From: "Mark" 


"Steve Ewing"  wrote in message
news:op.stodwf1tsagvys{at}news.barkto.com...
> On Sat, 09 Jul 2005 19:43:20 -0400, Mark  wrote:
>
>>
>> "Geo"  wrote in message
news:42d05c0c$1{at}w3.nls.net...
>>> "Mark"  wrote in message
>>> news:42d03f08$1{at}w3.nls.net...
>>>> "There have been many clandestine victories against
al Qaeda. More than
>>>> 3,000 al Qaeda operatives have been seized or slain in 102 countries
>>>> since
>>>> September 11, 2001*" -- Richard Miniter writing in
"Shadow War." (*
>>>> that
>>> was
>>>> through 2003, it's many more by now).
>>>
>>> Yeah right, it shows. I mean what a huge difference it's made..
>>
>> How do we know it hasn't? Just 4 terrorists did the London deed, what if
>> the
>> other 3000 hadn't been captured or killed?
>>
>> 3000/4 = 750 more Londons.
>
> The kicker is, who decides whether they are "al Qaeda operatives", or
> innocent cabdrivers in the wrong place?  Shoot first, ask questions later,
> hey presto! ain't no such thing as an innocent cabdriver.

I've no doubt that you're correct Steve, that some mistakes have been made.
I believe them to be the exception instead of the rule. It's unfortunate
that the terrorists have put us in a position where we have to go after
them; I'd much prefer that they hadn't done that, but am willing to live
with the occasional mistake in view of the alternative -- that would be the
"adopt a defensive mode and wait to see if they get through it"
alternative.


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