To: KonKilo who wrote (668 ) 5/19/2003 7:46:16 AM From: LPS5 Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 20039 An accurate, open investigation is unlikely to occur for several reasons: 1) This administration has shown an amazing propensity for secretiveness from its inception. I'm not sure how old you are, but I'm quite sure that this level of secrecy was observed during World War II and other situations where - true or not - the pols determined that the immediate danger to national security was unique and nonlinear. I'm not sure that unless you look back that far, comparisons to recent administrations and more specifically the international political environment - are in any way apt. Which brings up the second issue: if you know about a secret that was kept and released or is (allegedly) being kept, it's not quite a secret, is it? Unless you're assuming that any question bandied about and not addressed reveals some cover-up, which is among the most slippery of (conspiratorial) slopes.2) We have heard several reporters describe the climate of fear-mongering that permeates this administration. Any investigative body will need to be led by fearless, iron-willed individuals, a rare commodity indeed these days. The profit motive of media businesses alone virtually ensures that if there was a story to be told here, it would be told. 3) The unwillingness of the mainstream media to challenge this administration on any substantive matter. Without a free, unbiased press, even explosive findings will become duds. We live in a capitalist country where, for better or worse, business decisions - media is a business, don't forget - are predicated upon the bottom line. I think most Americans, myself included, would be interested in explosive news, and I have no reason to believe that any media outlet coming across such would hold off on publishing it for fear of retaliation - even beyond the profit motive, because of the protection afforded by the possession and widespread dissemination of that earth-shattering information. 4) The seeming lack of an opposition party allows the GOP to do as they please. The GOP has, over the past couple of decades, learned its intimidation/marginalization/media spin lessons well, while the Dems have practically lain down for them. Demolicans, Republicrats...same animal, essentially imbibing from the same ideological watering hole. I can't argue with that. I believe our best hope for a full, impartial investigation lies with a grassroots internet movement, which will eventually, hopefully, be taken mainstream by a fearless individual of great integrity and, as of now, unknown identity. I'm far too busy these days, sorry. ;-) Seriously, though: perhaps you're right, but given the specious and completely unsubstantiated nature of the editorials-posing-as-news featured on conspiratorial "alternative media" websites I've seen to this point, I doubt that any will - or should - be taken seriously. Perhaps that will change. LPS5