DEM talking point to use: Historically, Repubs are WEAKER on terrorism.

[arbusto_baboso]

Terrorism SHOULD have been a concern of American adminsitrations since the incident at the 1972 Munich Olympic games, but pretty much every Republican president has ignored the implications of terror for America.

Consider. Nixon did NOTHING as he was preoccupied with other things, Vietnam among them. (ignoring terror in favor of an unnecessary, wasteful war of choice? Hmm, sounds familiar.) Ford had the Mayaguez Incident to deal with, botched the job, and still learned no lessons from it.

Carter had to deal with Americans taken hostage in Iran. He mounted a rescue op. True, it failed, more due to interservice rivalries than anything else. But it did cause the formation of Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta, America's primary anti-terror military force.

Ronald "we won't negotiate with terrorists" Reagan's actions BEFORE EVER REACHING THE WHITE HOUSE, were to negotitate with terrorists. True, it brought Americans home, but gave other terror-wannabees incentive to try the same things. When the Marine barracks in Beirut were hit, how did Reagan respond? He cut and run. Oh yeah, and invaded Grenada.

Bush I at least formed a Joint Special Operations Command to deal with terror type situations, but the civilian side of law enforcement in this area was neglected. Two more large conventional actions (of which this poster was part) distracted Americans from the real and growing threat of terror.

In the opening days of the Clinton presidency, the WTC was hit. All the men repsonsible were caught shortly thereafter. Simultaneous attacks in America on the eve of the millenium were foiled by Clinton's team, and the Hart/Rudman study recommended sweeping changes in American law enforcement in order to prepare for the inevitable: large acts of terrorism on American soil.

Then Bush and the WTC again. Can ANYONE in that adminsitration HONESTLY say that "no one thought this was possible"?!?!?!?! It's been patently obvious to anyone with half a fucking brain since 1972 that eventually it WOULD happen here!

And the Republicans did little or nothing to prevent it.

Spread this message far and wide.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. It won't work

The bias has already been ingrained into mainstream thought. Far too late.

What it's NOT too late for is to keep on the point that Bush and Company aren't true conservatives. They keep pushing for larger and more invasive government. That will resonate. That will sway people.

[Lisa]

2. Did Delta Force get its name before or after the attempted hostage rescue?

I'm uncertain whether Carter gave the okay to form the unit before or during the Iranian hostage crisis -- other info I've found just says "late 1970s".

[arbusto_baboso]

3. Read "Delta Force" by Colonel Charles Beckwith...

the founder of Delta.

It had its name unofficially from its founding, which Carter authorized. I don't think it was officially named until later, though.

Colonel "Chargin' Charlie" Beckwith was an interesting character. He took part in the Son Tay raid in which a Viet Nam pow camp was hit in order to rescue American service people. His team missed the Americans by mere hours! Beckwith had been cross-posted to a British Special Air Service (SAS) team and wanted to model an American force after them. He got his chance with Delta.

I was seconded to a British SAS team during Desert Storm. The SAS have GOT to be some of the most dangerous mofos on the face of this planet!

[Lisa]

4. the book sounds interesting ...

I'd heard that Beckwith was inspired by the SAS model (one of my British co-workers had a brother in the unit). Just offhand though, do you recall approximately when Carter authorized the founding of Delta Force?

[arbusto_baboso]

5. Don't quote me on this.....

but I think it was in the run-up to Desert Eagle. Probably just a few weeks before the rescue attempt.

I'll consult some of my sources at home this evening and get back to you tomorrow.