Quote:
Originally posted by bilmore
Point is, there is nothing meaningful that could have been done, really, prior to 9/11. We as a society were not willing to accept such a costly effort without having felt the pain first. Few of us would pay thousands to get rid of termites without first seeing termites.
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Probably true, but no one in a position of power will dare to day that, because it sounds like a completely unverifiable cop out.
Quote:
Originally posted by bilmore
And the idea that OBL would have been handled by Clinton if only Clinton had not been bothered by those pesky problems over his lying under oath doesn't fly, in my mind. I see nothing that indicates that he would have been willing to do such a thing, even with a clear schedule and more widespread support.
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I don't know. It's all counter-factual, and Clinton is a domestic policy guy at heart -- but he did appoint the counter-terror czar, and increase efforts, signed an Order authorizing bin Laden's termination, sent FBI and CIA/SOF into Pakistan to snatch the CIA building shooter (with cooperation from Pakistan) and/or Ramsi al Yousef (I forget which).
Given all that, I don't think one can rule out a broader anti-AQ operation if he had the chance.
S_A_M
