Can’t seem to get motivated to write in great detail about John Kerry’s “hey, look, I just issued a report about George W. deliberately letting Osama go in Tora Bora, you know, the same argument I have been making for several years and which failed to get me elected President; but this time I’ve got the goods on him, based on public information readily available for years which has been the basis for public reexamination of the military tactic of a “light footprint;” I just had to release this report on the eve of Obama announcing his intention to put more troops into Afghanistan subject to conditions, even though I’ve had this important information for years.”
Go to Mudville Gazette for a good take-down of John “20/20 Hindsight” Kerry’s political posturing.
But a more important point on Kerry. The BDS Victims who are cheering the report will soon realize that Kerry is, once again, playing both sides.
The report was issued not just to reopen old wounds, but also to justify putting more troops into Afghanistan, as Obama will announce Tuesday. So while the Left cheers, they should understand that the report is not intended to support their agenda.
In other words, Kerry issued a report in favor of the left-wing agenda before he used the report against the left-wing agenda.
Happy now?
Update: BlackFive also has a good explanation as to why the John Kerry’s of the world don’t know what they are talking about. Contrary to the ridiculous talk by some that Bush and the military commanders “apparently didn’t believe that capturing or killing the man responsible for murdering 3000+ Americans was very interesting or worthwhile,” there were many other factors militating against dropping 800 Army Rangers into the mountains with little infrastructure (at the time) for resupply. But then again, everyone is a genius in hindsight.
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Related Posts:
Kerry Against Afghan Surge But May Be For It
Pass John Kerry’s Cap-and-Tax Bill or Your Puppy Will Die
The Manufactured “Climate Change As Security Threat” Meme
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Comments
The fact that decisions were made at very high levels to halt the ongoing military campaign in the Tora Bora region which in hindsight cost us the killing or apprehension of Osama bin Laden is, as you point out, very well known. I recall that at the time of this battle, the media was filled with stories that Osama was possibly hiding there. Today we’re led to believe that “intelligence” confirms his presence at the time.
And, this was a colossal mistake both politically and militarily.
What is not well known is whether the decision to halt the ongoing battle was carelessly made by President Bush, or, whether the decision was made at a theater command level based on whatever limited objectives the campaign was achieving from the commander’s point of view.
A lot of people assume Bush knowingly walked away from the imminent capture of the enemy mastermind. Why? The narratives include that perhaps Bush the Dumber was in control and not challenged by the military chain of command; and, maybe it was Cheney the Diabolical pulling the strings. On the other hand, this could have been one of those poor decisions made by military commanders sometimes. Lots of bad decisions are made in wartime.
But, Bush was Commander in Chief at the time. And, at that time, Bush and Rumsfeld relied upon bureaucratic generals to run the wars in Afghanistan and then Iraq not war fighting generals. That’s why Iraq, for instance, muddled along in a losing “stay the course” routine for years. President Bush owns this one even if we have to hear Senator Kerry tell us once again about it.
What if Bin is dead and Kerry knows it? Consider what a slime he would be. I suspect old Bin was killed early on and is being kept alive in the press to prevent his becoming a martyr.
Nobody seems to be mentioning two other key events in 1998 under Clinton. One was when Saudi Arabia offered him to the US while he was in Saudi Arabia. Clinton declined. The second was when we had collaboration with trained locals in AF, and positioned OBL for a cruise missile attack. At the last second, Clinton refused and the opportunity was lost. The collaborators were also lost to us.