My teenaged son, watching a show on the History Channel about the war in Afghanistan, just asked me why we haven't found Bin Laden yet. I told him we haven't found him because we quit looking for him. He asked why, and I told him it's because Bush, himself, said he just doesn't care about him. My son didn't understand this and kept asking why Bush didn't care about finding him. I offered that perhaps Bush needed a boogeyman to keep the populace scared (he used Bin Laden to his advantage in 2004, that's for sure). I didn't know what to say except to go looking for the exact quotes to read to him.
The exact Q&A from the White House website is posted on the flip.
We all remember how Bush stated that he just doesn't think about Bin Laden. After all the incidents over the past few years, though, some of us might not remember that he said these words a year before we invaded Iraq. I'd forgotten it was so early into the supposed search.
I feel these words speak for themselves, so I'll just let Bush paint the picture for you.
This is from a March 13, 2002 WH Press Conference.
Emphasis is mine.
Q Mr. President, in your speeches now you rarely talk or mention Osama bin Laden. Why is that? Also, can you tell the American people if you have any more information, if you know if he is dead or alive? Final part -- deep in your heart, don't you truly believe that until you find out if he is dead or alive, you won't really eliminate the threat of --
THE PRESIDENT: Deep in my heart I know the man is on the run, if he's alive at all. Who knows if he's hiding in some cave or not; we haven't heard from him in a long time. And the idea of focusing on one person is -- really indicates to me people don't understand the scope of the mission.
Terror is bigger than one person. And he's just -- he's a person who's now been marginalized. His network, his host government has been destroyed. He's the ultimate parasite who found weakness, exploited it, and met his match. He is -- as I mentioned in my speech, I do mention the fact that this is a fellow who is willing to commit youngsters to their death and he, himself, tries to hide -- if, in fact, he's hiding at all.
I'll let you read that again: Bush says that Bin Laden "is a fellow who is willing to commit youngsters to their death...." Anyone else see the irony here?
So I don't know where he is. You know, I just don't spend that much time on him, Kelly, to be honest with you. I'm more worried about making sure that our soldiers are well-supplied; that the strategy is clear; that the coalition is strong; that when we find enemy bunched up like we did in Shahikot Mountains, that the military has all the support it needs to go in and do the job, which they did. [Ed note: Yeah, right. He's worried about "making sure our soldiers are well-supplied" and "has all the support it needs to go in and do the job."]
And there will be other battles in Afghanistan. There's going to be other struggles like Shahikot, and I'm just as confident about the outcome of those future battles as I was about Shahikot, where our soldiers are performing brilliantly. We're tough, we're strong, they're well-equipped. We have a good strategy. We are showing the world we know how to fight a guerrilla war with conventional means.
Q But don't you believe that the threat that bin Laden posed won't truly be eliminated until he is found either dead or alive?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, as I say, we haven't heard much from him. And I wouldn't necessarily say he's at the center of any command structure. And, again, I don't know where he is. I -- I'll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him. I know he is on the run. I was concerned about him, when he had taken over a country. I was concerned about the fact that he was basically running Afghanistan and calling the shots for the Taliban.
But once we set out the policy and started executing the plan, he became -- we shoved him out more and more on the margins. He has no place to train his al Qaeda killers anymore. And if we -- excuse me for a minute -- and if we find a training camp, we'll take care of it. Either we will or our friends will. That's one of the things -- part of the new phase that's becoming apparent to the American people is that we're working closely with other governments to deny sanctuary, or training, or a place to hide, or a place to raise money.
And we've got more work to do. See, that's the thing the American people have got to understand, that we've only been at this six months. [Ed note: He gave up on Bin Laden after six months in Afghanistan?] This is going to be a long struggle. I keep saying that; I don't know whether you all believe me or not. But time will show you that it's going to take a long time to achieve this objective. And I can assure you, I am not going to blink. And I'm not going to get tired. Because I know what is at stake. And history has called us to action, and I am going to seize this moment for the good of the world, for peace in the world and for freedom.
Mike Allen. I'm working my way back, slowly but surely. Michael.
After I read this entire exchange to my son, he said that he feels the feeling he gets before he gets into a fight with somebody (um, yeah, he's been in a few fights at school, none of which he started buch each of which he finished). He said he is furious at Bush now, knowing he gave up on the REAL enemy after just a few months but his uncle is over in Kuwait because Bush sold the idea (to many) that Iraq had something to do with 9/11.
Having said all that, I feel it is necessary to add the very next question in this press interview, because it is very important in a historical context and illustrates the warped view Bush had of his powers 14 months into his reign of terror. Again, emphasis was added.
Q Mr. President, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has asked Governor Ridge to testify about the administration's domestic homeland security efforts. Why has the White House said that Governor Ridge will not testify?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, he's not -- he doesn't have to testify; he's a part of my staff, and that's part of the prerogative of the Executive Branch of government. And we hold that very dear.
Q Mr. President, that's another area, along with the war and the development of the energy policy --
THE PRESIDENT: This wasn't a trick question, Mike -- get me to say that and then kind of have a quick follow-up? But go ahead.
Q No, sir. But that's an area where Congress has said members of both parties have told us they're not getting enough information from the White House.
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, Mike, Mike, we consult with Congress all the time. I've had meaningful breakfasts with the leadership in the House and the Senate. I break bread [Ed note: Dog whistle to religious right?] with both Republicans and Democrats right back here in the Oval Office, and have a good, honest discussion about plans, objectives, what's taking place, what's not taking place. We have members of our Cabinet briefing. Condoleezza Rice is in touch with the members of the Congress. We are in touch with -- we understand the role of the Congress. We must justify budgets to Congress. And so I don't buy that, to be frank with you.
Q Mr. President, given --
THE PRESIDENT: Mike, this is the third. Two follow-ups is a record. Keep trying.
Q Given that you've not convinced everyone in your own party of that, to what degree are you trying to recalibrate the power between Congress and the presidency?
THE PRESIDENT: Mike, I'm just doing my job. We'll let all the kind of legal historians figure all that out, you know.
First of all, I'm not going to let Congress erode the power of the Executive Branch. I have a duty to protect the Executive Branch from legislative encroachment. I mean, for example, when the GAO demands documents from us, we're not going to give them to them. These were privileged conversations. These were conversations when people come into our offices and brief us. Can you imagine having to give up every single transcript of what is -- advised me or the Vice President? Our advice wouldn't be good and honest and open.
And so I viewed that as an encroachment on the power of the Executive Branch. I have an obligation to make sure that the presidency remains robust and the Legislative Branch doesn't end up running the Executive Branch. On the other hand, there's plenty of consultation, Mike. I don't know what single Republican you're referring to. But if you'd give me the name afterwards, I'll be glad to have him over for another consultation, if you know what I mean. (Laughter.)
So um, yeah. This runaway train has got to stop.
I posted this diary today because after all the talk about Guard troops serving in the Iraq war, including my brother, I felt it was of vital importance to remind everybody just how far out of focus this administration went after 9/11, and just how hard they've pushed the boundaries of power.
I wanted to italicize and bold almost everything Bush said. It was hard to narrow down some of the emphasis, but I hope what I emphasized helps illustrate the story and makes your blood boil as much as mine and my son's.
Talk amongst yourselves.