The Waterkooler

New threats from Al Queada prompt tough talk from Bush and Blair...

"What you have seen in New York, Washington and Afghanistan, are only the initial losses," said Osama bin Laden's No. 2 man, Ayman al-Zawahiri, referring to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States for which al Qaeda claimed responsibility. "If you continue the same hostile policies you will see something that will make you forget the horrors you have seen in Vietnam."

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British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has called for an international conference on Islamic extremism, is proving far more willing than President Bush to demand that Muslim leaders confront their own failings in the global war on terror. His latest statements indicate willingness to implement new Human Rights and immigration laws.

Quote for Quote:

• BLAIR: "Let no one be in any doubt, the rules of the game are changing... Should legal obstacles arise we will legislate further, including if needs arise, amending the Human Rights Act."
  
  
• BLAIR: "When they try to use Iraq or Afghanistan or Palestinian cause as a means of saying 'we have justification for what we do,' it is a complete obscenity."
  
  
• BLAIR TALKS TOUGH ON IMMIGRATION: "Coming to Britain is not a right. And even when people are coming here, staying here carries with it a duty. That duty is to share and support the values that sustain the British way of life.
  
  "Those that break that duty and try to incite hatred or engage in violence against our country and its people have no place here."
  
  
• BUSH: "We will stay on the offense against these people," Bush said of the comments by Ayman al-Zawahri.
  
  
• BUSH: "On September 11 2001, America felt its vulnerability even to threats that gather on the other side of the Earth. We resolved then, and we are resolved today, to confront every threat from any source that could bring sudden terror and suffering to America."
  
  
• BUSH: "Our nation is somewhat sad, but we're angry. There's a certain level of blood lust, but we won't let it drive our reaction. We're steady, clear-eyed and patient, but pretty soon we'll have to start displaying scalps."
  
  
• BUSH: "The terrorists are fighting freedom with all their cunning and cruelty because freedom is their greatest fear - and they should be afraid, because freedom is on the march."