June 16, 2006

StreetTalk by Carol Rosen

Last week American forces in Iraq killed Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi. Do you think his death will change the Iraqi War? Why or why not?
(Asked at the mall at San Felipe and Yerba Buena Roads)


“Yes, it's like any time you take away the leader of anything whether it's a coach or a killer, it has an impact. He [Zarqawi] got there because he had leadership qualities. They need to find someone with the same convictions and leadership qualities; I don't think such people are readily available. People will also fight to become the leader. In this country it's done out in the open and a person is elected. It will be harder for someone trying to take over the leadership role in a fragmented group of terrorists.”

Ken Rohner, 60
Evergreen
Retired


“I don't think it will have an impact. I think Al Quaida has so many cells out there. They probably also have some sort of line of succession. It may impact the war in the short term, but there will be another leader.”

Fred Visitacion, 53
Milpitas
Air traffic controller


“Yes and no, I'm kind of torn between the two, especially after reading what Nick Berg's [one of Zarqawi's victims] father said. I think the killing deflated Al Quaida a bit, but they're going to want revenge. He [Zarqawi] was the cause of many deaths and he was ruthless, he was an evil man, he deserved the nature of his death. Zarqawi's death may put American forces more at ease because he called the shots. Like killing the snake, once you cut off the head, the rest of it can't hurt you.”

Raul Profeta, 30
Evergreen
Real estate, mortgage broker


“Yes, I think it will take some time, but personally, this guy was a strong leader and there are not that many strong leaders around. This will allow them [American forces], if they do things right, to get better intelligence and maybe the Iraqis can prove they can live in a democratic society.”

Jim Summers, 68
Evergreen
Retired


“No, because there are plenty in line to take over from him."

Renate Jakobs
Evergreen
Retired


"Yes, things will escalate for a time because the terrorists are angry. These people have the means to carry out revenge and these people are irrational. Rational people consider revenge but they don't do anything."

Susan DePrema, 41
Evergreen
Second grade teacher at James Franklin Smith Elementary School


"I don't think it will affect the war. I believe there are many waiting to follow underneath him. I'd love to believe that his death will slow down terrorist activities, but there are so many others underneath him that will step right up and then the American forces will have to search for that guy."

Ed Gonzalo, 33
Evergreen
Systems Administrator