Congressman: “Take out their holy sites”

David Bloom

A Colorado Republican congressman makes some really helpful comments:

Congressman Says U.S. Could ‘Take Out’ Islamic Holy Sites

July 18, 2005 1:08 p.m. EST

Christina Ficara – All Headline News Staff Reporter
Orlando, FL (AHN) – Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) told WFLA-AM in Orlando, the U.S. could “take out” Islamic holy sites if Muslim fundamentalist terrorists attacked the country with nuclear weapons.

Rep. Tancredo made his remarks Friday, yet, his spokesman stressed he was only speaking hypothetically.

According to a Yahoo report, talk show host Pat Campbell asked the Littleton Republican how the country should respond if terrorists struck several U.S. cities with nuclear weapons.

Tancredo said, “Well, what if you said something like — if this happens in the United States, and we determine that it is the result of extremist, fundamentalist Muslims, you know, you could take out their holy sites.”

Campbell replied, “You’re talking about bombing Mecca.”

Tancredo responded, “Yeah.”

The congressman later said he was “just throwing out some ideas” and that an “ultimate threat” might have to be met with an “ultimate response.”

  1. Tancredo: nuke Mecca
    He’s at it again. From IowaPolitics.com July 31:

    Tancredo says threat of attack on holy sites would deter terrorism

    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.”

    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.”