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What Should Have Happened (LeBoutillier alert)
NewsMax ^ | 03/03/03 | John LeBoutillier

Posted on 03/03/2003 2:36:18 PM PST by Pokey78

Sept. 12, 2001 – one day after the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks. The president addresses the nation – and the world.

Yesterday we suffered the single worst attacks on our territory ever – including Pearl Harbor.

Who did it?

Well, we know that al Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, supplied the fanatical suicide pilots. And bin Laden is taking credit for this horrendous act of mass murder.

But we have combed through our intelligence records of the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993 and determined that Saddam Hussein was the mastermind of that attack – and he was also a partner with al Qaeda in yesterday's attack.

Having failed in 1993 to bring the Twin Towers down, they worked for years to enact another plan to accomplish their goal.

Furthermore, we have been provided with evidence that the lead pilot in yesterday's attack on the World Trade Center, Mohamed Atta, has previously met with top Iraqi intelligence officials in Prague.

Based on all of this intelligence, I am ordering today a full-scale retaliation against both al Qaeda and the government of Iraq.

I am ordering the immediate activation of all armed force reserve units, and our Pentagon will soon announce plans for the movement of over 500,000 troops to fight simultaneously in Afghanistan and Iraq.

We are also placing Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein on our Most Wanted List.

We aim to capture or kill both – and their leading henchmen, too.

We will dispose of the vile Taliban in Afghanistan – and we will remove Saddam from power and replace him with a U.N.-sponsored administration while paving the way for election of a new government in Baghdad.

We expect the world to support us in avenging yesterday's mass murder on Americans and others from over 30 nations living and working here in the United States.

* * *

Had President Bush done this 18 months ago – when all the world supported us after 9/11 – all of our 'supposed allies' – like France and Germany – would have supported anything we wanted to do. All the world was behind us in those sad first days after the attacks.

There would have been none of the friction we see today.

The Bush administration blew it by initially denying an Iraqi link – and then suddenly claiming one after all.

The result?

We're losing ground day by day in world opinion precisely because we waited too long to link Osama and Saddam.

The blame goes to both the Bush political advisers and to the intelligence community.

In life, timing is everything. And the timing now is bad. On 9/12/2001 it was perfect.


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
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1 posted on 03/03/2003 2:36:18 PM PST by Pokey78
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To: Pokey78
Note to LeButtHead - no one really cares what you think, especially anyone in the Bush Administration. But at least Newsmax won't have to post a disclaimer about this column, so I guess you're improving.
2 posted on 03/03/2003 2:38:44 PM PST by dirtboy (FreeRepublic - making liberals look like the idiots they truly are since 1997)
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To: dirtboy
While monday morning quarterbacking is easy, the author makes a valid point. The interminable delay is weakening. The going to the UN thing seems almost stupid.

Here's hoping the author and I are both proved wrong.
3 posted on 03/03/2003 2:43:48 PM PST by the gillman@blacklagoon.com
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To: Pokey78
The same nay sayers of today would have been around on 9/12/1. To say otherwise is merely an attempt to justify not supporting him today. The fact that GWB didn't do what the writer suggests proves that he was looking for the facts. From the get go GWB said it would take time and it would be unpopular. I'd say he did a pretty good job of predicting that. I supported GWB then and I support him now. I do wish we could get on with it but my support has not and will not faulter.
4 posted on 03/03/2003 2:44:42 PM PST by Conspiracy Guy (RW&B)
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Comment #5 Removed by Moderator

To: Badabing Badaboom
Since I consider Woodward a piece of trash, I haven't and won't read his book.

What reason did he give?
6 posted on 03/03/2003 2:49:58 PM PST by the gillman@blacklagoon.com
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To: Pokey78
We're losing ground day by day in world opinion precisely because we waited too long to link Osama and Saddam.

Only leftist pansies care; the adults of the nation are more concerned about our security. And in the end, the rest of the world needs us more than we need them.
7 posted on 03/03/2003 2:50:28 PM PST by Welsh Rabbit
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Comment #8 Removed by Moderator

Comment #9 Removed by Moderator

To: Pokey78
We may wake up soon to find Saddam dead or captured with our assembled troops simply waiting to move in to preserve order and establish a base of operations. Bush has surprised before and I wouldn't be shocked if he were working quietly behind the scenes for such a senario to unfold.
10 posted on 03/03/2003 2:55:51 PM PST by Mind-numbed Robot
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To: Pokey78
Let's see...day 1 we move half a million troops to Afghanistan and Iraq. 2 days later we've taken care of those little difficulties. Day 3 we move the half a million troops to Korea. On Day 5 N. Korea capitulates. Day 6 the half a million troops return home to the families who have barely had time to miss them.

Who is this person?

11 posted on 03/03/2003 2:57:28 PM PST by What Is Ain't
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To: Pokey78
Our supposed allies would have balked then, too. you give them too much credit - I can hear them now - "America is reacting reflexively, and just because it has the power to immediately strike those it believes responsible, it must act with prudence, investigating the suspects and methods definitively, then moving forward with due care and discretion with her allies around the globe."
12 posted on 03/03/2003 2:57:58 PM PST by Chancellor Palpatine (those who unilaterally beat their swords into plowshares wind up plowing for those who don't)
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To: Pokey78
Oh my...this is a new development from the leftists...what happened to the "RUSH TO WAR" argument? Oh...that's right...we have waited too long on the UN for that argument to work anymore. Give me a break...they can't have it both ways...
13 posted on 03/03/2003 2:59:46 PM PST by ravingnutter
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To: Pokey78
President Bush was very thoughtful following 9/11. Instead of blowing his top, which i would've done, he calmly allowed us to soak in both the tragedy and the seriousness of that day. We were allowed to reflect on this attack, and try to look for survivors, and start the healing process. Very important.

Then he came out later with the best speech of the last 200 years; I think everyone should re-read the text of his speech (forget the date, it was a few weeks after 9/11); it is the most clear, most forceful argument for the existence of the United States and its role in the world; it clearly defines our game plan; and if you notice it lists who will be ousted, and in what order. His behavior post-9/11 is astounding, strong, and brilliant. As long as he sticks to his guns, he will most likely be the most important figure in U.S. history for many decades. My humble opinion...
14 posted on 03/03/2003 3:00:50 PM PST by mallardx
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To: Badabing Badaboom
I don't read much fiction or fantasy lately, haven't had the time. (Sarcasm). Woodward is not one of my favorite people or writers. Send me an excerpt on statement, "But he had a very good reason not to, it seems".
15 posted on 03/03/2003 3:05:35 PM PST by Conspiracy Guy (RW&B)
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Comment #16 Removed by Moderator

To: Pokey78
Hopefully, this "waiting around", will lead to the demise of the UN. If so Bush did an excellent job!!
17 posted on 03/03/2003 3:11:31 PM PST by Coroner
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To: Badabing Badaboom
Thanks.
Very interesting.

..."because we're not ready to do anything about it."...

The worst of our fears, for many. Clinton did that much harm?
18 posted on 03/03/2003 3:15:14 PM PST by the gillman@blacklagoon.com
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To: Pokey78
Like Rush said - these people live in fantasyland - what they believe in has no relation to reality.
19 posted on 03/03/2003 5:13:03 PM PST by CyberAnt
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To: Pokey78; Quix; ALOHA RONNIE
Timing is Everything.

Right now, Hillary Clinton is plotting a Return to the White House,

Right now, is the time to RUN HER OUT OF TOWN!!

Judicial Watch has a lawsuit going to ruin Hillary's political career forever. But this takes help from us.

If WE drop the ball
Hillary will run for President
And Win

Judicial Watch needs our help to pursue the She-Witch
until EVERYONE knows the evil that is her soul.

http://www.judicialwatch.org

NOW IS THE TIME
20 posted on 03/03/2003 9:20:07 PM PST by Joy Angela
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