Editorial: Pursuing Osama bin Laden

Sierra Vista Herald, Sierra Vista Arizona ^ | June 22, 2005 | Editor

[SandRat]

Porter Goss seems confident he knows where America's most wanted man is.

But the CIA director doesn't really want to talk about it. Or so was the impression he gave during a congressional hearing on Monday.

And why shouldn't he feel that way?

Osama bin Laden has eluded capture the past four years. It's a frustrating issue for the United States. To get the leader of the terrorist group that struck our homeland is an important pursuit. But it comes with many obstacles, and most are likely political.

Goss alluded to this during Monday's hearing. He said trying to get bin Laden is something that must be done in a way that other nations would condone. It is something that comes with political consequences.

If bin Laden is in Pakistan, where some analysts believe he is, it comes with the possibility that the powerful and fanatical factions in that nuclear nation may overthrow a government friendly to the United States. The Pakistani president already has had attacks on his life several times.

If bin Laden is in Iran, getting the al Qaida leader comes with the threat of spurring a larger division between the leaders of Iran and our nation - something that already is an unsteady political situation.

Then there are other nations, such as our supposed allies of France, Germany, Russia and others. They would have to "approve" of the techniques used to capture bin Laden. This would be politically important in the aftermath of the Iraq affair.

Underneath all of the politics is the reality that bin Laden's forces planned and carried out a terrorist attack so big, so terrible, that it will be etched in all Americans' minds when the word horror is used.

We need to pursue bin Laden to the farthest reaches of the Earth. Our armed forces have already been working toward that goal. They, as well as us, know that must continue.

Getting bin Laden would be a huge moral victory, much bigger than getting former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

But the pursuit must be quiet, which is why Goss was right not to want to say too much in public and before Congress. Talking too much about the pursuit of America's most wanted man could give too much away.

[SandRat]

ping

[Normal4me]

I say we set the Afghanistan border on fire when we have a westerly prevailing wind.

[DugwayDuke]

The only thing I would regret about catching Bin Laden is the inevitable democrat response. "Well, now that the war on terror is over....."

[eyespysomething]

I STILL think the CIA or whoever knows where he is and is watching him, to see who he talks to, what governments he works within, what he's going to do etc etc If they "got" him, they would not get any info from him, even if they did put him in air conditioning.

And I hope if they do catch him, they kill him. What a mess if they have to hold him for a trial.

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

I'll probably get blasted for saying this.... but the thought just crossed my mind..... is it possible that Bush (the administration) thinks that if we find Osama and bring him to justice, then that will somewhat end the necessity, in the minds of a LOT of people to continue the war on terrorism?

Personally, I think, make that, I KNOW, that terrorism will continue long after Osama dies.... and we will have to face that truth, but many many people will use Osama's capture as an excuse to end the war on terrorism.

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

It seems that while I was typing my long response that you beat me to the point....... but I agree with you

[iconoclast]

We're pursuing bin Laden?

Thanks for the heads-up!

[EsmeraldaA]

I hope his Dialysis machine brakes!

[SandRat]

That is unfortunately a very accurate response to be anticipated.

[SandRat]

...if we find Osama and bring him to justice, then that will somewhat end the necessity, in the minds of a LOT of people to continue the war on terrorism?

Aww go ahead and specify the LOT. Leftist DimocRATS and yes the caterwauling would be horrendous from them. Not based on any form of reality but caterwauling none the less.

You give them too much credit by implying that they have minds all they can do is be the good little party members and repeat the talking points.

[Rocky Mountain High]

I agree 100%. The Dims will insist the war is over so let's get back to the war on racism, sexism, poverty, blahblahblah.

The CIA and others may also have intel regarding sleeper cells/units who have standing orders to pull something off once OBL is taken down.

Other than the beltway sniper and the possibility of terrorism in last year's California fires, I wonder why we haven't been hit again.

Thoughts?

[fiftymegaton]

Maybe Al Qaeda wants the next attack to be larger, the death toll to be higher, and be all around more dramatic than 9/11? Not an easy feat. I don't think anyone really doubts the fact Al Qaeda could set off a couple car bombs here and there(maybe there are a few). But I don't think that would really 'further' their cause.

[Rocky Mountain High]

That kind of attack takes years of planning and these guys are patient.
I think an attack on a soft target could have a pretty devastating affect on our psyche.

[GladesGuru]

This article has a whiff of appeasement about it. If Ben Laden can be reliably located, then that's what we have cruise missiles, predator drones, etc. for. Use them; that is what they are for.

The article also has a strong implied fear of nuclear retaliation against us on the part of Pakistan? ? ? What an a$$! While it is true that some whacko may be able to nuke a city or so in the USA, our response would be to make Islam extinct.

And the Islamo-wacko crowd knows that. If there is any real chance that some jihadi nut doesn't know that, perhaps it is time for another lesson since the Hiroshima/Nagasaki lesson may have faded from the world's memory.

I don't recommend multi-trial learning, especially of that lesson. But if there is no other way, perhaps Medina is a good place for the next lesson.

On the other hand, if Ben laden is in Iran, I hereby humbly propose that a modified "habeas corpus" writ could be read in the UN. Basically, I propose that it say "Hand him over now or be advised that the next thing you will see is what the Japanese call 'The blinding light of satori' - as the MIRV warheads detonate."

Either way, the Ben Laden problem is over.

The Russians will not be sorry to see Islam quieted, since the Chechens are Muslims. Remember all the terrorist bombs in Russia?

India will like the suddenly silent Paki's, Fidel and Chavez will pipe down and the soccer MOMs will like the lower price of fuel and no more worries about a bomb in their mall, school, or children's playground.

After all, "If you support a terrorist you are a terrorist".

Let's apply it. And let's not forget the Palestinian terrorists either. The Israeli's can have that chicken dressed and cleaned in short order.

[ASA Vet]

Another Elvis Bin Laden story.

We seem to be in a high cycle again.

[TomasUSMC]

perhaps it is time for another lesson since the Hiroshima/Nagasaki lesson may have faded from the world's memory.

---

Yepper. IMO, we should have applied this lesson on 9/12. It is time for ultimatums. And we better understand very soon, before its too late, that in the nuclear age, when it comes to ultimatums -

tis beta to give dan reeeeeeceeeeeve.