Razor,
There's no argument that the terrorist network has to be wiped out. That is a tactical issue.
I'm trying to address, I guess not too clearly, the strategic issue of purpose of foreign and defense policy and the deployment of forces. Yes, we don't know if this barbaric massacre could have been prevented even if we had taken all possible precautions. No, we did not take all possible precautions. As a matter of fact we took little additional precaution. The Lockerbie families have been begging and pleading for us to upgrade security, as well as the official commission, to no avail. Obviously now, we do have the money and the personnel to protect us to a much higher degree than previously. Yes, we do have the money for sky marshalls, now.
Bush gave Sharon the green light and got lots of warnings from our Arab friends (clients?). Did the Bush administration warn the American people about the increased threat assessments from CIA? No, they were too busy selling the Star Wars boondoggle. Colin Powell was given a back seat. Clinton was not dealing with the terrorist problem either, but he was trying to make progress with the Israel/Palestine conflict, which is essential to solving the whole knot of problems in the region.
Regards,
RWS |
