January 22, 2002Dan Elliott’s Express

The Differs is between 911, 912, and 12222

As I See It
by Dan Elliott

America is settling in to a new realm of complacency. It is being directed to  new topics of temporary concern.
Heading the list is the temporary,  normal cyclical  decline in World prosperity.

 The signs of restored complacency  are subtle.
 

 One example are the many little plastic flags  which are being packed away, lost and not replaced. Some sadly are capriciously  tossed in the trash until such time  comes that they  will be needed once again to signify solidarity with the mystical cause, and confirm an alliance with neighbors that share the same patriotic frenzy.
Flags that flap together stick together.
 

We now discover  that America is entering into a new kind of warfare on the domestic front.

This one, will be fought with  words and juris prudence.

Same old players, armed with new axes to grind!
 

The social liberal establishment that trusts no one, and the somewhat stolid military and intelligence establishment that just does not give a damn!

 Nor should they, considering certain new accusations from folks that like to shoot from the hip.

Is it not a good and healthy condition we might ask, to practice all of that which makes America great?
To encourage discourse on the issues.
 

Probably, but the really curious thing is that near to 100 percent of Americans would not have been concerned in the least  about the treatment of the savage, radical Al Qa' ida captives if they could have been delivered to Gitmo on say Sept. 12, 2001.
 

How quickly the national fervor begins to wane!
 

Isn’t it a fact,  that we are still faced with a long and serious battle to preserve our safety, and to enjoy the type of flexible freedom that has always been one of our greatest assets?

With the greatest number of really shadowy terrorist organizations in tact, and with the knowledge that foreign Islamic peoples representing some 22 nations, are taught to hate with biblical traditions the Jew and now  Americans, The Son Of Bush, Free Masons etc. The list can be lengthy according to who is writing but this generally is what one finds today it current publication by Islamic organizations.

This being the case, shouldn’t we remain as firm in our patriotic  convictions as we were hours after the event of 911? Isn’t the likelihood of further attack real and eminent?

In my opinion, and based on the facts,  and without equivocation ….yes.

Some of the most noted and dangerous terror groups, are the ones that we know very little about.

They are perhaps the best terror organizations, they, remain in the deepest shadows. They are successful in their missions and do not suffer from the public flamboyance of an  Osama bin Ladin.
 

It is important to point out I believe,  that Al qa' ida was an entity.  It was a training base for many other terrorist groups.

As we know, bin ladin has been very active since the mid 1980's.

He stated in an interview broadcast in February 1997 that "if someone can kill an American soldier, it is better than wasting time on other matters."

In February 1998, Bin Laden announced the creation of a new alliance of terrorist organizations, the "World Islamic Front for Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders." The Front included the Egyptian al-Gama'at al-Islamiyya, the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, the Harakat ul-Ansar, and two other groups. The Front declared its intention to attack Americans and our allies, including civilians, anywhere in the world. By at least February 1998, the Egyptian Islamic Jihad had effectively merged with al Qaeda and joined with al Qa'ida in targeting American civilians.

In May 1998, he stated at a press conference in Afghanistan that we would see the results of his threats "in a few weeks."

On 20 August 1998, President Clinton amended Executive Order 12947 to add Usama Bin Laden and his key associates to the list of terrorists, thus blocking their US assets--including property and bank accounts--and prohibiting all US financial transactions with them. Bin Laden remained in Afghanistan under the protection of the Taliban, an ultra-conservative Islamic militia that controls most of that country. The United States conducted a bombing run -- Operation Infinite Reach -- against bin Laden's facilities there on 20 August 1998.

His "The Base" served as both recruitment and training facility for a world army of several thousand!

Where are they today?

All Were Zealously  Committed To The Killing Of Americans, Our Military, Our Money and Jews and Christians.

So while the talk in Washington turns to the typical political football of the cyclical economy, our military and intelligence will be hard at work providing the necessary  field work  so that the elected officers in Washington can carry on in a time honored traditional manner.
 

New conflicts with increased casualties will of course re-cantor the national interest and focus.
 

If the casualties be greater;  God forbid,   the question will arise as to whether we have already done enough.

As far as the captives in Guantanamo are concerned, it is my conviction that "Rummy" is right.

The treatment is appropriate. They are fed and watered, they can pray and defecate. That is much more than they have allowed others to do!

They are not prisoners of war and therefore not covered by the Geneva convention because they  are not military combatants.

They were not in uniform, they were not carrying conventional weapons in plain view.
We were not at war with Afghanistan.
 
They are known killer criminal lunatics by our  standards, and ...
by My God In Heaven they had better be treated as though they are extremely dangerous!
 

I would have thought it better to have done the conditioning for information far away from the public eye.

The South Pole perhaps.

This would have also reduced the desire for escape.

Some have posed a very legitimate  question?

 What do you do with them after the rigorous questioning?

Well, you will observe that the exact numbers have never been released. Probably a good thing since public concern for their treatment has been running near neck and neck with the job issue and the economy!

Any reduction in a nose count might be a cause for public alarm.

I wonder if it is the intent of the # 1 oxymoron The American Civil Liberties Union to deploy some of their attorneys  to interview and provide representation for captives if deemed appropriate?

"What’s that! You say, you want to change your name from Bernstein to Wainwright; Oh,  just for a few hours,... OK  that’s certainly understandable.”
 

There is no question in my  mind that  the birthright has made a lasting condition.
 

Now with that bit off my chest, I could hardly wait  to do so. With moderately  weak apologies to my Jewish companions I shall continue.
 

Finally, and personally,  I would like to see a little more variety in our daily news life..

This war stuff is boring, so is the economy, and… Enron.  Now then,  Enron could have been interesting but all the good stuff got chopped up,  just like the good old  Gemstone file  back in “Tricky Dicky’s” day.

Ah well, it makes a commentator sad.

What is Bill Clinton doing lately?

Has he been in "touch" with Monica?

Or, rather that should be, has she been "in touch" with him?

It's what in touch is...as touch, in… is!

Cheers, Dan Elliott