Richard Clarke
Posted on 07/12/2007 12:01:15 PM PDT by tobyhill
WASHINGTON — A new threat assessment headed for the White House says Al Qaeda is "better positioned to strike the West," but President Bush insists the terror network is not as strong as it was before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Details of the report revealed by an unnamed counterterrorism official who revealed its contents to The Associated Press said Al Qaeda is "considerably operationally stronger than a year ago" and has "regrouped to an extent not seen since 2001."
"They are showing greater and greater ability to plan attacks in Europe and the United States," the official said. The group also has created "the most robust training program since 2001, with an interest in using European operatives," the official quoted the report as saying.
President Bush on Thursday called the terror network a "serious threat to our homeland" but said Al Qaeda is weaker than it was prior to Sept. 11, 2001, when it struck a heavy blow on the United States.
"There is a perception in the coverage that Al Qaeda may be as strong today as they were prior to September the 11th. That's just simply not the case. I think the report will say since 2001, not prior to September the 11th, 2001," Bush told reporters, referencing a new threat assessment that says Al Qaeda has reconstituted itself to a level unseen since the months before Sept. 11, 2001.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Uh huh. Its a slam dunk.....
How Dare Bush not agree with an unnamed expert?
Yesterday the report said the source was paraphrasing from the conclusions of the draft that was in process of being finalized.
Very likely a little of both.
Reality is AQ is far worse off today then in 2001 by any and all reasonable measures.
Do they still want to hit us? Yes.
Yep. Facinating to watch, annoying to realize its how things are these days.
Last time I recall an ‘anonymous source’ it was Mr Plame.
I am not so sure. I think our taking Al Qaeda head on is strengthening their resolve. They take defeats on the battlefield tactically but I am wondering about the strategic picture. We have just been fortunate that they have not pulled another 9/11. It’s not a matter of if but a matter of when they strike again. Look at how vunerable our subways are. Millions of people travel them every single day. It’s a numbers game and the odds are in their favor.
“”There is a perception in the coverage that Al Qaeda may be as strong today as they were prior to September the 11th. That’s just simply not the case. I think the report will say since 2001, not prior to September the 11th, 2001,” Bush told reporters”
Even if this is the case, it’s hardly a positive point to say that an enemy has not been weakened during five and a half years of war with them?
Richard Clarke
I would like to see a loop around his freakin’ neck
OK, I'll give em that they are unimpeded in the mountains of Pakistan and we can't (yet) attack them there and for every dumb ass muslim sheet head we blow away 10 more imbicles are begging to get blown up also. But.....how exactly does that make them stronger or give them more capabilities to attack us?
I guees that must be why number 2 recently sent out and hour long video practically begging for help.
If he wants a legacy it should be one of sitting the 6th and 7th Fleet and several boomers in strategic locations around the bodies of water surrounding the Middle East and evaporating (conventionally) another city in the every single day until we bring them to their knees. These people want total war we will give it to them. We did it with the japs’ to end WWII. Although we did it atomically against the japs the threat of nuclear annihilation should also be used agaist the rags. When we start killing these people by the hundreds of thousands maybe they will wake the hell up and see we are no longer f’n around with them. We can start with Iran and Syria first.
Perfect.
Richard the LiarHearted at LeftWay Park.
Perfect.
I did a search and that photo stood out. Where else would this lying piece of crap be photographed than in the heart of left wing politics?
Anyone who thinks Al Qaeda is as strong today as in 2001, or even 2006, is an idiot. Anyone who thinks now is the time to remove the pressure is a dangerous idiot. Anyone who thinks now is the time and has the power to remove the pressure is a frightening dangerous idiot.
All they care about is getting their power back.
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