It doesn't behoove a civilian (me) to criticize military experts who say it
was either impossible or prohibitively impractical and too dangerous to capture Osama bin
Laden in the massively rugged terrain of Tora Bora,
Afghanistan near the Pakistan
border. If I did an in-depth investigation it might behoove, but I didn't, so it
doesn't..
That said, the President , by his own words, wanted very much to get OBL dead or alive. I don't need to flame or fawn over George Bush. I take him as I see him: in some ways a sort of JFK-like liberal and globalizer (but less articulate) who wants to do the right thing, has made his share of mistakes---which include getting awfully politically correct--- and during much of his first six years in office has let opponents---including the weasels and two-faced--- mock gratuitously and put him on the defensive
As for Osama bin Laden's continued impunity, we keep hearing excuses that sound like distractions. Capturing him, we're told,would have no strategic value. It would only be a "psychological" victory. See? He's just a symbol now anyway, on kidney dialysis. Islamo terror will go on, with or without him, and with or without al-Quaeda. So what's it matter? It would only be a "psychological" score.....
Does it matter? Unless you smoke conspiracy crack in a lefty water pipe and think George Bush planted explosives and flew robot planes into the Twin Towers and Pentagon, you tend to take bin Laden at his word here. This rich jihadi managed to attack the U.S. mainland in a way that Hitler, Stalin and Tojo never did. On the recent CNN special he is shown stating(or quoted as stating) that he now has a religious " mandate" or "permission" to kill ten million Americans in the next strike. After five years he's still wanted, with no proof that he's dead or alive. And many Americans, with a straight face, will say this doesn't matter, it's just "psychological." The Government culture of non-accountability assists, as Democrats and Republicans point fingers at each other but actually, in their mime show, cover each other's big fat buttocks, nobody ever thrown in prison or even fired after hundreds of pages of official and "authoritative" 9.11 "inquiries" into how a bunch of Koran lovers could take pilot lessons in Florida and pull off such a spectacular and historic strike on the US mainland. In Washington the concepts of disgrace and dishonor have been safely sedated. In their caves and mosques the self-styled "holy warriors" seem to understand this. Why would they not mock and defy?
Rome, of course, had an outlook somewhat different from today's Washington. One example is the pressure in the second century BC to get Jugurtha. Jugurtha was king of the Numidians in the Roman province of Africa, what today would be called North Africa or Algeria near Tunisia. (This was a long time, incidentally, after Africa had invaded Europe, when the legendary Hannibal crossed the Alps with his elephants and barbarian army, plunging down into terrified Italy.)
Marius had done what many ambitious, energetic young men from modest backgrounds have done throughout the ages: He joined the military. He rose in the ranks. When the call came to 'Get Jugurtha!', Marius was ready.The aristocratic Senate wasn't crazy about this upstart. They were as high-born as George Bush and understandably wary about someone who might not play by "the rules of the game." But Marius got the assignment: 'Go get Jugurtha!' He went.
If you think it was a breeze in that rocky, mountainous terrain in North Africa because the Romans didn't have the ACLU or preppy "Pinch" Sulzberger or a thousand shifty lawyers watching their backs, you still have to admit that the Roman Army had no air support, or mechanized logistics, c-rations or even a capability for heliborne Ranger insertions, not to mention no instant telecom with Rome. But, without going into details and cutting to the rugged chase, put it this way: Marius got his man. Yes, there's some question as to whether the aristocratic Sulla, due to some clever work with Jugurtha's father-in-law, laid the trap of treachery for the Numidian king and should get equal or greater credit than the now celebrated Marius. Whatever, the fact remains that Jugurtha was brought to Rome and paraded in chains in the Triumph, as the people cheered wildly. After the grand festivities he was delivered to a dungeon, rather unceremoniously, where uncouth soldiers, or guards (possibly breaking stringent Roman discipline) ripped the precious earrings off his ears. Jugurtha eventually died in that dungeon.
The Romans, known for their extraordinary engineering, soaring architecure, road building, constitution, system of laws, and state religion, seemed to have no qualms about a mere "psychological" victory.
Gringoman,
Glad you're back. Your Roman history lesson is strongly appreciated - I always relished Sallust!
Posted by: JMK | September 16, 2006 at 03:05 AM
JMK,
Thanks. And feel free to mention what it is you relish in Sallust---someone I have to catch up with one of these diems or annums.
Posted by: gringoman(Dan Cameron Rodill) | September 18, 2006 at 03:35 PM
c'est une betise de comparer un héros national d'Afrique de Nord (un amazigh =un homme libre) avec un terroriste) ,jugurtha n'est pas un Arabe ,
il été un roi qui défendi son pays et puis les roumains ne l'ont pas capturé mais il a été trahi.
attention à la veracité des récits de salluste( il été un roumain non!!!)
Posted by: Jugurtha | March 23, 2007 at 04:52 PM
c'est une betise de comparer un héros national d'Afrique de Nord (un amazigh =un homme libre) avec un terroriste) ,jugurtha n'est pas un Arabe ,
il été un roi qui défendi son pays et puis les roumains ne l'ont pas capturé mais il a été trahi.
attention à la veracité des récits de salluste( il été un roumain non!!!)
Posted by: Jugurtha | March 23, 2007 at 04:56 PM
hi, i am a first time filmmaker based in upstate ny. i am making a film about muslims in america. i would like to use the picture of osama bin laden in the film. can i have permission to use it? pls let me know if you have any questions. thanks! mara
Posted by: mara | December 15, 2007 at 11:26 AM
you are realy an idiot to compare Jugurtha to ben laden !!!
jugurtha is a king of berbers who was not arab and he wan't captured bu he was betried by an other king.
finally fuck your rome and USA
Posted by: massinissa | March 03, 2009 at 11:41 AM
but you are realy an idiot because ben laden is working for Bush and the WTC is destroyd by CIAµ.
Posted by: massinissa | March 03, 2009 at 11:43 AM
the fact is you are an ignorant so you compare jugurtha to this fucking man...like jugurtha said:finally fuck your rome and USA
Posted by: necros | June 16, 2010 at 11:19 AM
It is a really good go through for me, Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative write-up.
Posted by: Jordan AJF 8 | August 02, 2010 at 02:32 AM
Life is short! I hope I can talk to you in the blog life as wonderful and beautiful! This makes sense of my life be flies! I should have left a footprint in this world!
Posted by: Puma Shoes | August 20, 2010 at 11:59 PM
If you rely solely on guns and gun training for self-defense, you could easily wind up getting shot with your own weapon.
Posted by: buy used rifles | February 01, 2011 at 05:03 AM
great job. I always check this blog, I am very impressed! Very useful information, especially the last part:) I have this information it is seeking care for a very long LottietimeThank you, I wish you good luck for specific information
Posted by: philadelphia phillies replica jerseys | July 31, 2011 at 09:54 PM
I agree with you. This post is truly inspiring. I love all your articles and share with usthe latest, very rich, I would like to bookmark the page so that I can come here again to see you, you have done a wonderful job ... ...
Posted by: air jordan 19 | August 01, 2011 at 04:13 AM
I took the time to read all the comments, but I really liked the article. It proved to be very helpful to me, and I believe all the critics here! Always good when you can not just be told, but!
Posted by: willie mays jerseys | August 29, 2011 at 11:36 PM
Your point is valueble for me. Thanks!
Posted by: Louis Vuitton Belts | September 17, 2011 at 06:06 AM
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Betty Acord | January 22, 2013 at 05:02 PM
This blog was... how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I've found something that helped me. Kudos!
Posted by: Herta Ocheltree | January 22, 2013 at 09:34 PM
This is a topic that is close to my heart... Best wishes! Exactly where are your contact details though?
Posted by: Deeanna Strakbein | January 22, 2013 at 11:36 PM
Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Taking the time and actual effort to produce a great article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never seem to get nearly anything done.
Posted by: Angelo Petties | January 23, 2013 at 01:28 AM
I need to to thank you for this very good read!! I definitely enjoyed every bit of it. I have you bookmarked to look at new things you post…
Posted by: Edward Lamirand | January 23, 2013 at 05:59 AM
When I initially commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I get four emails with the exact same comment. Is there a way you are able to remove me from that service? Many thanks!
Posted by: Tabetha Cowger | January 23, 2013 at 12:16 PM
There's certainly a great deal to find out about this topic. I really like all of the points you made.
Posted by: Denese Crellin | January 24, 2013 at 06:45 PM
Hello there, There's no doubt that your website could possibly be having browser compatibility problems. When I look at your site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in I.E., it's got some overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, fantastic website!
Posted by: Patty Arkadie | January 25, 2013 at 03:18 AM
I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your information. Your article has really peaked my interest. I'm going to book mark your website and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.
Posted by: Marlena Esquirel | January 25, 2013 at 10:25 AM
Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely feel this site needs much more attention. I’ll probably be returning to see more, thanks for the info!
Posted by: Nichelle Carran | January 25, 2013 at 06:44 PM