That Is Beside The P:oint

Dead or alive means just that. Not until we get distracted by the next pretty thing, not when we get around to it, not when the Preznit needs a ratings bump, and especially not after the man feels free to release tape after tape with no consequences. Bin Laden is responsible for one of the most heinous crimes ever perpetrated on this country (if you discount a certain decision in 2000) and should be brought to justice. The administration crowed over catching Zarqawi who didn't kill anyone on American soil, but we can let a mass murderer fall off the radar because we don't think he is important any more. Let's hope he doesn't make good on his threat to strike again since we don't think he is that important anymore.

C.I.A. Closes Unit Focused on Capture of bin Laden - New York Times: "The decision is a milestone for the agency, which formed the unit before Osama bin Laden became a household name and bolstered its ranks after the Sept. 11 attacks, when President Bush pledged to bring Mr. bin Laden to justice 'dead or alive.'

The realignment reflects a view that Al Qaeda is no longer as hierarchical as it once was, intelligence officials said, and a growing concern about Qaeda-inspired groups that have begun carrying out attacks independent of Mr. bin Laden and his top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Agency officials said that tracking Mr. bin Laden and his deputies remained a high priority, and that the decision to disband the unit was not a sign that the effort had slackened. Instead, the officials said, it reflects a belief that the agency can better deal with high-level threats by focusing on regional trends rather than on specific organizations or individuals.

'The efforts to find Osama bin Laden are as strong as ever,' said Jennifer Millerwise Dyck, a C.I.A. spokeswoman. 'This is an agile agency, and the decision was made to ensure greater reach and focus.'

The decision to close the unit was first reported Monday by National Public Radio.

Michael Scheuer, a former senior C.I.A. official who was the first head of the unit, said the move reflected a view within the agency that Mr. bin Laden was no longer the threat he once was.

Mr. Scheuer said that view was mistaken.

'This will clearly denigrate our operations against Al Qaeda,' he said. 'These days at the agency, bin Laden and Al Qaeda appear to be treated merely as first among equals.'"

Frakkin' unbelievable. For as many times as 9/11 has been thrown in our faces, used as an excuse to take our freedoms and liberties, used to justify torture and the abrogation of the Geneva Convention, the hubris of this administration knows no bounds. I would love to see Malkin and the others on the right justify this action. Keep accusing the Democrats of "cut and run" while the Current Occupant makes a mockery of our military, guts our Intelligence assets and lets the most evil man on the planet get away time after time.

No wonder they don't want us to have freedom of speech, we might point out An Incovenient Truth.

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge!

Tags: Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda, CIA, stupid ideas, Zarqawi, dead or alive, an incovenient truth.