Wednesday, March 10, 2004
"Between now and the end of the year."
Am I the only one who finds this just a tad revealing?
So, why is our time horizon for "making it very painful" for al Qaeda to the end of the year? Is there some reason why this year (as opposed to 2002, or 2003) is a better time for going after Osama bin Laden? And why not continue the efforts in 2005?
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not accusing the General of planning on ending the hunt on November 2. But his statement does seem to illuminate the current focus, one which happens to coincide with George Bush's election prospects. And, to me, that reeks of misplaced priorities.
Am I the only one who finds this just a tad revealing?
When asked if he thought bin Laden would be captured this year, [Gen. John Abizaid] said he had no way of knowing.(Abizaid is the Commander of the U.S. Central Command.)
But he said, "I think that we will make it very painful for al Qaeda between now and the end of the year."
So, why is our time horizon for "making it very painful" for al Qaeda to the end of the year? Is there some reason why this year (as opposed to 2002, or 2003) is a better time for going after Osama bin Laden? And why not continue the efforts in 2005?
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not accusing the General of planning on ending the hunt on November 2. But his statement does seem to illuminate the current focus, one which happens to coincide with George Bush's election prospects. And, to me, that reeks of misplaced priorities.
