Greetings all. I found this message board while surfing the web and one thing I noticed almost immediately is that both sides of the argument seem fairly well-represented. That said,let me make a few observations.
First off, I must admit that from the first time I heard Mr Clarke speak, I believed every word out of his mouth..and still do. I bought his book, devoured it in 3 days, and feel the man should be elected President. Some points that he makes in his book that I believe deserve to be repeated.
1. Now what exactly did Reagan do after our Marines were killed in Lebanon? Invade Granada? Oh, I know he bombed some of their positions with A-6's right?
And after Col Higgins and CIA officer Brinkly were tortured to death in Iran and held what did Reagan do? Send them a key-shaped cake? Offer them weapons?
2. When the Libyians blew up Pan Am 103 over Scotland, what did Bush do? When the Iraqis were on the run and the Republican Guard, Saddam's only protectors were in our crosshairs, what did he do, and why?? Maybe Bush (41), Powell, Scowcroft, and Baker knew something that young George doesn't. That occupying Iraq is not worth the trouble or expense. Warn 'em, threaten 'em, even bomb 'em but don't send our boys over there because in the end, they're going to hate us anyway. But I guess young George knows more than daddy after all he's acombplished so much in his short life. Lets see, 2 or 3 bankrupt businesses and Governor of Texas for a few years. But wait, he did stop being an obnoxious drunk....that's something.
3. Why didn't Bush (43) respond to the bombing of the Cole? I know what Clinton's excuse was. (not that I like it. btw Clarke thought we should've bombed the crap out of Afganistan) But in Feb.2001 after the FBI and CIA had finally determined Bin Laden's role, what did BUSH DO?
Did he asked to speak with the head of the CSG the group of seasoned veterans of CIA agents, FBI agents, and State department Counterterrorism EXPERTS whose WHOLE purpose was to stop Bin Laden and Al Quaida ? Did he hold top level cabinet meetings to formulate a strategy to make Bin Laden pay? Did he feel a "sense of urgency" ?(we know the answer to that one)
Did he asked to be briefed even ONCE by this Department of EXPERTS?
4. What flies was he tired of swatting?
5. Why after hearing the August 5 PDB (we all know the previously TOP SECRET title) did he play golf and cut brush at his ranch?
6. Why didn't any FBI offices, the Sec of Transportation, and the head of the FAA know that there was an increased highjacking threat?
7. Why were thre Bin Ladens allowed to leave the country on 9/11?
8. Do you think we might have gotten Bin Laden by now had we not invaded Iraq?
9. If Gore was the President on 9/11, would you believe that he couldn't have stopped the attacks? Really?
I don't think Clinton is totally blameless for any of this, but there is a clearly a difference between pre and post 9/11. Nobody believes we could have invaded Afganistan before 9/11. And anyone who believes that terrorism was high on Bush's list of priorities pre 9/11 is simple ignoring a mountain of evidence that proves his (and Rice's) mind was elsewhere.