Flashback: Seven years ago today, Bush received ‘Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S.’ memo.
Flashback: Seven years ago today, Bush received ‘Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S.’ memo.
Today marks seven years since the day President Bush received a President’s Daily Brief entitled “Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S.” (See the memo here.) At the time, Bush was vacationing at his ranch in Crawford, TX and stayed on vacation the rest of August 2001. Here’s how the administration reacted, according to the 9/11 Commission report:
— [President Bush] did not recall discussing the August 6 report with the Attorney General or whether Rice had done so. [p. 260]
— We have found no indication of any further discussion before September 11 among the President and his top advisers of the possibility of a threat of an al Qaeda attack in the United States. DCI Tenet visited President Bush in Crawford, Texas, on August 17 and participated in the PDB briefings of the President between August 31 (after the President had returned to Washington) and September 10. But Tenet does not recall any discussions with the President of the domestic threat during this period. [p. 262]
The day after he received the memo, “Bush seemed carefree as he spoke about the books he was reading, the work he was doing on his nearby ranch, his love of hot-weather jogging, his golf game and his 55th birthday,” the Washington Post noted. Today — 2,557 days later — Bin Laden still remains free and “determined to strike in U.S.”
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And he’s still a moron.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:37 amThe day after he received the memo, “Bush seemed carefree as he spoke about the books he was reading, the work he was doing on his nearby ranch, his love of hot-weather jogging, his golf game and his 55th birthday,” the Washington Post noted.
__________________________________________________________
And Bush still seems carefree. In fact, the only difference seems to be that he has given up golf. His concern about Osama bin Laden appears to be exactly the same today as it was seven years ago.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:40 am“The most important thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden. It is our number one priority and we will not rest until we find him.”
- G.W. Bush, 9/13/01
“I don’t know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don’t care. It’s not that important. It’s not our priority.”
August 6th, 2008 at 9:43 am- G.W. Bush, 3/13/02
Osama bin Laden is the bogeyman, and as any manipulative parent knows, you don’t get rid of the bogeyman, otherwise you lose the power of fear over your children.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:43 am“It’s just a goddamn piece of paper!” - gwb regarding the constitution.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:46 amto Dumbya; Osama Been Forgotten is out of sight, out of mind.
(Assuming the idiot-in-chief has a mind to begin with).
August 6th, 2008 at 9:47 amI’m a New Yorker. Every day I go to work I see the hole in the sky where the WTC should be. In 2004 I couldn’t, and still don’t, understand why a majority of Americans could possibly be nuts enough to vote for the Deciderer. Here’s hoping that enough Americans sane up enough to vote for a responsible, thinking, pragmatic candidate for President.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:48 amImpeach Pelosi, Cheney and Bush and Save the Constitution.
George always was a loser and he always will be a loser — An irresponsible, dimwitted boy-king, drunk on power.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:51 amThemis Says:
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As the report stated, the FBI had 70 full field operations in the U.S. that it considered related to Bin Laden at the time, treating it like a law enforcement investigation. If only they had the anti-terrorism tools in place then that we have now instead of treating it like a law enforcement investigation. Thank goodness we now have the proper tools in place that the Bush Administration has used to keep us safe from such attacks since 9/11/2001. The thing we must guard against is a return to that pre 9/11 “law enforcement” mentality.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:49 am
You are quite pathetic and totally hopeless …………
August 6th, 2008 at 9:58 am“The day after he received the memo, “Bush seemed carefree as he spoke about the books he was reading…”
He was still trying to work his way through My Pet Goat? Hey Georgie, it would help if you could read without moving your lips…
August 6th, 2008 at 10:00 amThe day after he received the memo, “Bush seemed carefree as he spoke about the books he was reading,
Since when has using coloring books been regarded as “reading” ?
August 6th, 2008 at 10:05 amSo the President doesn’t remember something covered in a daily brief a mere month before he was paralyzed by a goat story?
Liar or idiot? Neither is comforting. After eight years of Bush bleedership, his ability to fabricate is well documented.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:05 amThemis Says:
The thing we must guard against is a return to that pre 9/11 “law enforcement” mentality.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:49 am
_______
Why? Are you afraid your idols in the administration will get prosecuted for their crimes against humanity?
August 6th, 2008 at 10:08 amHmmm. Law Enforcement techniques sure seemed to work finding the people responsible for the first Trade Center bombing. And the ‘anti-terrorism’ techiniques sure seem to be flaming out spectacularly when it comes to bringing Osama bin Laden to justice or finding the anthrax terrorist without first accusing the wrong person.
Ooops, I just stated facts to a troll. How silly of me.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:08 amWorst…..President……Ever
August 6th, 2008 at 10:12 amSomebody help me here . . . what were the admissions qualifications to get into Yale in 1964?
August 6th, 2008 at 10:13 amThe day after he received the memo, “Bush seemed carefree as he spoke about the books he was reading…”
“Heh, yeah, I like ta read books ‘n stuff. Lemme tell ya, that guy Cliff Snotes sure did write a buncha good books….”
*rimshot*
Thankyewthankyewverrymuch…..
August 6th, 2008 at 10:14 amToday marks seven years since the day President Bush received a President’s Daily Brief entitled “Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S.”
Just 5 weeks later, the neocon wet dream came true. Since 9/11/01, they and their financial planners have never looked back. What a boon our collective tragedy was to their collective wealth.
Who needs a constitution, a balanced budget, or a strong military when there is so much money to be made? Following the rule of law was so pre-9/11!
PEACE
August 6th, 2008 at 10:15 amThemis Says:
If only they had the torture and illegal wiretap tools in place then that we have now. Thank goodness we now have the torture and illegal wiretap tools in place that the Bush Administration has used to keep us scared and subdued since 9/11/2001. The thing we must guard against is a return to that pre 9/11 “Constitutional” mentality.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:15 amPUTZ!!!
August 6th, 2008 at 10:16 amSorry for the apparent lack of respect for the office:
President PUTZ!!!
August 6th, 2008 at 10:17 amThemis Says:
If only they had the anti-terrorism tools in place then that we have now instead of treating it like a law enforcement investigation. Thank goodness we now have the proper tools in place that the Bush Administration has used to keep us safe from such attacks since 9/11/2001.
I don’t suppose you want to define those massively-effective “tools”, tool?
August 6th, 2008 at 10:17 amGimme a Break Says:
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Somebody help me here . . . what were the admissions qualifications to get into Yale in 1964?
August 6th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Money and a legacy
August 6th, 2008 at 10:17 amCaption: I want to be a cowboy when I grow up…
August 6th, 2008 at 10:22 amHe was busy with far more important matters - clearing brush.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:22 amThemis Says:
The thing we must guard against is a return to that pre 9/11 “law enforcement” mentality.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:49 am
What? and proceed directly to 1984?????
August 6th, 2008 at 10:25 amWhich, also has been done with alarming precision.
what were the admissions qualifications to get into Yale in 1964
Admissions interview:
1) what’s your last name?
2) are there any buildings on campus named after your relatives?
3) is your daddy’s name on the school’s donor list?
August 6th, 2008 at 10:26 amgummitch Says:
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Themis Says:
Thank goodness we now have the proper tools in place.
I don’t suppose you want to define those massively-effective “tools”, tool?
I think he is talking about his Depends.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:28 am#Gimme a Break Says:
Somebody help me here . . . what were the admissions qualifications to get into Yale in 1964?
If you have a famous father and grandfather and have lots of money, the requirements are that you are breathing.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:30 amswilliams; rank/office respect is NOT automatic.
It has to be EARNED.
Bushitler flunked by EVERY measure.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:31 amLook at the retarded jackass in the pic ; trying to stand and appear all macho/bad ass.
One of the reporters should have asked if his days as a cheerleader helped him with his pseudo-cowboy appearance and actions……..
August 6th, 2008 at 10:34 amThemis at comment #8 demonstrates the awful fear and cowardice of many of our fellow citizens. The AQ attack on the US was certainly terrible. However, there seems to be this myth that the attack was actually engineered and carried out by the Borg. You know, those half human and half machine members of the Borg collective with a hive mind, super human strength and near invincibility. Their attempts to assimilate all have long been feared throughout the galaxy.
Oh, wait a minute. This is the AQ that consisted of but a couple of thousand recruits living in hard scrabble conditions in Afghanistan who were able to launch an attack about every five years. This was the organization that usually failed in their attacks. Yes, they finally became enough of a threat that Clarke convinced Clinton to take them down. Bush failed to follow through. This did not change Bin Laden and AQ into the Borg. They were what they were and an appropriate invasion and clean up in Afghanistan would have done in AQ as well as supported further actions against other terrorist organizations. Remember, the 9/11 attack unified Arab and Muslims against terror. It was only the invasion of Iraq that turned Middle East opinion against us.
Themis lives in his fantasy world that any of his neighbors may have been secretly assimilated by the Borg. Has the US been free of attack? Yes, they can drain our treasury and kill our people in Iraq and now again in Afghanistan while still gaining more recruits. They do not need to spend the five years planning and infiltration to accomplish their goals by attacking the US. It only took one attack to make the US hysterical.
The RAND Corp. studied how countries fought more than 658 terrorist organizations through modern history. Guess what, law enforcement action works. Military action does not. Indeed, they criticized US tactics for undermining its own efforts. Yes, we should have hit Afghanistan and gotten Bin Laden by military action. Well defined target with actual camps and infrastructure along with an actual military (Taliban) protecting it. Everything else has been a waste. I do not care what kind of infrastructure you have in place. The US had more than enough information to have discovered the 9/11 plot without one single terrorist fighting innovation after 9/11. It takes an awareness of the threat for any system to work. Clinton recognized it late in his presidency. King George recognized it when it hit him in the face.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:36 amI guess The Miss hasn’t seen the Rand Report yet.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:38 amJMOHR,
August 6th, 2008 at 10:42 amYou have a great talent at summing up facts while painting a picture of truth…thank you.
If herr dubyah treated the attacks like a law enforcement issue perhaps he would have caught bin Laden and we wouldn’t have invaded a country that didn’t attack us.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:49 amMiss Molly, Bush has even changed his mind about golf - he’s back on the links again. I guess the glorious success of the surge freed him to resume golf. After all, the boy-king can only sacrifice so much, being an emperor and all.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:50 amAnd, the reich-wingers are too stupid to realize that the prevention of terrorist attacks on U.S. soil has been a law enforcement issue.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:50 amOsama bin Laden succeded because Clinton considered him an enemy. Clinton was W’s enemy and you know that old Isreali saying : “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
August 6th, 2008 at 10:50 amIs it also the anniversary of Bush telling the CIA agent who flew down to Crawford with his hair on fire about imminent AQ attacks “OK, you covered your ass. You can go now.”?
August 6th, 2008 at 10:55 amCuz li’l Georgie didn’t like havin’ his vacation disturbed. He was workin’ hard gettin’ Cheney set up to run things during those 7 months since inauguration and needed to get some brush clearin’ and some golfin’ R&R done.
Matt 36-
August 6th, 2008 at 11:00 amSaddam tried to kill his daddy. He was planning to invade Iraq before he was inaugurated. It was all about finding a way to do it, as Paul O’Neill said. All Bush needed was an excuse. 9/11/01 fit perfectly into the PNAC plan to “secure the realm”.
Der Chimperor, the idiot-boy-king, is and will always be DUMBER THAN A BAG OF TOENAIL CLIPPINGS.
August 6th, 2008 at 11:01 am“Bush reportedly heard the briefer out and replied: ‘All right. You’ve covered your ass, now.’”
Money and a legacy
He’s a legacy, like Flounder in Animal House.
August 6th, 2008 at 11:02 amThemis,
August 6th, 2008 at 11:02 amAgain, I ask, does it hurt when you pee?
“Now watch this drive!”
August 6th, 2008 at 11:14 amThemis Says:
The thing we must guard against is a return to that pre 9/11 “law enforcement” mentality.
Sorry, but we need a government that follows the Rule of Law, not the lawless travesty that Bushco has created in the wake of 9/11
But you “rule of law republicans” never really were for Rule of Law, were you?
August 6th, 2008 at 11:17 amAnd promply filed it in the round file that is his brain.
August 6th, 2008 at 11:26 amgummitch Says:
Themis Says:
I don’t suppose you want to define those massively-effective “tools”, tool?
That was well over an hour ago, Themis. Surely it doesn’t take that long to google a response. I mean, since you were so adamant about the unique counter-terrorism tools the Bushies brought to bear on the “enemy”, what could be taking so long?
August 6th, 2008 at 11:29 amgummitch Says:
“Themis…since you were so adamant about the unique counter-terrorism tools the Bushies brought to bear on the “enemy”, what could be taking so long?”
Mama called Themis up for a nice cold juicebox and a grilled cheese sandwich.
August 6th, 2008 at 11:32 amExactly what measures were halted by the lack of “proper tools”? And in what arena do these magical “proper tools” fall, if not in “law enforcement”?
All the tools in the world won’t get a cabinet built if the guy with the key to the workshop is watching NASCAR on TV.
The “pre 9/11 mentality” that must be avoided was Bush’s pre-9/11 mentality of “Vacation, vacation, vacation”.
August 6th, 2008 at 11:34 amHey, ralph, back off! That was my question, an hour ago. Scene stealer!
August 6th, 2008 at 11:36 amMy bad, gum… I just dropped in and didn’t take the time to read beyond the ball-on-the tee set up by Themis. It’s all you.
(ralph backs away slowly)
August 6th, 2008 at 11:42 amRalph and gummitch, y’all need to be careful, or you’ll wind up getting some of Mr P’s windswept urine on ya.
August 6th, 2008 at 11:49 amBut we got his driver. Yay, U.S.!
August 6th, 2008 at 11:54 amAll hat…
August 6th, 2008 at 11:55 amWe have found no indication of any further discussion before September 11 among the President and his top advisers of the possibility of a threat of an al Qaeda attack in the United States.
At no point during Bush’s entire presidency has actually done anything that could be considered in the American people’s best interest. And yet the Republican party is still considered by many to be the party of the people. These a$$holes could sell ice cubes to eskimos.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
August 6th, 2008 at 11:56 amThe Constitution…sooooo pre-9/11.
August 6th, 2008 at 11:57 amWe have found no indication of any further discussion before September 11 among the President and his top advisers of the possibility of a threat of an al Qaeda attack in the United States.
Thats because Cheney’s secret energy meetings with the Oil companies have been kept, well…. secret.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:01 pmPaul W, I have to disagree. I think most of the time that bush spent on vacation was in the nation’s best interest. That unfortunately doesn’t include the time seven years ago today, when he was too busy playing golf to pay attention to his PDB, but most of the rest of his vacation time was the best thing he could have done for the nation.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:03 pmCAPTION CONTEST: “Which one of you fellers is gonna give me a piggyback ride?”
August 6th, 2008 at 12:09 pmDuring the transition in January 2001, Condi Rice was told by her predecessor that her biggest challenge as National Security Advisor would be Islamic terrorism. She scoffed and later criticized the Clinton administration for being “obsessed” with al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden.
According to Ron Suskind, when the CIA briefer finished his presentation, B*sh said this:
“Alright, you covered your ass, you can go.”
August 6th, 2008 at 12:24 pmI did a Google News search for the Rand Corp report and only 2 links had the story — the LA Times and Third Party Watch. Why is the “librul” MSM ignoring this?! Just because it goes against everything Bushco has implement in our GWOT in the last seven farking years?
Anyways, here’s the press release directly from Rand:
http://www.rand.org/news/press/2008/07/29/
Current U.S. strategy against the terrorist group al Qaida has not been successful in significantly undermining the group’s capabilities, according to a new RAND Corporation study issued today.
Al Qaida has been involved in more terrorist attacks since Sept. 11, 2001, than it was during its prior history and the group’s attacks since then have spanned an increasingly broader range of targets in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, according to researchers.
In looking at how other terrorist groups have ended, the RAND study found that most terrorist groups end either because they join the political process, or because local police and intelligence efforts arrest or kill key members. Police and intelligence agencies, rather than the military, should be the tip of the spear against al Qaida in most of the world, and the United States should abandon the use of the phrase “war on terrorism,” researchers concluded.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:26 pmHeckuva job, Dubya!
You know, if he had actual reading comprehension, the PDB had it all mapped out right there.
Shame on you voters who voted for this MORON - twice.
Vote Smart in 2008. No More Idiot Presidents.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:27 pm.
R E M E M B E R:
9/11 happened on Bush’s watch…
… And did nothing to prevent it!
.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:30 pmCriminal negligence!
August 6th, 2008 at 12:31 pmI’m sure George W. Bush thanks God every day for idiots like Themis.
As Kurt Vonnegut once wrote: They are psychopathic personalities, or PPs. They can’t help it; it’s like having an allergy or diabetes. Their brains don’t work.
I don’t know if anyone’s mentioned Bush’s most memorable quote from August 6, 2001, but it goes something like this: To the security aide who handed him this memo, Bush said: “Okay, you’ve covered your ass. Now get out of here.”
Down in history with “Bring ‘em on”, “Heckuva job” and my personal favorite, “Who cares what you think?”
Worst President EVER. No one will ever eclipse him, no matter how badly we malign the McAncient. Please, God, don’t give us President McCain, now or ever…
August 6th, 2008 at 12:38 pm1) No special ‘anti-terrorism tools’ were necessary either to catch, try and imprison the first set of TRC bombers or to foil the Millennium Bombing Plot. Just good law-enforcement work and a commitment at the top.
But even though a major hijacking plot had just been foiled, the incoming Bush administration did nothing about the same people trying again. It wasn’t even on Ashcroft’s list of priorities.
2) If there had been nothing more than a NORAD scramble alert on the instance of a hijacking, 9-11, the WRC might still be standing. If each hijacked plane had a fighter escort within 20 minutes of their hijacking, would they have even gotten into NYC or DC airspace. But the despite the PDB and the Millennium Plot, there was no standing order. There was nothing.
3)New anti-terrorism tools should enable the government to distinguish between terrorists and non-terrorists, and capture the real terrorists. But the cases trotted out by the administration have been ludicrous–the “Dirty Bomber”, José Padilla–whom they announced as Abdullah al-Muhajir, remember–the guys wanting to attack the Brooklyn Bridge with blowtorches, the guys in Florida who asked their FBI contact for uniforms in order to atack Sears Tower–the guys who were going to attack–somehow–Fort Lee in New Jersey. And those tools seem to have them picking up terrorists for Gitmo–and then letting a sizeaable percentage of them go. If that’s effective use of anti-terrorist tools, I’m Jack Bauer.
3) Osama Bin Laden is still at large. That by itself is inexcusable–but to then turn around and use him as a bogeyman to keep people from voting for Barack Obama is just plain staggering. George Bush has shown the world that if you launch a massive terroeist attack on the United States, the Republican Party will let you get away with it. Not all the bellowing in the world can erase that failure.
There are thousand and thousands of dedicated law enforcement people who are striving honestly, forthrightly, and with all their strength to seek out and neutralize terrorist threats and keep America and the rest of the world safe. They deserve nothing but our gratitude and suppport. But their big bosses don’t care, have used the problem as a smoke screen and a scare tactic. The thousands deserve our applause; the bosses deserve scorn, ostracism, and jail.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:38 pmAnd let’s not forget the lovely Condaleeza Rice’s contribution to these great quotes:
“No one could have predicted…”
ha ha
Those words are the gift that just keeps on giving.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:40 pm“We’re Gonna Smoke Him Out”….
With What, Bush? Paper Airplanes?
As Long As O-I-L is not under “BEEN FORGOTTEN’S feet, we can forget about Bush having any concern about getting the guy that financed, recruited, trained and paid the people that pulled off the 9/11 attack!!
August 6th, 2008 at 12:53 pmralph the wonder llama said:
Paul W, I have to disagree. I think most of the time that bush spent on vacation was in the nation’s best interest.
Good point ralph.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
August 6th, 2008 at 1:09 pm911 = Inside Job
Anthrax Attacks = Inside Job
August 6th, 2008 at 1:31 pm911 = Inside Job
Anthrax Attacks = Inside Job
August 6th, 2008 at 1:31 pmMemo from who? Bin Laden? Ahh yes, of course! We hired him to do the job! Wait ’til he does it so we can push our right-wing agenda down America’s throat! Bin Laden is free and available for more staged terrorist attacks! Bush was more than pleased with the great job he did on 9/11!
August 6th, 2008 at 2:19 pmLet’s not forget, the Commander Guy took off 40% of his time from inauguration day until 9/11 on vacation…40%. They also took attack subs off station in the Gulf, tasked with killing OBL once he was located. They also shitcanned the Hart-Rudman bipartisan commission report on terrorism addressing things like airport security.
While Bush was cutting brush for much of 2001, Cheney was planning the hostile acquisition of Iraqi National Oil. All they needed was an event to trigger their invasion. Bush’s former business partner provided the trigger.
Bush-Cheney sacrificed 3000+ Americans to get their financial wetdream underway.
August 6th, 2008 at 3:52 pmIf the 8/6/01 PDB proves anything, it’s that 9/11 was NOT “an intelligence failure” (are you listening, corporate media?). The intelligence agents did their jobs. It was an administrative failure. The spoiled preppie boy, who never worked a day in his life, needed a MONTH vacation after only 6 months on the job. Where can I find a job that offers that?
August 6th, 2008 at 4:40 pmPeople, you are missing the fact that Osama launched the attacks on Clinton’s watch and what did he do? Also remember we have not had an attack since 911, that says something…
August 6th, 2008 at 7:33 pmPeople, you are missing the fact that Osama launched the attacks on Clinton’s watch and what did he do? Also remember we have not had an attack since 911, that says something…
you’re joking right? The Cole attacks? They happened right before Bush came into office. And, the perps behind the WTC ‘93 attacks are in jail.
Also, remember Madrid and London? And the constant attacks against US troops in Iraq since we invaded the country and opened the borders allowing Al Quada to enter the country?
August 6th, 2008 at 8:29 pmThemis Says:
The thing we must guard against is a return to that pre 9/11 “law enforcement” mentality.
No we also have to guard against you cowardly bedwetters taking us back to a pre 1776 mentality. You cowards want to give up YOUR rights and destroy the constitution in so you dont have to be so afraid of those scary swarthy people. Not that they REALLY help but you guys dont care about reality anyway and it may SEEM like they help and you are completely willing to turn this into a police state so you can FEEL less afraid and take brief forays out from under your mommys bed. The problem is when you give up YOUR rights you give up mine too and I would much rather die on my feet than live on my knees. So man up you bedwetting moron.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:35 am