethal in the world. And do we not sell them to anyone with a valid credit card? Maybe the Feds are just angry that he wasn't selling our stuff?

Meeting the merchant of war

John, Chicago, Illinois — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:58:14 GMT

He is very right, who is bad and who is good is a matter of reference. Even America has been on both sides (Afganistan?)

Meeting the merchant of war

fred,cleveburg,ohio — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:53:17 GMT

When USA does this of course it's okay

Meeting the merchant of war

j ramage,falkirk,scotland — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:54:30 GMT

any merchant of suffering and death,deserves the harshest penalty justice can give.how many people have died so this man can feed his greedy lavish lifestyle.i would personally love to see him explain that to his maker,when his time comes!

Meeting the merchant of war

Richard, Sacramento — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:31:03 GMT

Y ou wnat to know what is funny? Embargoes. they are placed on countries for not acting the way other countries think they should. Kind of like the oil embargo of the 70's, the Cuban embargo and the afore-mentioned Somalian weapons embargo. Last time I checked not every country has to be a part of the U.N. As a matter of fact, those nations that truly wish to be free to govern themselves ARE NOT a part of the U.N. The Framers I am sure would be disgusted in the direction our leaders have taken this country.

My question is this-What right does one nation have to tell another how it SHOULD govern itself? And do we have the right to prosecute those that do business with said nation just because they aren't listening to us? War IS a business, people die form it, people also die from floods and disease. Get over it and stop trying to tell other people what is right and wrong and how they should live.

Meeting the merchant of war

Mike, West Covina, CA — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:47:09 GMT

-As all "good" criminals do, he denies everything.

Just like President Bush.

Meeting the merchant of war

uh? somewhere out there — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:08:35 GMT

Yea, I don't think he deserves the title Merchant of War, it sounds like he created the conflicts or something. Of course he supports terrorists, and I doubt he thinks they are good, he just has no problem with what they are doing because it doesn't affect him, he knows killing innocent women and children just to make your case against a country your jealous of, ( bin laden is jealous along with all mid-east dictators ) they use palestine as a cause, but really they want our position in the world. To many cheifs, not enough indians you know. Any how, he's a terrorist like the rest of em and they should just assasinate him. Hell, why not start assasinating the support network of terror, drugs an what not? Why not get the whole world together and isolate the mid east, since they can't control their criminals? Keep doing business, but no mid-easterners should be allowed to leave, and no foreigners in, let em kill each other, destroy any nuclear facilities found and basically just keep em in the stone age until they can play nice.

Meeting the merchant of war

Ronn Hudson Riverside, California — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:37:03 GMT

He is what he is--he's a terrorist who will go to any lengths to sell arms to terrorist groups who in turn will use these weapons to kill innocent people.

Meeting the merchant of war

Adams — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:53:40 GMT

attack Bush all you want but he did his best with all the idiots in this country blaming him. when the next attack happens over here you'll all be wearing you american flags again. I never put mine down. Destroy those who seek to destroy the American way of life.

Meeting the merchant of war

buster, seattle, wa — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:03:58 GMT

the Bush Admin is prosecuting him in the way that one Mafia family will kill the head of another family in order to take over their business. this account isn't considered "journalism", is it? it's just a hugely biased opinion piece. the guy is "bad" because he's on the Other Side of the conflict.

Meeting the merchant of war

Joe Blow, Any Town, Any State — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:21:30 GMT

Relativity explains it all. If not, ask Einstein. But then again, the greed and the thirst for power and hegemony will ruin it all. If I can beat you, tough luck. The law of the jungle, stylized and refined to the Nth power. So subtle.

Meeting the merchant of war

Dan, Sierra Vista, AZ — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:59:07 GMT

Adam's right, blame the US all you want and then complain when we're attacked. Idiot Libs think all we have to do is play nice and they'll leave us alone. Why don't you libs and Barak and Kerry and the rest go there yourself and have a "non-scripted discussion" without US military pulling security for you and see what happens...

Meeting the merchant of war

John Jay, Texas, USA — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:02:46 GMT

Dont waste a single cent of the hard working tax mans dollar by putting this coward on trial.
Hang the lowlife now and be done with it.

RIP

Meeting the merchant of war

cmac, la, ca — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:15:21 GMT

When judging an arms dealer, it's best first to decide if the people he is supplying are friends or enemies. Certainly, most Americans are going to purse their lips and beat their chests and call him a criminal for supplying arms. What does that make the CEO of Blackwater, General Dynamics, Springfield Armory, and Smith & Wesson? They've supplied arms all around the world. They've supplied arms to the Taliban back when the Soviets were the bad guys. They supplied weapons to Chechen Rebels who rose up against Russia. They supplied arms to Columbia, Honduras, and Equador, which now are rattling sabers against Venezuela and FARC. Why aren't those men under trial? Answer, because OUR arms dealers are "good". Those arms dealers are "bad". They are all bad, no quotation marks needed.

Meeting the merchant of war

Dan, Sierra Vista, AZ — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:18:22 GMT

"Shouldn't the US be detaining its own arms manufacturers as well who continue to fuel up the world's conflictsd and even creating them to sell more arms." Yeah, smith & Wesson is known for starting insurgencies around the world. I love these clowns who get their news and opinions from Sean Penn or "The Bourne Identity...." Maybe the West Wing for politics too, huh rocker scientist??

Meeting the merchant of war

Scotty, Springfield, OH — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:50:18 GMT

cmac is correct. Look at the 5 permanent members of the UN security council. United States of America, United Kingdom, France, Russian Federation, and the Peoples Republic of China. Those are the also the worlds largest producers and sellers of arms in the world. The truth is is that we have cosistantly elected leaders that have sold arms to genocidal or oppressive regimes around the world. Look at the Kosovo Liberation Army in the Serbian Wars in the 90's. They are accuratly accused of executing over 2,000 serbain civilians. They were considered a terrorist organization even by the US until 1997. Until we started giving them arms. Look at the dictatorship of south vietnam in the 60's. They were much worse than the viet kong could ever be. ( please note that during the conflict in vietnam a majority of south vietnamese people supported the viet cong) We supplied arms to both Iraq and Iran in their little conflict. We supplied arms to the taliban in aghfganistan when they fought the soviets. the only reason this guy is on trail is because he didnt sell arms with USA stamped on them.

Meeting the merchant of war

Steve NM — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:02:57 GMT

And 'idiot' conservatives seem to forget that Nixon went to China to talk. We didn't need to attack them. Further, the 'great communicator' Reagan spoke to the Soviets and we didn't need to attack them. Talking first never hurts, because you may find out that your arch enemy didn't blow up the World Trade Center, and then you could actually go after those who did. Wait....Unless it's simply easier to fabricate a story & then go to war. Sometimes it hard to do the right thing so you opt for the easy thing. Clearly we're so much safer now............

Meeting the merchant of war

Wm Lincoln, Tallahassee Fl — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:37:53 GMT

Perspective is everything. During the Revolutionary War for our independence we were the
"terrorists" in the eyes of the British Crown.
However,we won and are not remembered for the killing we did - but as heroes. This Arms merchant
is no different. From one perspective he is a valued supplier of material used for partisan cause - if that cause goes against your interests then you apply the worst label possible to him and keep repeating it. Then Keep attaching ugly buzzwords such as "terrorist" to spin-doctor the message and avoid rational balanced truth that might lead to understanding and eventual peace. This man might well be a merchant of war or worse - but we continue to play that role as a Nation ourselves. The United States is the largest arms supplier to the World, albeit with much rising competition - and we supply more hard cash for War than any other Nation on Earth. So while this Arms rogue may well have blood on his hands,we cannot claim the high ethical ground without some serious National self-examination leading to change and restraint in our own Arms
peddling.

Meeting the merchant of war

Ralf, Mexico — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:43:19 GMT

Gotta love Adam's comment. And Dan´s. God bless America and screw everyone else, right? Maybe Rev Wright wasn't so wrong after all. It's not the USA defending itself against the Bad Guys, it's the rest of the world finally fed up with all the misery heaped on them by the USA and now there's a backlash. The chickens are indeed coming home to roost.

Meeting the merchant of war

earlscoville@telus.net — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:28:47 GMT

It is easy to determine who is and who is not a terrorist. If any group believes and practices tactics like suicide bombings calculated to destroy innocent men, women, and children, they are Terrorists. Comparing George Bush to a Terrorist is utter stupidity. I know that this idea will be pilloried by the liberal media and believers out there but that is the way they have always been. So be it.

Meeting the merchant of war

Juan Marca — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:44:27 GMT

When I saw the title of this articule I thought it is about George Bush, I though: oh finaly somebody is going to connect him with all the facts about selling arms. Anyway this articulo is very good!!

Meeting the merchant of war

Bryan, Daytona Beach, FL — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:48:35 GMT

I don't see why we feel like we are in a position to prosecute this man. Has he ever trafficked in illegal firearms or 'dealt drugs' in our country? This man's criminal activity all happened in other countries, who should prosecute him if they are so disposed. We cannot continue to be the world's police force and expect the rest of the world to place us on some sort of pedastool of appreciation. This kind of activity only breeds more resentment from abroad. Yes he has trafficked weapons to people we don't like, but it isn't our job to interfere with that. Just let the sovereign nations whose laws he violated, or those international bodies whose sanctions he violated prosecute him. Making issues like this our business is only repainting the collective target on our backs. I'm glad this international criminal has been stopped, but I really wish we didn't always take it upon ourselves to be the one to stop him.

Meeting the merchant of war

John, Appleton, WI — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:30:50 GMT

actually, the Russian-built Kalashnikov, "AK-47" is the world-wide weapon of choice due to it's reliability and qualitative superiority over American-made arms... to assume the US is the number one arms dealer in the world (typically Americans)is simply another example of niave arrogance

Meeting the merchant of war

John, Appleton, WI — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:36:10 GMT

The Soviets are still "the bad guys"... compare photos of Molotov/Ribbentrop with Medvedev/Schroeder... ask Kassan what his most popular products are... ad where he gets them... probably not at your local Fleet Farm.

Meeting the merchant of war

Keith — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:39:22 GMT

Again, the little persons want to talk about grown up stuff - unless you have been on the front, and know what is going on (and even most of those who HAVE been there don't know what is going on) you have nothing to offer other than opinions. Objectivity is what you lack.

Meeting the merchant of war

Mike, NC — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:27:09 GMT

It's not personal, it's just business.

Meeting the merchant of war

Binh — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:35:08 GMT

He makes one relatively true point. "How do I know who’s good and who’s bad? . . . The bad people for you may be the good people for me and the good people for me may be the bad people for you."

However, the fine line between good and bad, especially in this case, is knowing when to contribute in a conflict and when not to. Clearly arms dealing is an integral part of warfare. To be on the side of good would require a denial of participation in arms dealing. He has made his pact with the side of bad by involving in arms dealings (with either side of the conflict).

Meeting the merchant of war

TH — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:48:01 GMT

Adams and Dan - Although I agree with your statement that US Security is a luxury we often take for granted. I vehemently disagree on your (Dan) attack on "Libs." The thinking is that non-"Libs" are always correct in every decision (or even 60% correct) is a mistake in ideology. And the reverse is also true. Instead of blaming one end of the spectrum (like the Taliban has done), why not try to understand and educate these "idiot Libs" to your perception of a perfect reality? Although I do not agree with many of the decision the current administration has made (notice I do not single out Bush), I do think it is important to understand that 1) we don't have enough facts to understand why that decision was made and 2) we should consider a reform in how we operate as a nation . . . and notice I said consider and not steadfast reformation.

So I urge you to stop pointing fingers and start understanding AND educating! Remember, those working and believing in a better future are all on the same side. It's the execution of the plan that sets us apart.

Meeting the merchant of war

kelly/ Kingston, Jamaica--godsgirl1000@yahoo.co.uk — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:20:02 GMT

Let us get somethings straight.Good people are not bad neither vice versa. If people try to confuse themselves of who is good and who is bad; God does not have any such confusions in His mind. God has given those He has put in authoritiy, and expects to rule justly;had better do so in the fear of God for they are going to answer to Him! God's word says,"... but the wicked shall perish,... into smoke shall they consume away..that tells you where he is heading!"
The truth is, give your lives to Him who will give you everlasting Life, and study His word to know right from wrong so you will have hope in the after-life and don't end up into the literal fire!

Meeting the merchant of war

Ben, WV, USA — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:47:56 GMT

If you think this is bad, you should watch the documentary Iraq for Sale. Bush and Cheney are just as guilty as this guy. But, like this guy, they won't admit it, either.

Meeting the merchant of war

Donovan, Sacramento, CA. — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:48:33 GMT

Without drawing a conclusion on the larger issues this piece presents, it seems chilling when the reach of federal civilian prosecution becomes global and intertwined with military conflict. When the lines between civilian authority and military authority blur, liberty is always at risk.

Meeting the merchant of war

Uncle Sam — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:52:03 GMT

I do not call a man bad who give people the means to fight off tyrants (WWI & II). We started protecting people aganist tyrants but when we started backing Israel no matter how much they abuse human rights and and kill women, children and the elderly we became just as bad. Now we invaded where ever we want & use words like Shock & Awe to cover the MURDER and GENOCIDE we carry out for bogus reasons. Who made the USA the worlds commander? You reap what you sow and I hope to hell people wake up and take back their government from the killers, thugs and profiteers that run it now. Impeach the lot of them!

Meeting the merchant of war

katri, tallinn — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:58:57 GMT

Each person responds to the needs of their organism and environment. Cant really blame him after all this life long manouvering, got too out of hand maybe? For no one can, so OPENLY oppose GOVERNMENT rule....for too long anyways. Been too brash i suppose. For God sakes keep it quiet. The humanitarian in me likes to think, in all being fair, for all the people mutilated by weapons, all these gun smugglers should be getting their just desserts. But then again, fair? why its only supply and demand, if it isnt guns, it will be matchetes...why all those smugglers of machetes!! of steel industry, knowingly selling raw material for the building of weaponry. Tobacco plantation workers. People who club seals to death. Highway lobby groups. One fell swoop, no love for.... poverty, complacency, enterprise...where ever your interests lie, and fight to the death....or should that be, till your death? ..and Blind....

Meeting the merchant of war

JJ, Houston, TX — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:55:18 GMT

"yeah, smith & wesson is known for starting insurgencies around the world. i love these clowns who get their news and opinions from Sean Penn..."

Maybe smith & wesson don't start international insurgencies, but drive to any ghetto in america and you'll see the domestic insurgencies caused by not only smith & wesson but all of the others.

Meeting the merchant of war

Phil, Omaha, NE — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:30:06 GMT

The blind enforcement of laws created by unjust men is no different than disobeying those laws. There is a difference between being lawful and being just - and once man realizes governments are neither we will be better off. It is time for a revolution in America - we should all become merchants of war and overthrow the corruption in this country! Corporations, not men and women who are just, control your lives... wake up!

Meeting the merchant of war

DMack — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:05:24 GMT

“I’ve worked more that 20 years in the arms business. I have never seen a gun."

LOL! Impale

Meeting the merchant of war

cdm, Trenton, NJ — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:33:12 GMT

We execute Saddam for being a Tyrant, right???
We call for Clinton's impeachment, over oral sex???
This guy is probably going to be executed...

but what about Dubya'...
what about our entire gov't...

yeah, good/bad are matters of our perspectives...
just as normal/abnormal are the same...

I love this country (as a mother loves her deadbeat/jobless/good for nothing son), i support our troops, but we only prosecute those we want to. This isn't anything new, but I would respect this country/world if we at least attempted to do what's right for the people...the team (just as the Celtics did last night!!!)

Utilitarianism and Existentialism are the two most important terms that I have ever learned...
Let's see if we can fix this thing...

Meeting the merchant of war

Thomas I Green, Mojave, CA. — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:44:57 GMT

Another comment well-worth the time to make it:

Pres Nixon and H. Kissinger were the great arms merchants to the Shah of Iran.
In return for all the armaments we "sold" to Iran, including our support for his terrorizing his own people, our formula was: raise the price of oil to pay for the arms. Our puppet, the Shah, readily did this with the help of the USA in the face of strong APEC and Arab oil producers' opposition.
The prices were increased and the energy crisis resulted.
Al-Kassar is a nobody compared to the real players such as the USA and Israel.

Meeting the merchant of war

asher, kirkland, wa — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:43:47 GMT

sure u.s. presidents are guilty of supplying countries with weapons amid conflicts. president of many countries are guilty of this so don't single out just the u.s. to respond to those who say 'what’s the big deal, the u.s. does this all the time!!' i just say, lets deal with one person at a time. also...it must be nice for monzer al kassar not to have to deal with absolute right and wrong.

Meeting the merchant of war

Alex N. — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:10:27 GMT

Does no one else see that there is little difference in what this man does and the US does? He sold guns to people who wanted them. The US gave guns to people who wanted them. This guy really didn't care who got them or for what use they went to, he just wanted to make money. I know a lot of hard working americans like that. When the US give guns(aid) it's usually for some political gain whether to fight terrorists or criminals. Most people say well they're bad people we can't let them do that. I think the big oversite is they{bad guys} are bad to us and may be good to others. we as humans will always have differences in religion, politics, culture, etc.... so there will always be this side and that side. Why does the US just declair it self principal of the world.Unjustly set rules that are to apply to everyone and if you disagree you are a terrorist, insurgent, a communist. This beleif of "what is best for us, is all that matters" is what is wrong. If we put more in to being better people rather than trying to eradicate bad people we might have something everyone can agree with "peace". we need to stop spending all our money on war and weapons and death start spending it on education, health, and taking care of first our selves and then assisting others. Why is it right that we spend trillions of dollars on fighting people, yet there are still schools that don't have books and people who still dont have homes, food, water because of natural disaters, and a middle class that is being choked into lower class while the upper class get all the benefits. To me that is the crime...

Meeting the merchant of war

Indy rick, Indianapolis, IN — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:34:31 GMT

Our Pro-Israel Media distort the truth. Why should Palestinian's give up their land? Jew's can either buy it or live with them. Simple as that. Why is someone a villain when they support the opposite side? Is an Israel tank blowing up a school or a journalist any less of a terrorist act? STOP THE HYPOCRISY!