This is different. It would be similar to a post-Pearl Harbor Commission
burying the report by the radar operator.

There is clearly a major coverup about the program, and we can only
speculate why. My guess, and only that, is that the program's goals
and techniques were, and still are, regarded as top secret. In
addition, it was (and probably still is) of dubious legality. Couple
that with the points that Chuck made regarding no known criminal
actions at the time, just an inferred chain of circumstantial evidence
which probably implicated a lot of other people besides Atta. Although
there may have been a bungle here also, I'm still convinced that the
really criminal screwup was by the FBI for not following up on the
flight school tips.

This is different. It would be similar to a post-Pearl Harbor Commission
burying the report by the radar operator.


wrote:
There is clearly a major coverup about the program, and we can only
speculate why. My guess, and only that, is that the program's goals
and techniques were, and still are, regarded as top secret. In
addition, it was (and probably still is) of dubious legality.

A double BINGO right there. Spying within US borders, and epsecially on
US citizens, is a real hot potato... as it should be.


... Couple
that with the points that Chuck made regarding no known criminal
actions at the time, just an inferred chain of circumstantial evidence
which probably implicated a lot of other people besides Atta. Although
there may have been a bungle here also, I'm still convinced that the
really criminal screwup was by the FBI for not following up on the
flight school tips.


I'd agree, but then I also tend to pull toward maximum freedom &
constitutional protection of citizens rights, rather than maximum
security. Consider the slippery slope... it's been said by some that
they'd gladly torture suspects if the info gained saved an American
life. Agree? I don't. How about the next step, the torture of American
citizens to gain info that *might* save some lives? We've already taken
the step of detaining American citizens with no due process, shucks why
not torture them too?

Most of what has been foisted off on us as "security" and "war on
terrorism" measures don't do anything at all to increase our security.
They are very seriouos abouot increasing the security of the politicians
in charge, though... physically (I mean, when you call in the 82nd
airborn to keep all citizens at least 4 blocks away from President Bush
when he visits "historic Jackson Square" in New Orleans) and politically
(remember J. Edgar Hoover and his eager to share his 'files' with
politicians he agreed with)...

We're already going down a really slippery slope here. And the ones
shouting loudest for Freedom and the flag are generally the ones doing
the pushing.

Regards
Doug King