U.S. general: Time ‘running out’ for bin Laden

MSNBC ^ | 2/17/04

[areafiftyone]

WASHINGTON - The commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan said Tuesday that his troops are stepping up efforts to capture Osama bin Laden and ousted Taliban leader Mullah Omar, maintaining that the "sand in their hour glass is running out."

Briefing Pentagon reporters via teleconference from Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, Army Lt. Gen. David Barno said the United States and Pakistan are improving cooperation in efforts to eradicate al-Qaida elements, using a "hammer and anvil approach" that will drive the terrorists out of Pakistan and across the Afghan border.

Barno also confirmed reports that the Pakistani military has entered tribal areas of the border region in the last two months in an effort to uncover and disrupt terrorist operations.

"I think that's one of several new initiatives that I see the Pakistanis undertaking that are very encouraging and I think will have effective results," he said.

[50sDad]

November would be good, but any time now is fine.

[Mr. Mojo]

I have a feeling we're going to find the SOB, and soon. And when we do, the Dems can kiss their chances adios in Nov.

[smith288]

The commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan said Tuesday that his troops are stepping up efforts to capture Osama bin Laden and ousted Taliban leader Mullah Omar, maintaining that the "sand in their hour glass is running out."

How much more "stepping up the effort" can they do before its maxed out effort? (rhetorical)

Go USA, kill that rat bastard or show him cowering in a hole.

[areafiftyone]

Actually I wouldn't mind it happening during the Democratic convention - just to steal their thunder. But like you I will take any time.

[olde north church]

I thought I was a cold individual.

[Loyal Buckeye]

General Wesley Clark: I can catch OBL in 12 notes.

John Fonda Kerry: I can catch OBL in 9 notes.

[Kenton]

Would that this were true, but we've heard this so many times in the past year. Just let me know when they've got him laid out on a board getting cold.

[TADSLOS]

Just let me know when they've got him laid out on a board getting cold.

Who'se to say that he isn't already just hanging out to freeze dry, waiting for the press release. ;~)

[Grut]

Ah, nostalgia... if you're old enough, this brings back "light at the end of the tunnel."

[Cap Huff]

FYI

I think the same general used the same "sand in the hour glass" analogy a couple of weeks ago. I guess we can at least say the assessment hasn't changed in the last couple of weeks.

[FlatLandBeer]

Can you imagine if Bin Laden is Captured the day or Kerry's nomination or Labor day the traditional start of the campaign....

[teletech]

Binny boy WILL turn up but with Americas hearts and minds focused on jobs and our ecomomy, will he do the President much good in the long run? I hope so.

[areafiftyone]

snicker snicker!

[areafiftyone]

Well at least it will shut the democreep's mouth about "Where is Bin Laden?" I am sick of hearing them say that.

[js1138]

Go USA, kill that rat bastard or show him cowering in a hole.

We could probably take obl out any time, but it's much better to do it slowly, so his troops can come to his aid and be destroyed with him. Unfortunately that involves looking week, being bait, and taking risks. But it is the organization we want to destroy.

The tighter the net gets, the more communications and traffic there will be, and more allies will be reveled.

[el_texicano]

November??? Nah...the bulk of undecideds make up their minds the last few weeks of the campaign. Early October would be optimal.

1. The Dims would go ballistic with claims of "October Surprise" and flail all about the place like a beached fish.

2. It would suck all the air out of the DemocRAT attack ads (despite all the hot air about CFR...it only applies to Republicans).

Ah, now that would be sweet. A clean electoral sweep. Go W!!!!

[Steve_Seattle]

" . . . but we've heard this so many times in the past year."

Yes, but this time the prediction isn't coming from Mansoor Ijaz.

[steve86]

I have a feeling we're going to find the SOB, and soon. And when we do, the Dems can kiss their chances adios in Nov.

I just don't see it as a big factor. Maybe if he were caught on the morning of the election, there might be a Bush glow factor that afternoon. But after a day or two it just won't stand out in people's minds. Who could be foolish enough to believe that Islamic terrorism, ebbing and flowing for centuries, will end with the capture or death of one man? And why hasn't the capture of SH cemented Bush's election prospects? People's minds are more on everyday things like their jobs and house payments.

[Mr. Mojo]

Before long the Dem candidate will be pounding home the fact that we haven't yet caught the guy responsible for the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history, you can bank on it. It'll one of the staples of their campaign. His head will be firmly in the noose, and finding UBL would then hang him. As it stands right now I agree with you that it would give the Prez only a temporary lift.