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Title: Osama bin Laden is dead. I blame Bush.
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URL Source: http://pajamasmedia.com/tatler/2011 ... -i-blame-bush/?singlepage=true
Published: May 2, 2011
Author: Bryan Preston
Post Date: 2011-05-02 16:35:39 by no gnu taxes
Keywords: None
Views: 6353
Comments: 30
I was resting on my couch late Sunday night, doing something utterly forgettable and reveling in the great victory of one American-owned British soccer team over another American-owned British soccer team, when my friend texted me the news: Osama bin Laden was dead. Never far from a live laptop, I grabbed mine and came here to the Tatler and saw that Ed Driscoll and Austin Bay were already on the story. Drudge had posted a photo of the terrorist upside down, with a suitably red headline. Flipping on Fox, there was Geraldo saying mostly silly things while he waited for the president’s remarks. Well, it all did look legit. But after all these years, could it really be possible? Personally, I’d considered OBL to be dead after a raid in Afghanistan in early 2002 that reportedly obliterated a very tall man at a known terrorist compound. But then around the 2004 election, OBL released a video in which he commented on events in ways that amounted to a proof of life. After that, mostly silence while other terror mouthpieces from Ayman al-Zawahiri to Anwar al-Maliki did all the al Qaeda PR. Bin Laden was mostly their silent partner. We would hear about the latest al Qaeda reaction to the news from Zawahiri, and the latest call for blood from al-Maliki. Not much from OBL himself. The deaths of Zarqawi and Saddam punctuated the war, and the surge eventually won Iraq while Afghanistan continued to be a demoralizing morass. And now weirdbeard is dead, thanks to a sound decision to go after him based on actionable intelligence gleaned over the course of the past few months. OBL’s demise is a great day for America, no doubt about that, and President Obama deserves credit for authorizing the raid that got him while the Navy SEALS deserve a place as heroes of American history. Overall bin Laden’s death doesn’t change the reality that Islamic terrorism springs not from a man or a single group of them, but from an ideology that has been around for a very long time and bases its thinking directly on the Koran, and in the 21st century has access to technology and global openness that it twists into tools of mass murder. That won’t change. But terrorists do now have to consider the old strong horse-weak horse calculus and realize that while America may not always be the fast horse, we are the strong one, and if you attack us we will hunt you down no matter where you are. As it turned out, we had to hunt down OBL just a few miles down the street from Pakistan’s version of West Point, and a few blocks from the local police station. There should and will be many questions about that. There is simply no way the Pakistanis are that incompetent; someone in their military knew bin Laden was there. There are a couple of points worth noting in all the celebrations. In the days after 9-11, the U.S. administration made a fateful decision in how it would treat captured terrorists. A debate flared up shortly after 9-11 as to whether the attacks constituted acts of war or not. That was not an academic debate: If they were acts of war, the Geneva Convention’s boundaries regarding legal and illegal combatants applied; if they weren’t acts of war, then any captured terrorists would essentially fall under the Miranda standard. Many voices on the Western left argued that we should prosecute any action against al Qaeda as if it were merely a crime, as the Clinton administration had tended to treat al Qaeda attacks that occurred on its watch. President Bush’s team swiftly rejected that, characterized 9-11 as an act of war, and made the decision to detain captured terrorists at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for security as well as legal reasons. The administration further designated captured terrorists as illegal enemy combatants, which subjected them to military tribunals rather than ordinary civilian trials. And the administration ruled that captured terrorists must be interrogated, both to prevent future attacks and so that American forces might unravel their global terror networks. We needed to know everything, all of the unknown unknowns as then Defense Secretary Don Rumsfeld might have put it: how they communicated, how they were financed, where they had cells and what their plans were and who was who in the command structure and out in the field. We knew too little on 9-11 and had to study up fast. Stories emerging about the mission that got bin Laden point very clearly that the early decision to capture and interrogate al Qaeda terrorists paid dividends in intelligence over the years. Captured terrorists broke and spilled information about details large and small, among them the name of bin Laden’s favorite personal courier. That was important because OBL’s Abbottabad compound had no phones or internet connection. He had to rely on personal messengers, and having found his, U.S. forces could find him. It is also now beyond debate that taking the fight to al Qaeda in Afghanistan was the right thing to do, and staying there enabled our forces to fly in and kill the terrorist. Had our forces not been basing in Afghanistan, they might have had no place from which to move in and get the kill. President Bush took a great deal of criticism from many quarters, including the current president, for the decisions regarding captured terrorists. He was dubbed a “war criminal,” a designation many on the left hesitated to place on the author of 9-11 itself. But it was his decision to treat them as illegal enemy combatants, and it was a decision for which he weathered a storm of criticism. And now we know, it was a decision that set America on the course to get bin Laden. So while President Obama rightly gets some credit for authorizing the raid, we should remember that he was a leading critic of the difficult decisions that led to the intelligence that made the raid possible. We should remember to thank the president who withstood the critics because he knew his actions were taken in America’s interests. The nation owes both our 44th and 43rd presidents our thanks today. Personally, I’ll “blame” Bush this time, and eagerly await the movie version of the raid. It will make a perfect counterpoint to Black Hawk Down.
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#1. To: no gnu taxes (#0)
This is pretty much how I see it.
I hear you knockin...go back where you been....
Bush declared: "I don't know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority." - G.W. Bush, 3/13/02 "I am truly not that concerned about him." - G.W. Bush, repsonding to a question about bin Laden's whereabouts, 3/13/02 (The New American, 4/8/02) Obama never stopped saying he would find and kill Bin Laden. Mission Accomplished. Campaign Promise fulfilled.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
What Bush was saying is that there is a whole lot more to addressing terror than just one man who had been severely marginalized.
Now, I know I’m not going to change the minds of any of the True Believers…those who read all of Reverend Al’s sermons, and say things like, “You know, global warming can mean warmer OR colder, wetter OR drier, cloudier OR sunnier, windier OR calmer, …”. Can I get an ‘amen’??
Yea, like invading another country that had zero to do with 9/11 and al-Qaeda and thus diverting resources from destroying al-Qaeda when they were on the run.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
"There is no doubt that ... Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer-range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies." Letter to President Bush, Signed by: -- Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), and others, Dec 5, 2001 "We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandate of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and th! e means of delivering them." -- Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Sept. 19, 2002 "We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country." -- Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002 "Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power." -- Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002 "We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction." -- Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002 "The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons..." -- Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002 "I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force -- if necessary -- to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security." -- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002 "There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years ... We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction." -- Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002 "He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do" -- Rep. Henry Waxman (D, CA), Oct. 10, 2002 "In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members ... It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons." -- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002 "We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction." -- Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), Dec. 8, 2002 "Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime ... He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation ... And now he is miscalculating America's response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction ... So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real..." -- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003
Now, I know I’m not going to change the minds of any of the True Believers…those who read all of Reverend Al’s sermons, and say things like, “You know, global warming can mean warmer OR colder, wetter OR drier, cloudier OR sunnier, windier OR calmer, …”. Can I get an ‘amen’??
Based on the falsehoods Bush WH released.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Who controlled the intelligence? Reconcile all of that to this quote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1X-I-38lrU
America...My Kind Of Place... Bullshit. They had the same level of intelligence presented to them. Did Bush provide faulty intelligence as governor of Texas in 1998 when Clinton was calling for regime change?
Now, I know I’m not going to change the minds of any of the True Believers…those who read all of Reverend Al’s sermons, and say things like, “You know, global warming can mean warmer OR colder, wetter OR drier, cloudier OR sunnier, windier OR calmer, …”. Can I get an ‘amen’??
I must have missed the Clinton invasion and occupation of Iraq and the trillions of dollars spent for same.........
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
That crap has been debunked so many times: The CIA and most other US intelligence agencies believed before the war that Saddam had stocks of biological and chemical weapons, was actively working on nuclear weapons and "probably" would have a nuclear weapon before the end of this decade. That faulty intelligence was shared with Congress – along with multiple mentions of some doubts within the intelligence community – in a formal National Intelligence Estimate just prior to the Senate and House votes to authorize the use of force against Iraq. No hard evidence has surfaced to support claims that Bush somehow manipulated the findings of intelligence analysts. In fact, two bipartisan investigations probed for such evidence and said they found none. http://factcheck.org/article358.html
Now, I know I’m not going to change the minds of any of the True Believers…those who read all of Reverend Al’s sermons, and say things like, “You know, global warming can mean warmer OR colder, wetter OR drier, cloudier OR sunnier, windier OR calmer, …”. Can I get an ‘amen’??
Rules for Libtards #9). Accuse the opposition of lying.... and lie while doing it…..
"I love the 45 caliber M1911, I respect the 9MM M9 Beretta but I only carry a CZ for my own personal protection". Quote courtesy of Lt Col John Dean Cooper, recognized as the Father of Modern Handgunning (_*_)
Libtards means libertarian retards?
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
There aren't that many Libertarians so I use it to describe Liberal retards....
"I love the 45 caliber M1911, I respect the 9MM M9 Beretta but I only carry a CZ for my own personal protection". Quote courtesy of Lt Col John Dean Cooper, recognized as the Father of Modern Handgunning (_*_)
Three Cheers for Torture!! Waterboarding works.
Does this mean the S&M club you pay dues to is having a tea this weekend?
Really Mike? That was uncalled for. That's the way it has to be here?
I don't watch TV, and I am not sure what Jergens is. I was also in the Army and served my second of my two enlistments in combat arms. Bin Laden planned and financed a lot of terrorism in his lifetime. He asked for what he got.
But you know about s&m parties...noted
After living through the Reagan and Bush 1 and 2 administrations, it would be impossible not to know what S&M is. As for soaking, I am clothed and dry, so I still don't get what you speak of. I suppose I could Google it, but I don't want to. It doesn't excite any curiosity in me.
Oh. Noted.
Yea like Carter, Clinton and Obama .......
"I love the 45 caliber M1911, I respect the 9MM M9 Beretta but I only carry a CZ for my own personal protection". Quote courtesy of Lt Col John Dean Cooper, recognized as the Father of Modern Handgunning (_*_)
So.. when did OBL make the FBI's most wanted list?
"http://first-draft-blog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c5ced53ef0148c7a28c4b970c-320wi"
The exact date????? The first website shows him in the 10 most wanted list in 1999..... But now since he is dead Ayman al-Zawahiri should slide into the #1 position...... www.fbi.gov/wanted/topten/usama-bin- http://laden">www.fbi.gov/wanted/topten/usama-bin-laden abcnews.go.com/US/slidesh...-10-wanted-fugitive-list- http://zawahiri-bin-">abcnews.go.com/US/slidesh...gitive-list-zawahiri-bin- laden- 2369979
"I love the 45 caliber M1911, I respect the 9MM M9 Beretta but I only carry a CZ for my own personal protection". Quote courtesy of Lt Col John Dean Cooper, recognized as the Father of Modern Handgunning (_*_)
Yep, that was after you Lefties whined about 'dead or alive'. The hypocrisy required to be a liberal is absolutely staggering, as you demonstrate here. btw, so...its 'bad' to 'waterboard' according to liberals like you and Owe- bama...but its perfectly fine to shoot an unarmed man twice in the head, along with his wife, in a country this administration insists is an ally, but we now know was providing a safe haven for the worlds most wanted terrorist for the past six plus years? And then further insist we send that country billions of dollars we don't have due to increasing the deficit by 4 trillion dollars? And you on the Left wonder why people think your nuts? Have a nice day.
I hear you knockin...go back where you been....
Waterboarding did not produce the evidence that got OBL. Bush caved in to whines from the left? That the man you are defending?
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Repeatable.
btw, so...its 'bad' to 'waterboard' according to liberals like you and Owe- bama...but its perfectly fine to shoot an unarmed man twice in the head, along with his wife, in a country this administration insists is an ally, but we now know was providing a safe haven for the worlds most wanted terrorist for the past six plus years? And then further insist we send that country billions of dollars we don't have due to increasing the deficit by 4 trillion dollars? Repeatable. Yep! It causes their heads to implode...lol
(laughing) Keep telling yourself that, cupcake.
I hear you knockin...go back where you been....
Plan on seeing it a lot in the future from me. The hypocrisy is both hilarious, and dangerous in the Whitehouse. Talk about bi polar....
I hear you knockin...go back where you been....
Well, they are empty like balloons now that you mention it...
I hear you knockin...go back where you been....
OBL’s demise is a great day for America, no doubt about that, and President Obama deserves credit for authorizing the raid that got him while the Navy SEALS deserve a place as heroes of American history.
#2. To: Badeye, no gnu taxes (#1)
#3. To: Godwinson (#2)
#4. To: no gnu taxes (#3)
What Bush was saying is that there is a whole lot more to addressing terror than just one man who had been severely marginalized.
#5. To: Godwinson (#4)
Yea, like invading another country that had zero to do with 9/11
#6. To: no gnu taxes (#5)
#7. To: no gnu taxes (#5)
#8. To: Godwinson (#6)
#9. To: no gnu taxes, war (#8)
They had the same level of intelligence presented to them. Did Bush provide faulty intelligence as governor of Texas in 1998 when Clinton was calling for regime change?
#10. To: war (#7)
#11. To: Godwinson (#6)
Based on the falsehoods Bush WH released.
#12. To: CZ82 (#11)
#13. To: Godwinson (#12)
Libtards means libertarian retards?
#14. To: no gnu taxes (#0)
#15. To: socalv8 (#14)
"Three Cheers for Torture!! Waterboarding works."
#16. To: Ferret Mike (#15)
Does this mean the S&M club you pay dues to
Obama is on Oprah. Get that Jergens ready. Win/win for the ferret.
#17. To: socalv8 (#16)
#18. To: Ferret Mike (#17)
I don't watch TV, and I am not sure what Jergens is.
Jergens- You're soaking in it
#19. To: socalv8 (#18)
"But you know about s&m parties...noted Jergens- You're soaking in it "
#20. To: Ferret Mike (#19)
After living through the Reagan and Bush 1 and 2 administrations, it would be impossible not to know what S&M is.
#21. To: Ferret Mike (#19)
After living through the Reagan and Bush 1 and 2 administrations, it would be impossible not to know what S&M is.
#22. To: CZ82 (#11)
Rules for Libtards #9). Accuse the opposition of lying.... and lie while doing it…..
#23. To: Rek (#22)
(Edited)
So.. when did OBL make the FBI's most wanted list?
#24. To: Godwinson (#2)
#25. To: Badeye (#24)
#26. To: Badeye (#24)
btw, so...its 'bad' to 'waterboard' according to liberals like you and Owe- bama...but its perfectly fine to shoot an unarmed man twice in the head, along with his wife, in a country this administration insists is an ally, but we now know was providing a safe haven for the worlds most wanted terrorist for the past six plus years? And then further insist we send that country billions of dollars we don't have due to increasing the deficit by 4 trillion dollars?
#27. To: socalv8, Badeye (#26)
(Edited)
#28. To: Godwinson (#25)
Waterboarding did not produce the evidence that got OBL
#29. To: socalv8 (#26)
Repeatable
#30. To: Murron (#27)
Yep! It causes their heads to implode...lol
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