Dean thinks bin Laden problem is one of law enforcement, not a war on terror

AndrewR

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,157
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I guess the airline attacks were just a few more felonies on his record. I suppose we should not have attacked Japanese forces in WWII before we put one of their Navy pilots on trial.

Dean: Bin Laden guilt best determined by jury
Friday, December 26, 2003 Posted: 6:25 PM EST (2325 GMT)

(CNN)
-- Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean will not pronounce Osama bin Laden guilty before a trial, he said in an interview published Friday.

New Hampshire's Concord Monitor reported that Dean said he would not state his preference on a punishment for bin Laden before the al Qaeda leader was captured and put before a jury.

"I've resisted pronouncing a sentence before guilt is found," Dean said in the interview. "I will have this old-fashioned notion that even with people like Osama, who is very likely to be found guilty, we should do our best not to, in positions of executive power, not to prejudge jury trials."

Dean added he is certain most Americans agree with that sentiment.

Later, Dean released a statement clarifying, "I share the outrage of all Americans. Osama bin Laden has admitted that he is responsible for killing 3,000 Americans as well as scores of men, women and children around the world. This is the exactly the kind of case that the death penalty is meant for.

"When we capture Osama bin Laden, he will be brought to justice and treated in the same manner that President Bush is recommending for Saddam Hussein."

The interview covered a number of foreign affairs topics. Dean held fast to his belief that the capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein made America no safer.

"My opponents spent the week criticizing me for that, which I think was to their detriment" since the federal government has just increased the terror alert level to orange, indicating an elevated risk of an attack, Dean told the paper.

Dean also said he would continue noting he was the only "major" candidate to oppose the war. He said even with that stance, he could win over those who supported the war "by going after (President Bush) on terrorism, where he's really weak."

 

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
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Even though Dean didn't actually say terrorism is a law enforcement problem, it really is. At this point, no government anywhere will actively support radical islamic terrorists, and will do their best to suppress them. Any other approach would be gross stupidity. Wars are fought between nations, not between a nation and a terrorist organization that exists outside their borders. It's a nice catchphrase, nothing more.

The whole situation in Afghanistan with obl arose because of a law enforcement problem- the Taliban couldn't control him because they didn't really control the whole country in a way we'd even recognize. The Karzai govt doesn't, either, and the beloved patriot govt has broad expanses of territory outside their actual control. These areas are a kind of no-man's land where local cheiftains hold sway... Neither govt has the strength or support to actually enforce the law in these areas. Just the way it is... they depend on military reprisals to keep the locals in line, there isn't any actual police force in these places. The presence of american troops makes reprisal more likely, not necessarily more effective.

I'm confident that the Taliban were very unhappy with obl after the WTC attacks, and that they would have gladly turned said perp over to the US, if it had been within their power to do so. They couldn't- their country's internal politics, warlord-centric military and law enforcement simply didn't have the strength to do it. That's where the US military came in, and even that hasn't done the job. This kind of terror will only abate when the whole globe actually has effective law enforcement and international cooperation between such agencies. Until that happens, cross border terrorism will never be eradicated.
 

SViscusi

Golden Member
Apr 12, 2000
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Nowhere in the piece does he say that Bin Laden is a law enforcement problem or that he is not part of the War on Terror, where are you pulling that from?

 

MonstaThrilla

Golden Member
Sep 16, 2000
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Originally posted by: SViscusi
Nowhere in the piece does he say that Bin Laden is a law enforcement problem or that he is not part of the War on Terror, where are you pulling that from?

His ass. :D
 

Hayabusa Rider

Admin Emeritus & Elite Member
Jan 26, 2000
50,879
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I suppose the fact that Dean is acting rationally in this context, not using "bring it on" mentality that irks some in the Bush camp.

If you want to go shoot people without trial, go to Africa or join a drug cartel in South America. There those who want to act the animal they protest can be given all the latitude they desire.


Clue-
Dean is running to be his party's presidential candidate. If he wins that, then he will be running for the office itself. If he wins that, then he will need to be keenly aware of how his words and actions affect others (hopefully doing a better job at it than his predicessor).

Presidents and candidates ought NOT to pronounce judgement before the fact due to the nature of their position. They do not have the luxury of being some prick in some computer forum. They have LESS freedom to express what they think in advance than you or I, at least if they have half a brain.


BTW, I could shoot Bin Laden, then lie down and sleep quite peacefully. However I can say this as I am not running for the Presidency. My judgements then I would have to withhold as part of the responsible discharge of the office.
 

heartsurgeon

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2001
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history repeating itself..most of you kids probably don't even know how wrong the Democrat party can be....

1984

Reagan (R)..525 electoral college votes, wins in 49 states
Mondale(D)....13 electoral college votes, wins in Minnesota (home state), and District of Columbia

Vermont has only 3 electoral college votes....
Dean could beat Mondale's record!