Invoking Osama's Name for Cash

I see that Bush has decided to declassify a U.S. intelligence report that states Osama bin Laden had directed al-Qaida to form new terrorist cells, directing them to attack targets outside Iraq including the United States.

 

According to this AP article, the reason for the release is:

Bush, who is battling Democrats in Congress over spending for the unpopular war in Iraq, will highlight U.S. successes in foiling terrorist plots and use the intelligence to argue that terrorists remain a threat to Americans, said Frances Fragos Townsend, the White House homeland security adviser.

I might remind you that Osama bin Laden has remained at large and on the FBI's Most Wanted list for years and years. I will also remind you the bin Laden is the same person who Bush made the following remarks about, "I don't know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority."* Well, it seems to be Bush's priority when Congress threatens to dry up the funds for the never-ending war on terrorism. There really is no good reason why we have not revoked bin Laden's birth certificate. We're pretty sure he's hiding in Pakistan. We've got a multitude of troops right next door in Afghanistan. A little pressure on the Pakistani government would allow us in to surround and capture bin Laden and his posse. I assure you, if we caught off the head of this beast known as al-Qaida, the body will die.

 

If the Bush administration were actually serious about capturing bin Laden, they'd quit playing their life-size game of Risk in the Persian Gulf, right off the coast of Iran and go get him. The Congress has already given their official stamp of approval. This Administration owes it to the American people to bring this criminal to justice.

*G.W. Bush, 3/13/02