THE US, THE UN AND THE IRAQIS THEMSELVES, V. 7.0

Let's see, how long was it between the first attack on the WTC and Sept. 11th? Can we expect to wait that long before the next one to shout "triumph?" How many Americans have been killed by terrorist not within the actual borders of the U.S.? Let's get some perspective here.

Prior to 2001 the complex had sustained a major terrorist attack. On February 26, 1993, a large bomb planted by terrorists exploded in the underground garage of Two World Trade Center, damaging the base of the building (subsequently repaired), killing 6 people, and injuring some 1,000. The attack that occurred on September 11, 2001, was much more destructive. Hijackers deliberately flew two commercial airliners into the towers, the first striking the north tower at 8:46 AM (local time) and the second hitting the south tower at 9:03. Badly damaged and engulfed in flames, the weakened south tower collapsed at 9:59; the north tower fell about a half hour later. Debris from the towers also destroyed or damaged other buildings in and around the complex. Some 2,800 people were killed.

The cause was the preservation and integrity of the United States and the emancipation of people of colour. It was a war for freedom, dignity and the rule of law. A war that had to be fought.

Many Al Qaeda were fleeing for the temporary sanctuary of Iraq? Exactly how many is that? How about the other countries we suspect they escaped to?

The Civil War? An inevitable war and after it was over, how long did it take before Afro-Americans could be said to have achieved the good life along with equality? Has that even happened yet?

So many morons, so little time.

I wonder why C.I. doesn't make the connection that WMD is a valid point in the War against Terrorism, especially when they are in the hands of terrorists?

I'll point out too that despite the media spin, the causus beli re Iraq was not Iraq's possession of WMD, but Iraqs defiance of demands Iraq clearly and unambiguously document and prove divestiture of known proscribed assets and capabilities.....

And, at the time we invaded Iraq, Bush believed what (almost) everybody else did, including those who voted not to go to war with Iraq, that Saddam had WMD. I again will refer you to the William Raspberry column: "We Didn't Dare Wait". It is posted elsewhere here on A2K or you can google Raspberry and get it. It explains it quite clearly.

If we had the luxury of making all decisions based on hindsight, you would have a valid argument C.I. But, as we all do, the President has to make decisions based on the information available to him at the time the decision is made.

Terrorism and terrorist are emotive and variable terms, depending entirely on your viewpoint. For instance, consider that there are more arabs terrified of the USA than Americans terrified of the arabs.

Prior to 2001 the complex had sustained a major terrorist attack. On February 26, 1993, a large bomb planted by terrorists exploded in the underground garage of Two World Trade Center, damaging the base of the building (subsequently repaired), killing 6 people, and injuring some 1,000. The attack that occurred on September 11, 2001, was much more destructive. Hijackers deliberately flew two commercial airliners into the towers, the first striking the north tower at 8:46 AM (local time) and the second hitting the south tower at 9:03. Badly damaged and engulfed in flames, the weakened south tower collapsed at 9:59; the north tower fell about a half hour later. Debris from the towers also destroyed or damaged other buildings in and around the complex. Some 2,800 people were killed.

Since when was the US the executive arm of the United Nations? You can't have this argument both ways.

Prior to 2001 the complex had sustained a major terrorist attack. On February 26, 1993, a large bomb planted by terrorists exploded in the underground garage of Two World Trade Center, damaging the base of the building (subsequently repaired), killing 6 people, and injuring some 1,000. The attack that occurred on September 11, 2001, was much more destructive. Hijackers deliberately flew two commercial airliners into the towers, the first striking the north tower at 8:46 AM (local time) and the second hitting the south tower at 9:03. Badly damaged and engulfed in flames, the weakened south tower collapsed at 9:59; the north tower fell about a half hour later. Debris from the towers also destroyed or damaged other buildings in and around the complex. Some 2,800 people were killed.