If we look into the effects of their decisions or apparent negligence, one may consider Bush team to be a true master of politics.
* 9/11 is a good thing for Bush. It helps to create an urgent issue of national security, thus diverting attention from national economy, public health, environment, and other difficult issues that could not be solved in 4 years. It helps to consolidate power and silence oppositions (Who dare to oppose a legislation named "Patriot act" ? only the unpatriotic ones, of course) This issue helps Bush appearing as a strong national leader. Risks ?
What is the risk in fighting the poorest country on earth or an isolated crippled developing country ? None. It is all positive for Bush.
* A dependent Iraq is also a good thing for US. It provides justification for long-term US military presence to secure US interests. The war justifies increased US spending, which rewards many US companies in their patronage network. It also forced the Iraqi oil export to be dollar denominated, thus strengthing value of dollars and ease US inflation.
When a rich and powerful group of people play dumb,
a reasonable person should think twice...
RE: women and children on a plane are no threat...
Intentional targeting of civilians has been a part of warfare doctrine for centuries. Some historians accredit its invention to Sherman's March during American Civil War. The powerful insight is that civilians are the supporters of war, directly by providing service, or indirectly by tax contribution.
Did you learn about bombing of Hiroshima or Dresden in your high school history class ?
Why do you think Isreal is targeting Lebanese civilians ?
Slashdot Mirror
* 9/11 is a good thing for Bush. It helps to create an urgent issue of national security, thus diverting attention from national economy, public health, environment, and other difficult issues that could not be solved in 4 years. It helps to consolidate power and silence oppositions (Who dare to oppose a legislation named "Patriot act" ? only the unpatriotic ones, of course) This issue helps Bush appearing as a strong national leader. Risks ? What is the risk in fighting the poorest country on earth or an isolated crippled developing country ? None. It is all positive for Bush.
* A dependent Iraq is also a good thing for US. It provides justification for long-term US military presence to secure US interests. The war justifies increased US spending, which rewards many US companies in their patronage network. It also forced the Iraqi oil export to be dollar denominated, thus strengthing value of dollars and ease US inflation.
When a rich and powerful group of people play dumb, a reasonable person should think twice...
Intentional targeting of civilians has been a part of warfare doctrine for centuries. Some historians accredit its invention to Sherman's March during American Civil War. The powerful insight is that civilians are the supporters of war, directly by providing service, or indirectly by tax contribution.
Did you learn about bombing of Hiroshima or Dresden in your high school history class ?
Why do you think Isreal is targeting Lebanese civilians ?
Slavery IS STILL been practiced as punishment for crime in USA today.
Under 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, slavery IS STILL legal as a punishment for crime. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteenth_Amendment_ to_the_United_States_Constitution
This is the legal basis for "forced labor", "chain gang" or other methods of involuntary servitude in USA today.