Lileks muses:
One thought after hearing much of the 9/11 committee testimony. Eventually the 1993 bombing of the WTC was revealed as an act of Islamicist terrorism. Let’s imagine the effect of the following scenario: President William J. Clinton invites the Saudi ambassador to the White House. Ushers him into a room with several TV monitors, clicks the remotes. There are four TV s with labels: Baghdad, Tehran, Damascus, Riyadh. President Clinton turns on the first three monitors, and as he’s talking with the ambassador the monitors light up with huge explosions. Government buildings and leadership HQ s evaporate. The President turns to the Saudi ambassador and says “this here is just a taste. Now you need to stop it, and stop it now.” The Riyadh monitor remains blank. The President sets out terms and conditions for the cessation of all terrorist activities against the United States, and takes his sweet time – because the dark monitor is doing all the talking.
I’ve been vocally advocating something like this since 9/11 sans explosions.
What I envisioned was a U. S.-hosted meeting of the Arab League. Attendance would be mandatory. Each attendee would receive a door prize: a bright, shiny, to-do list with built-in ultimatum.
Why wasn’t something like this done? Some might say it was. I doubt it. The brinksmanship of the Saudis and Syrians strongly suggests that it wasn’t.
The theatrical impresario David Belasco reputedly had a sign on his desk: “If you can’t write your idea on the back of your business card, you don’t have a clear idea.” I’m not sure that the Bush Administration has a clear idea on conducting the War on Terror. And I’m sure that Mr. Kerry doesn’t.
Dave –
In your little fantasy about issuing ultimatums at a meeting with all Arab League members, what would you do if they gave a unified answer, “Hell, no!”? Would you nuke ’em?
Don
Comment:
A very good musing. Let’s continue it:
The Saudi Ambassador waves his hand at the monitors. They all go blank for a moment. Then, three of the monitors show pictures of American streets with cars parked all over the streets. There’s no gasoline to operate them.
The fourth monitor shows pictures of honest, hard-working Americans rioting in the streets.
An all-too-possible scenario, and that’s why American Presidents since T. Roosevelt have kissed the Saudi’s royal behinds.
ANWAR isn’t such a bad idea. Fuel cell research is an even better idea.
Doug