(1)Bush goes on tv, expresses profound sympathy for the victims, but no biting of the lip, no tears, no trembling voice. This is war, there will be casualties, and this is a war message.
(2)In private communications to the allies and "moderate" Middle Eastern nations, tell them it's war -- a real war -- and they are with us or against us. We expect them to be with us.
(3)Specifically, and initially in private, we tell the Egyptians, Kuwaitis, Saudis, Turks, Pakistanis, etc. that this is an all-out reckoning with the entire terrorist entente. They can be with us or against us, but since U.S. troops need to be deployed to the region, they'd better be with us. If they're not, we're prepared to occupy and run the oilfields as an international trust for the next 50 years. The troops are coming either way.
(4)Iraq, Iran, Libya, Syria, the Palestinians (and any other governments around the world with a toe in the terrorist camp, including specifically Cuba) are given an ultimatum. This would first be given privately. If not acted upon by a time certain (I suggest 72 hours), the ultimatum would be made public as part of a war message to Congress. Among other things, those 72 hours must be used to lay down the law to Congress. If Bush is firm, there will not be more than a dozen opponents on the Hill.
(5)The terms of the ultimatum are open to discussion. At a minimum, IMO, we should: (a) Present a comprehensive list of names developed by U.S., Israeli, and other allied intelligence over the last 20 years of individuals connected with terrorist crimes. The governments that shelter these people should be given 72 hours to produce them, or we're going to come get them. It may take a year to get troops in position, but in the meantime, it's war, and that means the airfields, communications systems, electrical systems, etc. are hit immediately, and the troops WILL come over the hill to clean up when they can. (b) Present a comprehensive list of on site inspection measures, as intrusive as necessary, to be implemented immediately. They have 72 hours to think it over, or the troops are coming.(c)Other measures may be added; (a) and (b) are just a start.
(6)Bush should immediately order a military callup; if the demands are met, we can stand down.
(7)If the private ultimatum is not met, Bush should present a formal war message to Congress. And in every public statement he must emphasize that terrorism has been a cancer for 30 years; this is just the biggest single event, but it is nothing new except that it's come home here; that this is a dirty war against terrorists, and we must expect casualties; but that we are going to win this war, and the guilty will be punished.
(8)Arafat should be told he will immediately accept a real peace settlement that guarantees Israel's security; that part of that settlement is his own departure; and that his alternative is to hang with Osama bin Laden.
That's a start. Bush needs to make the right statement today, and he needs to do the rest within a couple of days. And he should immediately use this occasion to short circuit the truly petty bickering over the budget, say this is war, and do what needs to be done on defense.
P.S. Bush also needs to be very clear that we are not terrorists. We will not wage war on innocents. That means we will accept the burden of troops on the ground and the attendant casualties. But troops on the ground also means that the pro-terrorist governments cannot hide. They can root out the terrorists themselves, or they will be replaced. This may mean a big war, but it is one we will win if we fight to win. And if an American expeditionary force has to prop up a puppet regime in Iraq or Syria for ten years, so be it. We will pay for it with Arab oil, and we will stay a generation if necessary to build a civilized successor regime.
PPS. All this rests on three assumptions. (1) Low level terrorism can be sustained the grassroots, but sophisticated, sustained, large scale terrorism requires governmental protection and support, including an elaborate propaganda apparatus to condition the masses. Strike to kill at the guilty governments, and the terrorist threat CAN be curtailed. (2) Today's events are capable of catalyzing the American public, if our leaders are up to it. (3) Bush is up to it.
I am reasonably confident of (1) and (2). We'll see about (3). Bush needs to understand that this is the WHOLE ball of wax, right now. Fail this test, his presidency is lost. Meet the challenge, and he can carry most of his agenda for the next six years, domestically as well as internationally. I think I'm going to say a prayer.
I like the concept.
BTW>> anyone know the penetration capabilities of neutrons, ie. neutron bombs? I know it is much greater than alpha, beta particles. I don't remember how much greater.