We Need To Bombard The Media About The 3 Chances Bush Had For Zarqawi

[DrFunkenstein]

Every time Bush mentions Zarqawi, the media should follow it up by announcing that the administration nixed 3 actionable opportunities to eliminate this threat - much like his failure at Tora Bora, except more out of political cynicism than sheer incompetence.

It wasn't risk aversion or political cowardice (the Special Forces were not exactly thrilled that Afghan Warlords were doing their job) like Tora Bora, it was to bolster the case for an invasion by having an actual terrorist - albeit with no connections to Saddam Hussein - in the country.

It is crucial that we get this story into the media, especially if Zarqawi's capture has the potential to be Bush's October Surprise.

Right now, Bush is allowed to invoke Zarqawi as this season's Bogeyman-in-Chief. This cannot stand.

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From MSNBC (chosen randomly):

With Tuesday?s attacks, Abu Musab Zarqawi, a Jordanian militant with ties to al-Qaida, is now blamed for more than 700 terrorist killings in Iraq. But NBC News has learned that long before the war the Bush administration had several chances to wipe out his terrorist operation and perhaps kill Zarqawi himself ? but never pulled the trigger.

In June 2002, U.S. officials say intelligence had revealed that Zarqawi and members of al-Qaida had set up a weapons lab at Kirma, in northern Iraq, producing deadly ricin and cyanide. The Pentagon quickly drafted plans to attack the camp with cruise missiles and airstrikes and sent it to the White House, where, according to U.S. government sources, the plan was debated to death in the National Security Council.

Four months later, intelligence showed Zarqawi was planning to use ricin in terrorist attacks in Europe. The Pentagon drew up a second strike plan, and the White House again killed it.  By then the administration had set its course for war with Iraq.

In January 2003, the threat turned real. Police in London arrested six terror suspects and discovered a ricin lab connected to the camp in Iraq. The Pentagon drew up still another attack plan, and for the third time, the National Security Council killed it.

Military officials insist their case for attacking Zarqawi?s operation was airtight, but the administration feared destroying the terrorist camp in Iraq could undercut its case for war against Saddam. And despite the Bush administration?s tough talk about hitting the terrorists before they strike, Zarqawi?s killing streak continues today.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4431601

Get the word out!!!!

[auntAgonist]

1. It is amazing to me

that people are ignoring this! I have a small forum, 23 members and I have been posting on this now for a couple of months. Save for one or two people NO one else seems to think it's a big thing. ( I assume because they don't respond!).

"Because Bush Took His Eye Off the Real Threat of Terrorism, Bin Laden Has Gained a New Ally. "Iraq's most wanted militant has pledged his loyalty to Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda, according to a message posted Sunday on Islamist Web sites." In a statement posted on Islamist Web sites, the Unification and Jihad group headed by al-Zarqawi promised bin Laden it would "listen to your orders."

Here's another link ..

http://www.world-crisis.com/analysis_comments/922_0_15_0_C

[DrFunkenstein]

2. This Really Seems Scandalous To Me

Followed only slightly by the silence of the media.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

3. Bush misundertsands the war in Iraq

clearly. He should critcise himself before Kerry.