CNN says Clinton missed Osama 3 times, but do you know what Bush

[Minstrel Boy]

did?

CNN's story today - which doesn't contain new information - says Clinton debated three times to launch airstrikes to kill bin Laden, but decided against them because he was told the intelligence was possibly dubious (http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/03/23/911.commission/index.html).

Now, do you know what one of the first measures Bush took regarding bin Laden when he took office? You wouldn't know it if you went by the CNN story, because they don't mention this part.

In January of 2001, Bush ended the deployment of the attack subs which Clinton had had stationed for more than two years within missile range of al Qaeda's Afghanistan bases. This was perhaps the first measure he took regarding the terrorist threat. And this was just after receiving confirmation that al Qaeda was responsible for the Cole bombing.

From the 9/11 timeline:

Late 1998-January 2001: The US permanently stations two submarines in the Indian Ocean, ready to hit al-Qaeda with cruise missiles on short notice. Six to ten hours advance warning is now needed to review the decision, program the cruise missiles and have them reach their target. On at least three occasions, spies in Afghanistan report bin Laden's location with information suggesting he would remain there for some time. Each time, Clinton approves the strike. Each time, CIA Director Tenet says the information is not reliable enough and the attack cannot go forward. (Washington Post, 12/19/01, New York Times, 12/30/01) The submarines are removed shortly after President Bush takes office.

Late January 2001 (B): Even as US intelligence is given conclusive evidence that al-Qaeda is behind the USS Cole bombing (see January 25, 2001), the new Bush administration discontinues the covert deployment of cruise missile submarines and gunships on six-hour alert near Afghanistan's borders that had begun under President Clinton (see Late 1998-January 2001). The standby force gave Clinton the option of an immediate strike against targets in al-Qaeda's top leadership. The discontinuation makes a possible assassination of bin Laden much more difficult. (Washington Post, 1/20/02)

http://www.complete911timeline.org

[MsUnderstood]

1. In another thread

It mentioned that Bush gave 43 billion to the taliban because they said they were "Anti-Drug".

I think CNN needs to focus on the current president and his actions leading up to 9/11 not the guy before him.

Stop living in the past and look at the present and the (faux) president!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. 43 million for anti drug efforts

part of dealings to get cozy with the Taliban and secure a future gas pipeline deal.

[Maurkov]

6. Myth

It surprised me to discover this was a myth. Contrary to Robert Scheer's editorial, the $43 million didn't go to the Taliban but to the UN and various NGO's in the region. The administration has perpetrated enough blunders that we ought not waste our time with false ones.

[RC]

7. Source?

[kiahzero]

9. From SpinSanity.org

As we have noted many times, President Bush granted $43 million in food aid and food security programs to relieve an impending famine in Afghanistan in May 2001, continuing an aid program initiated by President Clinton. The programs were administered directly by the United Nations and NGOs, bypassing the regime.

http://www.spinsanity.org/post.html?2003_02_23_archive.html

[Old and In the Way]

10. Technically correct, but-

That freed $43 million the Taliban had available to spend on "other things". Who really knows if some of that money wasn't funneled back to AQ for the 9/11 terror attack?

[Jacobin]

2. So....How many times did Smirk miss Osama before 9/11?

Inquiring minds want to know.


Oh, I forgot. He didn't even try.

[guitar man]

13. And after 9/11

"The most important thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden. It is our number one priority and we will not rest until we find him."
- G.W. Bush, 9/13/01

"I want justice...There's an old poster out West, as I recall, that said, 'Wanted: Dead or Alive,'"
- G.W. Bush, 9/17/01, UPI

<fast forward 6 months>

"I don't know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority."
- G.W. Bush, 3/13/02

"I am truly not that concerned about him."
- G.W. Bush, repsonding to a question about bin Laden's whereabouts,
3/13/02 (The New American, 4/8/02)


From "Wanted Dead or Alive" to "It's not our priority" in a mere 6 months. This needs to be posted on billboards all over the country.

Mr.*Bush,just what are your priorities?

[ThomWV]

3. Bush Missed Roughly 235 Opportunitys

Bush had been in office roughly 235 days from swearing in until the first plane hit the towers. Every single one of those days offered an opportunity to take action as a result of the attack on the Cole. Every one of those opportunitys was passed over.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. And how many times has Bush missed him since he declared war on

Afghanistan? Let's compare apples to apples here.

[Killarney]

8. Wolf is making me barf.

It's basically all Clinton's fault if you're watching CNN right now.

[VolcanoJen]

11. Wolfie: Wag the dog, wag the dog, wag the dog, wag the dog.

This is truly unbelievable.

Anyone who just watched the pasty, sickened, just-ready-to-pass-out Wolfowitz at the hearing knows where the questions should be headed.

But Wolfie Blitzer just wants to talk about how Clinton was "preoccupied" with "other matters."

:puke:

[maddezmom]

12. thanks for the post

put things pre-9/11 in perspective for me.