[Eli]

We are more than 6 years into this wonderful "war on terror" whatever the hell that means.

It is easy to see that the US is losing if not lost this war against fear by the fact that the nameless enemy was still able to strike within ear shot of the Vice President.

It is remarkable that 6 years in, and the enemies of the US are still able to strike so close. The Vice Presidents trip was super secret yet the enemy was able to rattle the VP.

VP dogged by fear

Actually the whole point of the VPs trip was to try and get Pakistan to do something about AL qaeda who are operating freely in the border regions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Musariff is not likely going to sign his own death warrant by really doing something against Al-qaeda.

[DesertBear2]

Another good indicator is the frequency with which our leaders run around the world threatening nearly anybody and everybody. Nearly every day, one of Bushco's functionaries is issuing public "warnings" to some foreign leader or regime. Desperation is a good interpretation of this behavior.

Can you imagine being the leader of a ME nation and having Condi publicly issue warnings to you? People like Musharref must be nursing a hot and growing hatred toward the US. It is publicly humiliating, especially in the ME, to have the leader of your nation be sternly "warned" -particularly by a female functionary like Condoleeza Rice. It would be humiliating to the people of your nation as well.

Issuing repetitive "warnings" is a great way to lose credibility. If the Bushites had any basic common sense, they would make these type of communications through private diplomatic channels. Geez.

[jboogy]

Musharref's response to cheneys threat about the taliban/ al queda crackdown was basically ; we don't take dictation from anyone, saw it on CNN or democracy now. it's been confirmed by the CIA that the head of pakistans secret police (or whatever they call it)wired a ton of cash to a guy who in turn wired it to muhammed atta (9/11 mastermind)some time before the attacks . So it should be obvious to anyone by now that pakistan doesn't give a rats behind what we think about their foriegn policy decisions.Oh what a tangled web we weave.

[Chuckmak]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jboogy', 'i')t's been confirmed by the CIA that the head of pakistans secret police (or whatever they call it)wired a ton of cash to a guy who in turn wired it to muhammed atta (9/11 mastermind)some time before the attacks . So it should be obvious to anyone by now that pakistan doesn't give a rats behind what we think about their foriegn policy decisions.Oh what a tangled web we weave.

[jboogy]

C-mack, I don't remember all the places I've seen this referanced so I just did a quick search ( atta/ pakistani secret police connection) I clicked this one on the first page ( www.cassiopaea.org/cass/mahmoud-ahmed.htm), should get you started . I may have been incorrect when I said the CIA admits it , apparently it's a retired CIA agent who says this , but I believe it because this same thing with the same names has been said by a LOT of unconnected people with no apparent axe to grind

[lateralus]

The US is losing?.....Do tell.....

[drgoodword]

With regards to the attempt on Cheney's life...the stories I read seemed ton indicate that even though Cheney wasn't within dangerous proximity to the blast when it happened, the bomber missed Cheney's exit from the building by only a couple of minutes.

That's superb intelligence on the Taliban side...plus the fact that they were able to get a suicide bomber THAT close to a U.S. military base (right outside the exit).

As for losing...the U.S. has already lost their campaign to establish military control over the middle east. Their attrition rate in Iraq is unsustainable over the long term (include seriously wounded along with killed), and they're in the same position in Afghanistan that the Soviets were in the 80's, and the Brits were a hundred years ago. Afghanistan has worked very hard for it's reputation as the graveyard of empires.

And God only knows what a full-scale bombing campaign against Iran by either the U.S. or Israel will do.

[shakespear1]

My guess would be that once Mr. C left Pakistan, the Pakistani Intelligence ( rife with axes to grind with Mush and US) pushed the info to the Tali Boys who got their robot ready. Plenty of drinking, sex and promises and the robot went to work.

I find it fascinating what makes someone do this? Drugs, fear, hate ..... ? Anyone aware if this subject was studied by psychologists ?

[Eli]

Yup it is very interesting, the Taliban got way to close to the VP.
The kicker is this was an ultra secret visit.

I agree with the assessment that the ISI in Pakistan likely passed the info onto the Taliban. But on the other hand, the Taliban surely has every airbase under surveillance and the VP's security detail would be easy to spot.

They nearly blew up the VP of the United States how likely is it that Musharaff is going to want to take the same guys on?

Musharaff already has had two assassination attempts already, I doubt seriously he wants to go for number three.

[AlCzervik]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Chuckmak', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jboogy', 'i')t's been confirmed by the CIA that the head of pakistans secret police (or whatever they call it)wired a ton of cash to a guy who in turn wired it to muhammed atta (9/11 mastermind)some time before the attacks . So it should be obvious to anyone by now that pakistan doesn't give a rats behind what we think about their foriegn policy decisions.Oh what a tangled web we weave.

[mekrob]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')Musharaff already has had two assassination attempts already, I doubt seriously he wants to go for number three.

[mekrob]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A') guy who wired money to Mohammed Atta was meeting with our intelligence leaders on 9/11.

[Eli]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ferrelgiraffe', 'I')diots.

[NEOPO]

Hmmmmm.....
We'll bomb you to Stone Age, US told Pakistan

Richard Armitage is a member of PNAC.

IMO this is an attempt to show weakness where none exist.
Who says "they" do not read sun tzu?