Sunday, September 24, 2006

If War Grew Terror Threat, What Will Terror Do?

The President’s War on Terror grew the threat of terrorist attacks according to the National Intelligence Estimate, a compilation of intelligence from 16 federal agencies. This was predictable given the President’s recent round of speeches throwing all the new terrorist groups wanting to harm America into one big gumbo pot. Most were not on the list just after 9-11.

Now that the United States officially is ratcheting up its use of previously banned or illegal techniques, what will happen? As President Bush shifts from his war on terror to “Terror on Terror”, what is the likely response? Anyone with an understanding of systems thinking could reasonably conclude the threat will once again increase.

Consider the words of Bill Frist, Senate Majority Leader on the report which found the war helped create a new generation of Islamic radicalism and that the overall terrorist threat has grown since 9-11.

Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn. said he had not seen the classified report, which was completed in April, but said Americans understand the United States must continue to fight terrorists in Iraq and elsewhere.

Frist would not say whether the legislation would ban techniques that U.S. agents reportedly have used in the past, such as simulated drowning, cold cells, prolonged standing and sleep deprivation. He also said he did not know whether the bill would prevent prosecution of North Koreans, for example, if they captured Americans and simulated drowning, a technique known as "water boarding."

The top legislator in the Senate cannot read a 5 month old report on the President’s number 1 strategy? Whatever, the American people are paying him is too much. Which corporate donors benefit from the Senator’s inattention to such important matters? Are the intelligence agencies looking in that direction?

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