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On Saturday, September 15, 2001, 10:54:54 PM, Craig Parsons wrote:
CP> Its not effective to eliminate small disperse groups of people
CP> with mass bombings .... gulf war style, that's way to
CP> indiscriminate. Covert operations (CIA, KGB, MI5 etc) are needed
CP> to eliminate, *the problem*. Trouble is; that takes time, is
CP> secretive and therefore gives the appearance that the government
CP> is doing nothing, is politically impotent and makes really bad TV.
Agreed. Perhaps we could select some obscure part of Afghanistan with
few or even no people, bring over the CNN crews, send in massive air
strikes, and put on a really good show of 'kicking butt'.
In the meantime, untie the hands of the CIA, etc and let them get on
with the real work that needs doing. There has already been some talk
of reviewing the restrictions on these agencies - no public protest so
far, so it may happen. Takes time, though. To keep an impatient US
public happy, we might need to have a few CNN-worthy shows until this
gets running. If done well, these shows might also mislead Bin Laden
as to our real actions.
Bin Laden operates in the shadows, we operate in the shadows. He has
cells, we have small groups. He does unexpected things, we do
unexpected things. He stirs up emotions, we pinpoint our
disinformation and propaganda. He blends in, we blend in (this is our
hardest problem). If we start fighting *effectively*, at his level, we
would get him, and others. Israel has been pinpointing attacks against
individuals, for which they have been criticized. We could learn from
them.
The real fight is a tough, nasty business - bribes, assassinations,
torture, many human rights violations, etc. To be accepted, our agents
will need to look like the scum of the earth, might have to kill some
people, maybe even some US citizens. Do we have the stomach, and
patience, for it?
I suspect not, and we might need to classify such things at very high
levels so the public does not hear about them. As you say, this part
does not make good TV. We could then continue to present the 'kick
butt' image the public likes.
Would this take care of the problems you bring up?
ztrader
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