Big Military Strike Not Soon Expected

Associated Press ^ | 10-5-01 | PAULINE JELINEK

[MichelleWSC]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Administration and European officials are signaling that a major military action may not come anytime soon, even as U.S. troops, warplanes and ships gather in the Gulf region.

Meanwhile, Taliban soldiers were reported Friday to be taking heavy weapons into the mountains of Afghanistan to await an assault.

There were growing signs that the coalition the United States is assembling for the anti-terrorism campaign is still struggling to decide exactly what to do

[pgkdan]

Bush wants a "coalition" with states that currently support terror, in the hopes they'll swear it off. He wants to make them his friends rather than declare them to be the enemy. They are already trying to stall him, they asked him not to attack, now they are attending some big Islamic conference, which they will draw out as long as possible, asking Bush not to take action until they're done. They'll release their results, which will be: 1)they are saddened by the attack on America 2)they don't like Bin Laden 3)they would be glad to help us fight terrorism. Of course, they'll be lying through their teeth. They WON'T help us find terrorists, they'll just continue to stall and obfuscate. And Bush will sit patiently, waiting for them to give him permission to attack.

Ditto all of that...and you're evaluation of the self vaulted Illbay!

[VRWC_minion]

Omigosh, Bush can only do one thing at a time ?

[MagnusMat]

Well, lets see here, maybe Bush senior didn't have to worry about the economy going into nose dive.

[boycott]

Let's just drop a few A-bombs and go home.

[aculeus]

One reason for going slowly (which I'm sure our leaders but not most FR posters) have considered: it gives the world police more time to locate the terrorists among us.

Every one arrested is one less potential deliverer of OBL's retaliation for our upcoming attacks.

A neat move out of Germany: the police are using electric usage data bases to locate rented apartments that are empty. They may be safe houses for terrorists.

[Alberta's Child]

There has been so much disinformation being passed around out here that I don't believe any of it. One thing is for certain, though. You don't send five aircraft carriers to the Indian Ocean just to give some Navy sailors a long tropical vacation.

[mwl1]

Quick comments: if he wants the souffle to collapse, he made a hell of a mess for himself with his speech to Congress; focusing on the domestic economy is imperative to his re-election; and if he is not serious about hitting back militarily he will not be re-elected; his greatest political danger is the RATS getting to his right.

[KC_Conspirator]

I agree with you. When we say we not going to attack, then its pretty assured that its in the works. When we say we are going to attack "here", then we will attack "there". This is just more disinformation and the stupidity of the media.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

Thamk you? Hey, that's a pretty good word thamk you. I'll have to use it again.

[pgkdan]

You know I really want to support the President...I campaigned for him and voted for him. I actually spent more time working for him the month leading up to the VA primary than I did at work, but he's making it harder and harder. He's ratcheting down the rhetoric big time. When's the last time you heard him refer to the horrible assault on America as an act of war? Now it's an incident. Then the business this week supporting a Palestinian State, if that's not terrorist appeasement then I don't know what is. But I really got a sick feeling in my gut when they changed the name of the operation so as not to offend the terrorists. (No, I don't mean Arab coalition partners...I mean terrorists)

I'm not saying that he won't do the right thing...in my heart I know that Bush and Cheney are truly good men and I know that they love their country. I'm praying for patience.

[jammer]

You are both correct, and cool heads have to prevail. Mombonn told me in an email what she does for a living--and it includes seeing the public. I don't know about dirtboy, but I see a lot of the public also. I think what is happening (except with Veronica) is people were so proud and hopeful for GWB, but are now having to defend him in public. At least that's what is happening to me. Do you have the same experience? I think people need SOMEthing to say, "There, my man DOES have brass balls!" I don't think our FR people, in the main, are deserting him. I think they are letting off steam.

[RickyJ]

Everyday it looks more clearer that Bush is going to do nothing!

Oh he'll do something all right, he has to if he has any hopes of remaining in the White House. I see no need for trying to take out just Osama and his network only, why not take the entire Taliban out? Before we attack them I guess Bush wants to give them all one last meal.

[Hilltop]

A more cogent and salient response could not have been written. Nothing on tv, so let's see some tracer fire. President Bush is keenly aware of what transpired on 9/11/01 and the act of war will not go unanswered. So, if you can't find something to watch among the five hundred channels beamed into your cheeto orange den, rent a movie, or better yet, do something purposeful with your spare time.

[jacquej]

You got it, stevoe!

The new moon of 10/16 ( October 16th) is worth watching. And I know, big time!

Nuff said, loose lips sink ships!

Watch that date folks, and remember me when you see what happens then.

There is a time and a place for all things under heaven! Wise is the man who waits for the right time!

[stripes1776]

Anybody notice how close "Colin" is to "colon" and how close "Powell" is to "bowel"?
Just a coincidence, I'm sure, but I'm equally sure exactly what he's full of.

Well, this could mean that the guy has guts.

I don't know if Powell is being too cautious or not. I do think that if he gets angry, I would not want to be on the receving end of this Colin.

[borkrules]

Then we wait for spring...

That is NOT a politically viable option. Whatever the military or diplomatic pressures, some sort of response MUST be forthcoming before Thanksgiving. I think the domestic political pressure will build beyond the breaking point sometime thereafter. In fact, all bets are off in the event of another attack.

[dirtboy]

That is NOT a politically viable option.

Our soldiers die unnecessarily if we act because of political necessity instead of military expediency. This will take leadership, not poll-driven attacks. Otherwise, let's just shoot the rest of our cruise missiles off (the few that survived Clinton's need to distract from his scandals) and go home.

[Kozak]

Look in the sky. See that big bright thing at night? The moon. New moon is coming on the 16th. Look for our responce some time between the 14th and the 18th.

Look theres the "Clinton way": leak like mad, toss a few cruise missles at empty tents declare victory and go home, and theres the RIGHT WAY. Maximum preparation, air tight security, and overwhelming, focused force.

I am sure that we are going about this the RIGHT WAY.

Patience, Patience.....

[jacquej]

the 16th of October, my friend!

Mark it on your calendar, friends. Be patient, and wait for the time and tide3 to be with us!

[awgie2]

We have a loaded gun pointed at their heads. If they do something over here before we strike over there.....they will have handed us a reason not just to punish, but to utterly destroy them.

Patience is a virtue in this situation. We are facing an adversary who presents us with the most complex and challenging terms of engagement. He is everywhere, and he is nowhere. He has delivered the most devastating blow ever experienced by the worlds greatest most powerful nation. His arsenal is complete with an inventory of the most destructive and devious strategies. He has more surprises for us. This is not the Gulf War...not even close. The fact is...we are currently more vulnerable than he is. Currently, he can do more damage to us than we can do him. The longer we target him, the more the advantage will shift to us. Only through skillful intelligence work and targeted use of force can we defeat this enemy. This is very much like a cancer...it has invaded our national body and must be extracted in a surgical manner.

In addition, I believe he is waiting for us to launch an assault before he hits us here at home again. None of us are looking forward to that. If he hits us before we retaliate it will only solidify our resolve, and further illustrate the insane animal that he is.