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October 19, 2004

A must read -- Tommy Franks

Today in the New York Times

On more than one occasion, Senator Kerry has referred to the fight at Tora Bora in Afghanistan during late 2001 as a missed opportunity for America. He claims that our forces had Osama bin Laden cornered and allowed him to escape. How did it happen? According to Mr. Kerry, we "outsourced" the job to Afghan warlords. As commander of the allied forces in the Middle East, I was responsible for the operation at Tora Bora, and I can tell you that the senator's understanding of events doesn't square with reality.

Read the whole thing -- money quote:

Contrary to Senator Kerry, President Bush never "took his eye off the ball" when it came to Osama bin Laden. The war on terrorism has a global focus. It cannot be divided into separate and unrelated wars, one in Afghanistan and another in Iraq. Both are part of the same effort to capture and kill terrorists before they are able to strike America again, potentially with weapons of mass destruction. Terrorist cells are operating in some 60 countries, and the United States, in coordination with dozens of allies, is waging this war on many fronts. [emphasis added]

Posted by Darleen at October 19, 2004 12:52 PM

Comments

First, take Mr. Kerry’s contention that we “had an opportunity to capture or kill Osama bin Laden” and that “we had him surrounded.”

Kerry either doesn't know this, which makes him un-informed and stupid for making a statement on what he doesn't know, or he does know which makes him a pathetic liar.

Second, we did not “outsource” military action...Tora Bora,a mountainous, geographically difficult region.

You outsource jobs. To use this phrase shows Kerry's apathy for the real struggle in the War on Terror.

Third, the Afghans weren’t left to do the job alone.

If Kerry acknowledged that the Special Forces were involved it would contridict the effort of his complaint. That the "outsourcing" was a mistake, and that this was a Bush bungle.

I've heard the argument Franks makes elsewhwere, so the truth of these matters is not just now coming to light. The truth is out there Neo!

Posted by: song_and_dance_man at October 19, 2004 01:56 PM