If it is true, as Bill Clinton claims, that Osama bin Laden was a regular subject of his meetings during his term in office and that the Bush administration scarcely paid attention to bin Laden before 9/11 ... I would say that warrants harsh criticism.

 

If true, I don't blame Clinton for defending his position.

 

He left no comprehensive plan for dealing with terrorism.

Some say Richard Clarke left one, but it was a mere 13 page report in which Clarke said would have done nothing to prevent the terrorist attack on 9/11.

To simply show you Clinton's disregard for terrorism, he never once visited the WTC after it was hit in 1993, and allowed for local law enforcement to handle the investigation, not the CIA or any federal law enforcement agencies.

 

 

One other thing, as the USA began to close in on Japan, did that not increase the number of kamikaze pilots?

One other thing, as the USA began to close in on Japan, did that not increase the number of kamikaze pilots?

 

Point well made.:thumb:

Here's the unique thing about the NIE report. Congress had this information in April. Now it has been leaked to the Times, whose credibility has been taking water for some time now. Will there be an investigation of this leak? Or no, because it doesn't involve the name of Valarie Plame.

I digress.

One side has decided to pick only a portion of the information and use it for their political purposes.

What about the material in the NIE report that states that if their is perceived success that it would inspire more jihadism and continue it elsewhere.

What about the part thats says if their is no perceived succes in Iraq, and that they have failed, the report suggests that fewer fighters will be inspired to carry on this fight.

Anyone?

So this report has ammo for one side and ammo for the other.

However, what is striking about the last point is that the whole issue of just "cutting and running" would only embolden the terrorist.

Then the smell of Somalia returns.

 

In addition yesterday a report was released of a letter confiscated at the home of Zarqwai, that was intercepted...stating that their positions in Afghanistan and Iraq have been weakend?

One side has decided to pick only a portion of the information and use it for their political purposes.

What about the material in the NIE report that states that if their is perceived success that it would inspire more jihadism and continue it elsewhere.

What about the part thats says if their is no perceived succes in Iraq, and that they have failed, the report suggests that fewer fighters will be inspired to carry on this fight.

Anyone?

 

I'd say that both sides have decided to pick only certain parts of the NIE report. President Bush did not declassify the entire document (his prerogative), in spite of calls to do so from opponents of his Iraq war policy who had seen the full report.

 

The problem with Bush's assertion that leaving Iraq before the jihadists are defeated would embolden them is this: He hasn't taken steps consistent with defeating them. What we are doing clearly isn't working (every objective metric shows a deteriorating security situation). We don't have anywhere near enough boots on the ground to stabilize the country or prevent foreign fighters and arms from pouring in from neighboring countries. We didn't secure weapons caches left over when we overran the country and now those weapons are being used to kill our own soldiers and Iraqi civilians. We didn't prevent the widespread looting that took place initially or the Sunni/Shiite revenge killings that are boiling over as a low-level civil war. The often cited goal of training Iraqi forces to "stand up so we can stand down" is looking increasingly unrealistic as the Iraqi police and security forces have been infiltrated by jihadists. A recent poll of Iraqis suggested 6 in 10 support attacks on American forces. Our military had indicated that they were planning to draw down U.S. troop levels in Iraq later this year, but have recently backpedaled and are currently increasing force levels.

 

Bush made this mess and now he doesn't have a plan...

Have you asked any of them? How often does the 93 attack come up???

Ever notice how GT plays guerilla posting in P & R. Comes in makes a quick post and he is OUTTA here for awhile. :lol: :lol:

A Democratic staffer has been suspended and is likely the source of the leak of the NIE to the NYTimes. The staffer requested the NIE report and 3 days later it was leaked to the Times.

Criminal charges should be pending.

A Democratic staffer has been suspended and is likely the source of the leak of the NIE to the NYTimes. The staffer requested the NIE report and 3 days later it was leaked to the Times.

Criminal charges should be pending.

 

The staffer denies the implication and attributes it to political posturing.

This will go as far as Harry Reid's charges will. Not far at all.

You're right that Dems usually do get a free pass. This could be just a coincidence but then again, didn't they say that about Sandy Berger?

You're right that Dems usually do get a free pass. This could be just a coincidence but then again, didn't they say that about Sandy Berger?

You need to quit picking on Sandy Berger. How is he to know how those documents got down his pants?

You need to quit picking on Sandy Berger. How is he to know how those documents got down his pants?

 

Well - obviously, they were planted on him without his knowledge ....

 

 

Frances