June 17, 2004 - Looks like that on September 11, 2001, an order was given to shoot down planes manned by hijacking terrorists. This sounds like a preemptive strategy to me. Preemption always gets you in trouble; for example, Iraq. Had any plane been shot down it would have been lawsuit city. We have enough lawsuits from those killed by terrorists. Imagine the lawsuits if the government would have killed Americans in order to prevent more Americans from being killed.

This commission also reported that Saddam Hussein and Al Qaida were in communication with each other. The news spun this to say that Saddam refused to help Al Qaida plan and execute attacks against Americans, painting a picture of poor Saddam standing up and defying big bad Al Qaida. They may not have been buddies but Al Qaida must have seen Saddam as a potential ally. Maybe not in 2001 but what about in 2002 or 2003? That possible alliance has now been eliminated.

All inhabitable land on this planet is sovereign. All terrorists operate within the borders of sovereign nations. Whether or not that nation aides them is another matter. When it comes to terrorists, not making an attempt to discourage them from operating within your borders is the same has harboring them. These are the nations that we need to deal with; preemptively, if necessary.

Story Link: 9/11 Panel Raps Response to Hijackings