How Should the US Respond

[Frazod]

I'm kind of surprised that no one's done this yet (unless it's buried) but I'm curious where the majority weighs in.

[KCinNY]

I forsee a full blown high pressure diplomatic offensive aimed at "moderate" middle eastern nations(Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, etc.) to turn over with full cooperation all suspected terrorists and enemies of the US.

Coupled with this a massive strike, probably followed by military occupation against those countries directly resposible for supporting the bastards that did this. Whether it be Iraq, Iran, Libya, Afghanistan or a combination thereof.

[KCWolfman]

Tim, Personally, I am not willing to take that risk. China now has ballastics that can reach our country, so does Russia.

I just hope that Mexico doesn't have some wayward terrorists that piss off a nation retaliating with nuclear weapons. The fallout to our country would not be acceptable. I don't see why you think that Russia or China would accept it.

[Brock]

Carpet bombing is just fine if we don't want to use nukes.

[KCWolfman]

Carpet Bombing did not work for President Clinton against bin Laden.

Total destruction of the government center, a forced surrender to current rebel forces, and the turnover of bin Laden is what is required - minimally. Nothing else is acceptable.

[Frazod]

Russ, were it up to me, we'd already have done it.

And also, if it can be proved that Iraq was behind this, I would also fully advocate nuking Baghdad. But I'd damn sure clear it with Russia first. Hell, I've always thought we should team up with Russia and wipe these fuckers out together.

I believe our primary diplomatic goal should be to strengthen our ties to Russia now that they've emerged from the Communist muck and do everything to help them stabilize their current government. They are the most useful ally we could hope to have.

But don't worry, it's not up to me. I don't foresee a presidential run in my future. Probably a good thing.

[Rausch]

I couln't agree more with Frazod.

Right now Russia is the lady to court. We strenghten our diplomatic ties, help them rid their own corruption and maffia, we got a friend for life....


Russia could be the greatest ally this country has ever known, if it decides to do so....

[KCWolfman]

Russia has already suffered a Chernobyl. They would not accept fallout in their country any more than we would.

[Rausch]

MY brother married a russian woman. He's now got a russian daughter until she is able to change citizenship.


Her family called here. They wanted to assure her that the Russian people, for the most part, support us in whatever we do. But noted that there was a large percentage of Muslims there now. There are a minority who do not support us.


She also stated that they hoped we could help them eliminate their terrorism problem or press Putin to move more on that issue.

[Archie F. Swin]

An Allied Naval presense in the Persian Gulf, The Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea should be unmatched in history. An Allied force should be quickly etsblished in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India and the former USSR territories. While calculated strategic Scenarios are wrought, dust off Atomic Annie and prepare for World War III.

[Rain Man]

Sorry guys, but nukes just aren't an option. You've got over a billion people southeast of Afghanistan who wouldn't take kindly to fallout.

I think we've got three options:

1) As I stated in another thread, we go in with a full invading force to take out the government and the terrorist and set up an election mechanism. The key here would be to minimize damage to the civilian population and liberally sprinkle the countryside with humanitarian aid.

2) Otherwise, send in the real-life versions of Arnold Schwarzenegger and remove the cancers in the dark of night.

3) In an ironic move, use our economy as a weapon. Parachute an envoy with a blank check into that five percent of the country that's not controlled by the Taliban, and tell them that they've just won the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes. Include a catalog of (low to moderate-tech) weaponry that they can choose from with an 800 number and a promise of overnight delivery. Might be interesting as well to sanction volunteer American expeditionary forces in case any Americans want to volunteer to fight alongside these gallant souls, whoever the heck they are.

As was stated earlier, carpet bombing will be useless, because 98.7 percent of that country looks like it's already been carpet-bombed. And there's nothing to be gained by turning the populace against us when I really think that most of them are not too thrilled with their own government to start with.

[HC_Chief]

Nukes are absolutely out of the question! Bordering Afghanistan: CHINA, Pakistan and Iran. Drop a nuke in the region, start WWIII - and EVERYONE dies: including you, your families, your friends, your pets... everyone.

If Israeli intelligence reports are true, that Iraq financed the entire operation, I say we garrison their country. Gulf War II - this time, we're staying.

Tell the Taliban to hand over bin Laden, his family and all the members of his wacked sect. If they don't, we give the MujaHadin air cover, artillery, weapons, supplies and funding... let them take back their country from the Taliban minority. Employ NATO SpcFor 'Rainbow Six' style to take out bin Laden and his followers - wherever in the world they may be.

Tell Pakistan to stay the hell out of the conflict - unless they want NATO forces to smash their country and let the Indians garrison it.

[Archie F. Swin]

Originally posted by HC_Chief
If Israeli intelligence reports are true, that Iraq financed the entire operation, I say we garrison their country.

Wow! I'm hearing this for the first time . . . gotta link by chance?

[HC_Chief]

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtri...reaking_1.html

[Gaz]

"Of all the countries, Iraq seems the most reasonable [candidate]."

That is not good enough. "Most reasonable" is not sufficient. If hard evidence surfaces that Iraq was behind it, then declare war and go to it. But not until then.

We have evidence that Bin Laden as his people were behind previous attacks. That is enough reason to go after him and the regime that harbors him. That should be a separate track from investigation of this tragedy.

xoxo~
Gaz
Needs a stronger case than that.

[Brock]

Originally posted by Kevin
3) In an ironic move, use our economy as a weapon. Parachute an envoy with a blank check into that five percent of the country that's not controlled by the Taliban, and tell them that they've just won the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes. Include a catalog of (low to moderate-tech) weaponry that they can choose from with an 800 number and a promise of overnight delivery. Might be interesting as well to sanction volunteer American expeditionary forces in case any Americans want to volunteer to fight alongside these gallant souls, whoever the heck they are.

Kevin, I don't know about you, but I am sick of allying this country with "rebel" regimes only to have to kill that regime ten years later when they decide they don't like the Great Satan anymore. Bin Laden is one of them. We have no friends over there except Israel. The rest are at best potential enemies.