BREAKING NEWS: Why Bin Laden is still free

[Axxon]

WXIA-TV
Bush: Bin Laden free because US 'hasn't got him'
Turkish Press - 1 hour ago
WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush, who declared in late 2001 that he wanted Osama bin Laden "dead or alive," said Thursday that the Al-Qaeda chief was at large "because we haven't got him yet.

I would have never figured that one out. :D

[Axxon]

BTW, I think this story was pulled. I had found it on google news and sent the above in an email and when I went back I can't find it now.

It's real though.

hxxp://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200705/s1932742.htm


Bush: Bin Laden free because US 'hasn't got him'

US President George W Bush says Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden is still at large "because we haven't got him yet."

"Why is he at large? Because we haven't got him yet. That's why. And he's hiding. And we're looking. And we will continue to look until we bring him to justice," Mr Bush said defensively at a White House press conference.

In 2001 Mr Bush had vowed to capture bin Laden "dead or alive" in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

Mr Bush's Democratic critics have often charged that the decision to invade Iraq drew resources and focus from the hunt for the terrorist mastermind, who is thought to be in a remote area along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

The US president had been asked what he would have thought five years ago if someone had told him that the author of the September 11, 2001 strikes would be still at large and, in Mr Bush's own words, looking to create a terrorist base in Iraq to plot attacks on the United States and its allies.

"I would say that five years ago, like I said, we're going to pursue him, and we are pursuing him. And he's hiding. He is in a remote region of the world. If I knew precisely where he is, we would take the appropriate action to bring him to justice," he replied.

He noted that several top bin Laden lieutenants had been captured or killed and said of bin Laden himself "he's not out there traipsing around. He's not leading many parades, however. He's not out feeding the hungry."

"He's isolated, trying to kill people to achieve his objective. Those are his words. His objectives are his words, not mine. He has made it clear."

Mr Bush's public remarks about bin Laden have at times sparked controversy, notably when, in March 2002, the president said "I truly am not that concerned about him."

In late 2004, after his Democratic White House rival, Senator John Kerry, assailed him over that comment, Bush responded: "Gosh, I just don't think I ever said I'm not worried about Osama bin Laden. It's kind of one of those exaggerations."


In other news Bush: The ocean is wet because it's made of water.

One nitpick, I hate when they call him Mr. Bush. I disagree with him and don't support him but he is president Bush and it's disrespectful to the office to not call him that.

[Fonzie]

That would certainly explain it.

[Router Help]

http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=177909

[gottimd]

That would certainly explain it.

About the Ocean? No, I need further proof and details.

[timmynausea]

So now all the Monday morning quarterbacks show up. I've been saying we should get him since day 1.

[Maple Leafs]

He's not leading many parades, however.
So he is leading some parades?

Because that would be a good time grab him.

[MJ4H]

Ask a stupid question...

[gottimd]

So he is leading some parades?

Because that would be a good time grab him.

What if he is leading the "Don't grab the leader" Parade?

[Axxon]

So he is leading some parades?

Because that would be a good time grab him.


I really, really wish someone had actually asked him this and seen his response. :D

[Logan]

Ask a stupid question...

Fair point.

For the record, I would have given the same response. What should he say? "Because my intelligence agencies and I are incompetent at our jobs."

Everyone already thinks he's stupid...what's one more comment.

[Axxon]

Ask a stupid question...

...and you should still be able to expect a sensible dignified answer from a head of state. Hey, I'm not saying they're not human too but they should know how to answer stupid questions again, for dignity, decorum and respect.

I'm not saying he couldn't react sarcastically, dismissively, reflectively etc. Just don't give an equally stupid answer without making it clear that's what you're doing and you're aware of it.

Just IMHO.

[Axxon]

Everyone already thinks he's stupid...what's one more comment.

It's better to keep your mouth shut and have people think you are a fool than to open it and remove any lingering doubt.

*SHURG*

[MJ4H]

...and you should still be able to expect a sensible dignified answer from a head of state. Hey, I'm not saying they're not human too but they should know how to answer stupid questions again, for dignity, decorum and respect.

I'm not saying he couldn't react sarcastically, dismissively, reflectively etc. Just don't give an equally stupid answer without making it clear that's what you're doing and you're aware of it.

Just IMHO.

I thought that considering the question, it was about as sensible and dignified as possible.

[Axxon]

I thought that considering the question, it was about as sensible and dignified as possible.

To me that sounds like "lowering yourself to their level" and that's exactly what our leaders should not do. I don't want to be lead by someone who can be easily dragged down like that. I wouldn't mind if he'd said something like "what the hell am I supposed to say" after his quote to note how asinine the question was but as written it doesn't look like he thought it was a stupid question and was answering it in earnest.

[MJ4H]

How can you say it was ok to react sarcastically and then not think his answer was ok? That's exactly what his answer was.

[ISiddiqui]

How can you say it was ok to react sarcastically and then not think his answer was ok? That's exactly what his answer was.

Knowing our President, I can't be certain it was sarcastic.

[Logan]

It's better to keep your mouth shut and have people think you are a fool than to open it and remove any lingering doubt.

*SHURG*

We're really still on the fence about this?

[Axxon]

Knowing our President, I can't be certain it was sarcastic.

That would be my answer too as it ties directly into the Logan quotes.

[Axxon]

We're really still on the fence about this?

From my totally anecdotal browsing I'd say people that oppose him are split 50/50 between stupid and evil. My personal vote is evil btw.

[Maple Leafs]

What if he is leading the "Don't grab the leader" Parade?
Good point. I guess in that case you'd need to wait until you knew for sure it was over. For example, you could wait for the "Mission Accomplished" float to go by.

[Izulde]

FWIW, capturing bin Laden won't matter shit in the grand scheme of things. Al-Q. is just one tiny, tiny cell. This idea of a vast global network is a bullshit propoganda piece.

[ISiddiqui]

From my totally anecdotal browsing I'd say people that oppose him are split 50/50 between stupid and evil. My personal vote is evil btw.

Why can't he be both? ;)

[Axxon]

Why can't he be both? ;)

I'm not sure he has the mental capacity for two thoughts at the same time...

oh wait. Nevermind. ;)

[ThunderingHERD]

I hate Bush as much as the next guy, but...

The joke seems to be that his reply was self-evident--that's really not the case. The question could have been answered by shifting blame, responsibility, etc. in any number of directions. Instead, Bush focused those things squarely on the US or his administration or whatever he meant by we.

[Fonzie]

So he is leading some parades?

I guess that settles it then.

Everybody loves a parade.

[Butter]

hxxp://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200705/s1932742.htm



In other news Bush: The ocean is wet because it's made of water.

One nitpick, I hate when they call him Mr. Bush. I disagree with him and don't support him but he is president Bush and it's disrespectful to the office to not call him that.

It's pretty standard convention for foreign reporters to refer to heads of state as Mr. or Ms. Not sure what your beef is with that.

[Neon_Chaos]

There's an old saying in Tennessee - I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again.

[B & B]

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r59/MsgMills/FatRosieODonnelmsc.jpg