posted on September 22, 2001 03:57:09 PM
Why stay put? I wonder about that, too, it would seem he could stir the pot a great deal by skipping over the border to areas under control of his supporters over in the Kashmir region, for example.
Keep in mind tho that it appears his greatest concentration of worshipful supporters are right there in Afghanistan. If he drops any attempts to communicate electronically and uses five-finger transfers instead (he's reported to have already shifted to sending couriers around with ZIP disks) all our satellite and U2 observations will be pretty useless.
Consider, too, the man is quite distinctive.... he's 6'5" tall and can't disguise that. Plus, he evidently has kidney problems and needs occasional dialysis. It's the other ruthless terrorists, the access to his finances, and how much anger we'll arouse in Moslem countries in the process of getting him that is of most concern to me now.
posted on September 22, 2001 04:12:01 PMAfter all, absolutely no action has been taken, as of yet.
You're right Toke. Some are assuming we're going to "bomb 'em back into the stoneage" so to speak. All things considered, I think if that was GW's plan, it would have started already. It wouldn't take this long just to fire off some missles and send in bombers. I'm not sure we know the full extent of "the plan", but "bombing them into the stoneage" isn't it, I don't think.
without military attack.....eliminate the terrorists
Am I the only one, or does this resemble an oxymoron?
[ edited by Microbes on Sep 22, 2001 04:15 PM ]
posted on September 22, 2001 05:34:45 PMrevenge is the issue right now
I prefer to feel that 'justice' is the issue.
Aren't they really 2 sides of the same coin? What is "Justice" other than "Civilized Revenge"? Justice just means you take the time to be sure your right.
posted on September 22, 2001 06:12:39 PMJustice just means you take the time to be sure your right...Exactly. And that is why I was so upset with Mr. Bush, when he wanted to take immediate REVENGE and strike blindly...Now, his advisors (here and abroad) have shown him the reasons why it will be more beneficial to infiltrate, THEN strike.
I too, bemoan the thousands of innocents people, including many children, who will lose their life! And our soldiers!
I am very anti-war; however, I am not brain-dead, and do recognize that there is no way to rationalize with a terrorist, particularly one as resourceful (and wealthy) as Bin Laden.
posted on September 22, 2001 06:19:43 PM
I don't think that anyone has suggested rationalizing with bin Ladin. He is beyond that sphere of communication.
Believing that covert, special operations is the way to smoke out terrorists is not a brain dead idea. Killing innocent people just for revenge/justice is.
posted on September 22, 2001 06:24:43 PMHelen...It looks like this is a lose-lose situation! Personally, I cannot think of a bloodless way to end this: if we let it go, he will continue...When we retaliate, that will open the floodgates to bloodshed, potentially, worldwide So sad! So disturbing!
posted on September 22, 2001 07:28:45 PM
Helen, I was trying to point out that (IMO) justice has it's roots in revenge, and only a layer of civilization seperate the two. I know quoted 2 people, I was just trying to examine the issue.
posted on September 22, 2001 10:22:01 PM
Microbes,
"Helen, I was trying to point out that (IMO) justice has it's roots in revenge, and only a layer of civilization seperate the two. I know quoted 2 people, I was just trying to examine the issue"
Very interesting and I think that I understand.......Crime, then revenge which is possibly mitigated by justice depending on the degree of civility practiced by the group.