<<I believe that assassination of the terrorist leaders would be the cheapest and most efficient way to carry out our mission to slow down or stop these terrorist attacks>>
Without commenting on the direct effectiveness of this tactic, I must remind you that it would violate international law as well as our own Executive Orders. It would alienate many other nations, even if there were no "rules" concerning the action. Can we really afford to isolate ourselves to that degree? In the short-term, it seems effective, but there are ramifications other than the obvious ones, that would include trade sanctions against the U.S., lack of cooperation from other nations, making each strike more difficult, travel restrictions, potential action against the U.S. as we are seen as terrorists in the eyes of the world. Some of these seem petty, but the American populace doesn't take well to long lasting discomfort or higher prices.
If you could figure out a way to do it that couldn't be tracked back to the U.S., I might donate the first dollar to the cause. At least you would be sure of striking at the people actually responsible. Of course, as has been noted on this board in the past, when the general populace feels threatened (bombs at home, not in South Africa), they will probably call for just such an action as you describe. |
