Snow: 'We haven't found bin-Laden because al-Qaeda has been degraded'

[bigtree]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/09/20060910-1.html


Q Without getting terribly (inaudible), The Post story says that the President recently asked the CIA to increase his efforts searching for bin Laden. Is that an accurate --

MR. SNOW: It's very dangerous to start talking about what happens in the intelligence community and what happens when you're trying to pursue national security. I'll simply repeat what I said before, because, as you know, Ann, we neither confirm nor deny such reports. But we are working as vigorously as possible to go after bin Laden, and so are other governments -- this is not simply a United States effort; there are a variety of parties involved and all want to get him.

One of the things I can say is that bin Laden is harder to find these days because he, in fact, does not feel at liberty to move about, he does not feel at liberty to use electronic means of communications. In many ways, the senior leadership of al Qaeda has been degraded. And under such circumstances, somebody leaves fewer clues. But the United States and allies are continuing to pursue bin Laden and have never ceased doing so.

Q Harder to find than when, since we haven't found him?

MR. SNOW: Well, let me put it this way. There have been clues in the past, for instance, based on electronic communications, as you know -- satellite telephones -- they have changed the way in which they've done a number of things -- and I won't go into that, but they have changed their methods of operation in response to the fact that they don't want to be found out. It's just tougher. They've moved to more primitive means of communication and they've gone to ground.

Q It sort of sounds like since he's harder to find is a sign of our success.

MR. SNOW: Well, in some ways, it is. I mean, if bin Laden was thoroughly successful, he'd be sitting on a throne conducting press conferences or issuing fatwas in full view of everyone -- and he is not doing so.


moran

[civildisoBDence]

1. Paging George Orwell, paging George Orwell

Your doublespeak is being plagiarized by Tony Snowjob.

I'll forgive a (presidential) blowjob over a snowjob any day.

Newsprism

[EFerrari]

2. LOL! They don't know which way to have it!

:rofl:

[magellan]

3. Why can't the Republicans keep their story straight

Are they actively pursuing bin Laden or did they call off the hunt? Is bin Laden on Bush**'s most wanted list or is he not a priority? Are al Qaeda degraded or are they on the front in the War On Terror in Iraq?

The answers seem to be at the political convenience of the speaker at any given moment.

[Rex]

4. How does Snowman know how OBL feels about things?

FBI? Maybe want to question Snowman? How does he know?

[StraightDope]

5. Nice try, asshole!

Quit sellin' it, because America ain't buying it anymore!

[Solly Mack]

6. Odd..in Shrub's speech he says bin Laden and friends use the internet

so, uh, is the internet the "more primitive means of communication" Snow is speaking of?

"Bush said that al Qaeda has been weakened, with its leaders finding it harder to operate freely, move money or communicate with operatives. But, he said the terrorist network has adapted to U.S. defenses by increasingly using the Internet to spread propaganda, recruit new terrorists and conduct training. In addition, the movement has become more dispersed, with local cells more self-directed and responsible for more attacks."

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/09/05/bush.terrorism.ap/index.html

[Generic Brad]

7. Well, it is a series of tubes

That sounds pretty simple to me.

[Solly Mack]

9. LMAO..that must be it

[bigtree]

11. they can't choose between lies

[bvar22]

8. I mean,...

...I mean, if George Bush was thoroughly successful, he'd be sitting on a throne conducting press conferences or issuing fatwas in full view of everyone -- and he is not doing so.

[RandiRhodesArchives]

10. Hey Crony McSnowjob!

If al CIA-duh is so degraded, wouldn't that make it FAR eaiser to find Osama?! DUH!
Oh my bad! I forgot, facts and logic, and Republican, are mutually EXCLUSIVE!

R to the R to the A in the hizzowz!

[Julius Civitatus]

12. These f*ckers would spin anything

I mean, the leaps of logic that it takes to get that statement...

My brain hurts!!!!

[Liberal Veteran]

13. I thought al Qaeda was making regular calls to US citizens?

And that's why Bush had to break the law and wiretap Americans without a court order.

[Supersedeas]

14. was that a sitting on the throne strawman that Snowjob just massaged??

[ProfessorGAC]

15. Well, Then Who Is It That We're Still Threatened By?

Either there is still a threat, or there isn't. So, if there is no longer a credible threat, i guess we can stand down at the airports, forget about the immigration thing and border fences, demolish the bases in Iraq, etc.

Nothing to fear anymore, huh Tony?

What a tool!
The Professor

[raysr]

16. "Well, see, heh, heh, we

made a deal with him, heh, heh, Karl let him go as long as he wouldn't hit the US anymore while I was preznit! Heh, heh, then if the dems win in '08, heh, heh, they'll have to start the draft to find him after another attack, heh, heh, and I'll be clear of it!"

[wisteria]

17. No, I think it just appears he has out-smarted this administration or

this administration really doesn't want to capture or kill him.

[Javaman]

18. 1943...time warp, moron* as prez during WWII...

Reporter: So Mr. President, how is the hunt for Hitler going?

moron*: well, you know, after invading Africa and now we are on to Italy and we are now striking back at the Japanese war machine, I really don't think much about him anymore...

Reporter: Whaaaa??

moron*: Well, you know, he's got his hands tied up in Russia and his battle of Britain was just a failure...

Reporter: But Mr. President, he declared war on us. His African troops were kicking our ass in North Africa up until recently. He's torpedoing our troop and supply ships in the north atlantic, how can you not think about him????

moron*: Well, when I said they only thing you have to fear was fear itself, I was just kidding. And as far as those service men being torpedoed, they knew what they were getting into...

Reporter: they were drafted sir...

moron*: Well, you go to war with the military you got...

Reporter: what the heck is that supposed to mean?

moron*: you see, it's all about the message we are trying to send, we have to fight them over there so we don't have to fight them over here...

Reporter: there are German subs in NY harbor...

moron*: Well, what have they done since then? Nothing, that's what. It's all about...the people over there are evil doers...they mean to do us harm...we have to fear the nazi's, we can't let them get the best of us...

Reporter: you just contradicted yourself...

moron*: What?

Reporter: so when do you think you will get Hitler?

moron*: Who?