They let it happen.

They didn't know what was going to happen. They couldn't comprehend the potential scope and they had no concept that what would happen might bring the country to the verge of financial collapse. But they let it happen. They thought a little something to spark national uproar was just what they needed.

Ever wonder why, a little while ago, Bush used the weird construct "If I had known Al-Queda was going to use airplanes to knock down the WTC I would have moved heaven and earth to stop them"?. What, only that would push him into action? But something less dramatic wouldn't?

I have four reasons for this theory:

1. Bush's documented statement that the way to get things done as president is to preside over a little war with a little country that would give him carte-blanche at home.

2. The PNAC document authored by the "them" of "they" that acknowledged the need for a "Pearl Harbor" moment to get their agenda enacted (and to see their long-standing desire to topple Iraq come to fruition).

3. Immediately after 9/11, everything significant was known about the participants - who they were, where they lived, what they'd been doing
in flight schools and strip joints. There was almost no period of investigation before a torrent of specific information, not speculation, started to stream out. Compare that to aftermath of the Oklahoma City or the first WTC bombing.

4. The "Patriot Act" was passed the following month. It contained 342 pages with dozens upon dozens of line specific amendments to the provisions of existing laws. I've worked in Government for over 31 years and in my experience a document of that scope and depth would have to been sitting on the shelf waiting. It could not possibly have been prepared in a month's time.

I might be crazy but I think it stinks to high heaven of conscious planning and advanced preparation.

Whoever comes next is just screwed, unless there's a genius with the moral character of a saint in the wings, and I haven't seen him/her.

It's like David Lee Roth following Howard Stern - it's preordained the next one in office will crash and burn. Probably aggravate the abuse of power too, trying to hang on.

Besides, people can't keep secrets. The chance of a secret being kept is inversely related to its importance, raised to the power of the number of folks who know it.

It is a good theory if one does not examine it very closely.

Iraq needed some attention. Their obligation was to deliver proof( via cooperation ) that they had indeed disarmed. That there was doubt in sustainable measure was quite enough proof to demand some action.

However, only something resembling the Truth was employed to make the case for invasion. It appears that the whole truth, and nothing but the truth was not going to get that band of Liars an apathetic and ignorant consituency elected what it wanted...and here we are now, looking around with only ourselves to blame.

If we can't throw the rascals out, it is indeed our own fault.
cheers,
Douglas