Deja Vu all over again: Bush ignoring urgent warning about Qaeda 'comeback'

[133724]

Comparing the debate on the "surge" or escalation of US troops in Iraq to a "sideshow" like media coverage of pop star Britney Spears' shaving of her head, New York Times columnist Frank Rich worries that, just as in August of 2001, President Bush is ignoring urgent warnings by counterterrorism officials about Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda.

Referring to "last week's terrifying but little-heeded front-page New York Times account (link) of U.S. 'intelligence and counterterrorism officials' leaking urgent warnings about al Qaeda's comeback," Rich writes in his latest Sunday Times column, "ask yourself: Haven't we been here before?"

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Rich_Surge_debate_same_kind_of_0224.html

Terror Officials See Al Qaeda Chiefs Regaining Power


WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 — Senior leaders of Al Qaeda operating from Pakistan have re-established significant control over their once-battered worldwide terror network and over the past year have set up a band of training camps in the tribal regions near the Afghan border, according to American intelligence and counterterrorism officials.

American officials said there was mounting evidence that Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, had been steadily building an operations hub in the mountainous Pakistani tribal area of North Waziristan. Until recently, the Bush administration had described Mr. bin Laden and Mr. Zawahri as detached from their followers and cut off from operational control of Al Qaeda.


The United States has also identified several new Qaeda compounds in North Waziristan, including one that officials said might be training operatives for strikes against targets beyond Afghanistan.

American analysts said recent intelligence showed that the compounds functioned under a loose command structure and were operated by groups of Arab, Pakistani and Afghan militants allied with Al Qaeda. They receive guidance from their commanders and Mr. Zawahri, the analysts said. Mr. bin Laden, who has long played less of an operational role, appears to have little direct involvement.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/19/world/asia/19intel.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[liberal N proud]

1. He is too focused on drawing Iran into the Mid East conflict.

[Ignacio Upton]

2. Well, another attack may be just what he needs to get us fighting Iran

n/t.

[ClintonTyree]

3. Or declare martial law....

postpone or eliminate elections and install himself, officially now, as dictator for life, George Bush. Along with concentration camps for those of us who find his policies objectionable, of course. All the pieces are already in place for this due to a Patriot Act that no Congressman actually took the time to read.
Isn't life great in the land of the free and home of the brave? :banghead: