17May02

This is a "soapbox" entry. So read the first few lines and decide if you're interested. I hope so but if not, hey it's a free country.

Topic; New York Times Article "White House Calls for Response to Inquiry into Spt. 11 Warning". (dated 17May02)

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/17/politics/17CND-BUSH.html

O.K. people, this article is about how there was intelligence reports about activities and possibilities regarding the terrorists just when 911 went down.

All this bothers me because it seems that there's this growing tide of mistrust (could be the New York Times slant on things) toward the government. It's important to understand a few things first before going off at the mouth about how this and that did or didn't happen and as a result we were caught with our pants down on that fateful day.

First the questioning of our government's reactions. See, I think alot of people out there don't understand how difficult it is for any government to keep up and be as flexible and reactive or proactive as a terrorist group. The system that is in place to decide what to do about these groups is far too big and slow as opposed to any terrorist organization -no matter how big and complex the bad guys are. 

You can take a stop watch and literally time it. What do I mean ? well, bear with me and follow this example. Ready ? here goes.

Let's say there's a piece of information that makes its way to some defense outfit like the National Security Agency (NSA). Now these guys work continuously in conjunction with the CIA and all the other acronyms we have in place. The information is now in their hands

Start the stopwatch,click..

So, this information gets fed up the channell and finally manages to make it on someone's agenda and then, in time it gets discussed and if needbe it gets moved upstairs until it is acted upon by the powers that be. rememeber,the more critical the information is the faster it's supposed to move up the ladder to the decision makers.

Bang. Stop the clock.

Now take that time and compare that to the bad guys. They most certainly move their piece of intelligence up their ladder alot faster than we do here in America - or in most organized governments. That's it. There's nothing more to say about it. I'm no expert but I doubt very strongly that this theory can be so easily refuted. In fact, I am hoping that some day our government and many others like ours can be as proactive and fast and as flexible when it comes to dealing with terrorists. Until then, unfortunately, the media will always be hounding our government and second guessing why this or that didn't happen, why we didn't react as fast as we should have on certain pieces of intelligence etc..

This article (and specifically those who tink like this) just gets under my skin. The world of intelligence gathering is a shady world with mixed results. Results that we have to make decisions on and act or not act on. The funny part about it is that sometimes we act too fast and sometimes not fast enough. Hey, that's just being human,people. No reason to put the government or the President on the defensive.

Now wait a minute. I'm all for the freedom to question everything-especially the government. Just keep in mind that when it comes to this Terrorism thing, it isn't a partisan affair. Some things aren't political or just can't be or shouldn't be. I don't think that my life on this earth should be put in jeapardy due to politics (but he you never know).

I'd like to think that yes we can improve upon our way of handling this Terrorism issue but we really weren't paying attention to that before 911. Nothing new there,right ? right. So, back up give them some support and room and lend a hand somehow in improving the way we're dealing with this issue now that we've finally goten our unwanted scars from terrorism. Yes, people, we were the last ones who lacked such an unfortunate baptism (serious international terrorism scars that is). But we're here now and I'm sure that the prez and his crew are trying their very best to effect the changes needed.

Hmmm...so how do I wrap this up ? O.k let's close this in a letter  addressed to the media.

Dear media,

Back off, we're learning and the guys in the gov't are in the hotseat because they have to learn,decide and effect all of what is best for us. So, have a little faith in the gov't and the system of intel gathering. Something tells me that they're humans too,Americans as well as foreign nationals who work for us and they too are licking thier wounds and, under the shame and  embarrassment, are bustin' their butts to make the system better.

End of "soapbox"

Monday 9May02,

All's well With Carmen and me. Bought her a ticket to come up here and she did. Spent last weekend together and it was just fantastic. We really do make an awesome couple if I do say so myself-heh.

Unfortunately, her grandmother has a tumor in her colon and there's a big possibility that she'll have to get operated . Carmen's whole world is her g-ma. That whole family is tight and all due to the g-ma. That's cool but now they're going to have to face this one together. Carmen's clearly quite concerned but has faith in the big marine in the sky. Mee too. Wish i could do more for Carmen and her grandmother. Actually,her grandmother and I are really cool. it just was nice to hit it off with her since,as they tell me, she's usually not easily won over by people.

I'm not one for prayer too much but lately things have happened where I gotta admit, I gotta thank the sargent major up there. He's looked out for me and now I'm hoping.....praying that he looks out for Carmen and her family on this one. Cancer is no joke. Don't know for sure if it is or not. Still though, a little prayer and outright down-on-my-knees is needed right here.

"C'mon Sarge.....get her through this one. It's your call,man. She's too valuable and has alot of life left in her. Let her spend some more time with her family...amen....er...uh...Semper Fi."