After 9/11- If YOU Were the President

panzade
The question is what steps would you have taken after 9/11. I noted that I would have put all my efforts into capturing or killing the head of the snake, Bin Laden and not dilute my forces by invading Iraq. The two at this point are inseparable.

Well sorting out all the stuff here, I think I like Dys's plan best.

yeah, that's the problem with satire.

AU, I didn't ride in here on the short bus. I was refering to the question Foxy asked soz...I thought that was the focus at this point.

Me, I would most likely screw the whole nation to hell, destroy the economy and foreign relations in one day, and get killed by an angry mob outside of the White House lawn, after being dragged out their by the first lady.

But than again, I'm not running for President am I?

I'm back!

panzade, admirable corner man job.

Anyway, yeah, what Wilso said basically -- Bush's terms to the rest of the world were, well, his terms. We're gonna do this, we don't care what you think, you wanna join or not? With us or against us. Etc.

When our allies wanted to give the inspections more time to work, he said no, sorry, we're goin' in. With us or against us? When our allies wanted proof, he trotted out Powell to lay out the not-very-convincing case, and they were surprise not very convinced (and it turns out for good reason), We said, too bad, we don't need you, we're gonna rename French fries "Freedom fries", we're gonna go in anyway. Last chance, with us or against us?

Then there's all the stuff that nimh or Craven or someone more up on the subtleties and with a better memory can go into about Turkey, Kurds, Sunnis, blah blah.

Stunning lack of diplomacy all over the place, and I'm not the only one who thinks so, as these recent books (Clark's, Woodward's) are bringing to light.

I think pretty much what the President and his staff did, really:

- Go after Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
- Create the Department of Homeland Security.
- Close our borders until border security was increased tenfold.
- Enact the USA PATRIOT Act to take the handcuffs off our intelligence community.
- Increase airline security, including arming pilots.
- Rally our allies to support a worldwide war on terror.

Here are the administration's failures as I see them:

Border security - Our borders are still porous. Because illegal immigration is a political issue, this hasn't been a high priority until just recently. They sent a whole bunch of I.C.E. agents to Arizona, and they're doing a lot, but I think they're leaving in December. I want to see us get serious about this. If a hundred people are running across the border, I want to see border agents fire a few rounds into the ground in front of them. People would soon get the idea that "No Entre" means what it says.

Airline security - The Transportation Security Administration has been dragging its feet in arming airline pilots as required by Congress. Right now, a pilot has to take a week off from work and travel to New Mexico to take the training. Also, the TSA wasn't allowing pilots of cargo planes to be armed. I think that has changed but I'm not sure.

Seaport security - From what I've heard, this needs a lot of work. I don't know much about it but I've heard some horror stories.

The war on terror - The beginning of it should have been publicized differently. If I were the President, and all the efforts of all my allies had failed to convince the UN to go after terrorists, I would have set up a world summit. It would have included the Presidents and Prime Ministers and heads of state of all the Coalition partners. Together, we would have laid out the reasons why we were opposing terrorists and the countries that harbored them. There would never have been any question that this was a cooperative effort. No one would be able to say the I had gone to war on my own. Iraq probably would still be a target but all the news releases would come from a multinational "Coalition Authority" instead of from the US Central Command.

Good points Tarantula and I don't disagree with any except the global summit one. Will save that discussion for another thread though as it gets really complicated.

The problem with border security with Mexico is almost overwhelming, however. I live in a border state as you do and midnight immigration happens in different places seven days a week. I forget what the total length from the Gulf to the Pacific is--1950 miles sticks in my mind. It would take our entire military strength to guard it all.

The logical solution is so politically incorrect no politician will probably have the guts to do it. So if I could be named temporary benevolent dictator instead of president after 9/11, here is what I would do:

1. Any noncitizen who cannot produce a valid visa or green card on demand is photographed, finger printed, and deported immediately.

2. Persons issued valid visas and green cards are finger printed and photographed with this information entered into a national data base available to all law enforcement so that phony documents can be spotted.

3. Any U.S. employer who knowingly hires a noncitizen without proper documentation is subject to heavy fine, bigger fines and/or imprisonment for multiple offenses.

4. Non citizens without residency status will not be eligible for public education, welfare, social security, free medical care, or any other free services. Charities could continue to take care of people in need but would be required to check I.D.'s and report to authorities if a person could not produce I.D.

4. The constitution will be amended so that new citizens will be children of a U.S. citizen or will have to go through the full legal process of obtaining U.S. citizenship. No longer can U.S. citizenship be obtained solely by being born inside our borders.

If these measures were in place, the United States as the land of ready jobs and free stuff would dry up and would no longer be so attractive to the midnight immigrants. And it would be a lot harder for a terrorist to move around unnoticed in our midst.

For starters, I would've focused the enormous resources of the USA on stamping out alQaida and Osama bin Laden, and not gotten sidetracked in a useless guerilla war in Iraq to settle an old family score.

Bush has really blown it here.

Then, I would've militarized the borders, especially at Mexico. 50% of those crossing over from Mexico to the USA aren't even Mexican nationals.

Bush, always mindful of the hispanic vote here, sacrificed American safety by failing completely in this regard.

Then, I'd have fired George Tenet and Condi Rice.

Are there two worse losers on his team?

What? Not one of you has questioned why Bush immediately hustled bin Laden's family out of the country. I would have taken them into protective custody and sought information before making such a decision. Aside from that, BBB pretty much said what I would like to have said.

I could go into interminable detail what with the benefit of hindsight.

But let me say where I think the change would have started.

I would have separated domestic rhetoric from international rhetoric.

e.g. "you are either with us or against us" was domestic rhetoric.

I would not have conflated the project for the new American century with the response to 9/11.

That's the initial difference I'd have done in the immediate aftermath and then the summary of what I'd have done differently (not seized the opportunity for PNAC goals).

PNAC is a very well worded very extreme vision. It resonates very loudly for the more militaristic among us but is, IMO, extreme enough of a vision that one needs to worry about the militaristic sorts attracted to it and the individual visions they see in it.

So to summarize, different rhetoric and no appropriation of 9/11 for PNAC.

There are some excellent points here. But, in this thread, we are assuming that YOU are the president. For the sake of this discussion, I would rather not compare what you would have done with what anybody else has done.

YOU have carte blanche. You can lead the nation in any way that you deem most appropriate.

edgar-

The bin Ladens are expected to dine with the Bush family at the Kennebunkport compound at Christmas.

Friends protecting friends.

I would have blamed Canada....


Oh wait, already been done. nuff said.

Okay Phoenix, you asked for it! :wink:
I'm the President, oh goody. This is going to be fun!

Phase 1- Give a national address, not unlike Bush's. Perhaps with an even stronger warning though: "It is now vividly clear that it is an unsafe practice to allow outlaw regimes and terrorists to run amuck. The only way to end this type of terrorism; is to eradicate the funding sources, the safe havens and of course the terrorists themselves (ten minute explaining that we are not cowards, weaklings and in fact are the most powerful country on earth and we're not going to take this kind of abuse… Get the citizens really fired up!)

"I also have a message for the terrorists of the world; the enormously powerful giant that is the United States of America is now awake… and we're coming to get you… (Pause for effect while looking straight into the camera )

"I also have a message for the other leaders of the world. Those of you who have offered your condolences and support, the people of The United States thank you. (spend about 5 minutes kissing the globe's collective ass). I ask you now to stand with us for the mutual benefit of all of mankind. The world has become too dangerous to stand by while murderers roam free, and murderous despots kill their citizens by the millions. Together we have the strength to end the generations of suffering. Together we have the resources to feed the hungry. Together, we have the power to bring peace to this planet once and for all! (pause for effect)… The United States of America is done playing nice, with criminals who do not. As of today; the United States is declaring war on every nation that sponsors terrorism. If you think your country can help us; again, the people of the United States thank you. However: If you even think your country might be on this list, contact my office immediately and we'll see if we can work something out. Listen closely now… There will be no further warnings whatsoever.
Thank you."

Next; I immediately fly to Russia and do what ever it takes to transform Putin into Tony Blair… I don't care if our countries have to merge to accomplish it, it must be done. Attempt the same with the other world leaders to a lesser degree. If we get Russia, we don't really need anyone else once we go to phase 2.

Phase 2- Meanwhile, have intelligence agencies do their jobs as they did, only when we discover there is a high probability that Bin Laden is in the Tora Bora Mountains; we retract our troops and send in the BIG GUN: the entire world goes haywire while they watch in horror as 2 nuclear tipped ICBMs (one US, one Russian), armed with 50 Mega Ton nuclear warheads (3,000 times more powerful than what we dropped on Hiroshima) turn a section of the Tora Bora Mountains into the Tora Bora Valley. Make sure we get plenty of camera angles, too.


Another speech. Apologize if our actions seem barbaric, but we wanted to let the despots and terrorists alike know we were serious. It was the hardest decision-bla bla bla.

Next I fly to Russia along with Tony and every other leader who was smart enough to sign on already. Together we form the "Planet Earth Council". Members are guaranteed absolute security, permanent sovereignty and basic sustenance for all its citizens. Free trade will be enjoyed by all member states, with member states and no others. A Human Bill of Rights will also be required for entry. Goals of council are clearly written and understood by all. Peace, by any means necessary. The final war to end all wars. Terms of membership will be written in stone and can only be altered by Unanimous Decision by all member states. Etc.

In unity, the other members of the council and I stand in Red Square (needed that to get Putin to agree to the nuke strike), and announce our alliance to the world, it's objective and the final warning to the bad guys.
"Attention: Despots and terrorists. If we even think you are planning a retaliatory strike, we will end all life in your country within 30 minutes. You know we can and you had better know we would, if we deem necessary. Listen to us carefully. We hereby demand a complete list of all undeclared WMD, locations and a plan to turn them over to us within 30 days. Of course this doesn't apply to countries that have already proven they can be trusted with such weapons. You know who you are and like I told you before, we have already declared war and you will receive no further warnings. Each and every country that voluntarily disposes of their weapons will be immediately recognized and from that day forward will be guaranteed absolute security and sovereignty, backed by the full military might of the United States, Russia etc. All countries that join in our fight to rid the world of evil oppressors will earn preferred trade status as well as security. If any nation is foolish enough to oppose us militarily, to any degree, it will be crushed. If your leader is contemplating such an action; you must immediately seize control or your country. Make no mistake; your very lives depend on it. If you are a soldier ordered to attack member states; shoot the messenger. The lives of your family depend on it. We'll be waiting for your call at 1-800- ALRIGHT or you can reach us on line at www.IWouldRatherBeGuaranteedDinnerThanDeath.com. Call within the next 48 hours and get a Billion Dollar Loan to help get you on your feet! Call now!" Oh, I almost forgot... Pass out translated Readers Digest versions of Atlas Shrugged so all those that don't already know what to do with capitalism will. :wink:

It will last for a thousand years, Bill.

Bill- I love it!

Now, if we could get Putin to LOOK like tony Blair......................

Where's Pakistan fit into your plan, Bill?

Thats sweet. Real good.

But on the subject of immigration, I see no problem with it, but than again I'm biased. I belive we should welcome the Mexican migrants with open arms, as they take the jobs in the fields and other hard manual places that many Americans are not willing to take.

They'd likely qualify for the bonus Billion Soz, judging by their actions with no threat and a petty carrot. :wink: