Posted on 05/22/2002 4:45:40 PM PDT by libber-tarian
Last week, the news media and some members of Congress worked themselves into a frenzy over the revelation that an intelligence briefing made to President Bush last August mentioned the possibility of airplane hijackings. Although no information in the briefing indicated that the hijackings would be used in the kamikaze-style attacks of September 11th, the news caused an uproar because, critics claimed, it should have been released earlier.
The media worked overtime, jumping to conclusions and making false accusations that suggested a cover-up. The New York Post screamed in large type on the front page: "9/11 BOMBSHELL: BUSH KNEW". Political opportunists quickly seized on this, asking questions using the accusatory "what-did-he-know-and-when-did-he-know-it" language of scandal that entered the political lexicon during Watergate. Congressman Dick Gephardt, the top-ranking Democrat in the House and possible presidential candidate against President Bush in 2004, did not stray too far from the boilerplate phrasing: "I think what we have to do now is to find out what the president, what the White House knew about the events leading up to 9/11, when they knew it." Democrat Hillary Clinton, another possible presidential candidate, took to floor of the Senate and "demand[ed] answers immediately". President Bush, meanwhile, showing his penchant for understatement, noted, "I sniff some politics in the air."
Although it seems obvious that there were failures in intelligence and our interpretation of it, we must also realize that, even with a perfectly functioning intelligence apparatus, we're still vulnerable to attack. Because it is simply not possible to detect every plot against us, we can't assume that each successful attack points to failure on our part. That said, I agree absolutely that we must try to understand how we mishandled intelligence prior to September 11th, but let's do it in a calm, rational way, far away from professional politicians. Our goal should be fixing the problem, not affixing the blame. Forgive my skepticism, but judging from the hotheaded handwringing that has taken place already, holding hearings in some Congressional kangaroo court will do little more than provide a podium for people whose primary concern is their next election.
Let 'em criticise. If he's doing his job properly, liberals should be beside themselves with rage.
Sadly, it's conservatives, who are more upset with him at the moment.
Dem senators lambaste vague terrorism warning [Oct. 31, 2001] ^
We can't let liberal criticisms go unanswered. There are too many people out there who form their opinions based on what they hear from the media and their friends. Every unanswered attack is interpreted by some as an admission of guilt. Our ideology needs strong, persistent voices to drown out the chorus of stupidity that all too often flows unfettered from the mouths of the opposition.
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