Richard Clarke has a new book coming out - "Your Government Failed You"

[housewolf]

don't give up the fight:
Richard Clarke, the Cassandra of counterterrorism, the man behind the unheeded Delenda plan to destroy al-Qaeda before 9/11, has a new book coming out. It's called Your Government Failed You, after his famous apology to the families of 9/11 victims before the 9/11 Commission. I was in the press box at the hearing when Clarke said those words, and it was like an emotional dam bursting. The families -- so angry, so traumatized, and feeling so disrespected -- stood up and applauded him. Clarke remains the only U.S. official ever to apologize for 9/11.

Clarke's latest book is another well-informed and scathing attack on the conduct of the so-called Global War On Terrorism. An essay based on its thesis is found in one of the best sources for terrorism information around, the CTC Sentinel, published by the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. In a nutshell: make counterterrorism a full-spectrum fight against al-Qaeda across both civilian and military agencies of the U.S. government; get out of Iraq right now; break up the Department of Homeland Security. A taste:

To defeat the al-Qa'ida movement, it must be recognized as a cancer infecting only a small percentage of the greater body of peace-loving Muslims worldwide. While eliminating the cancer is our end objective, our more immediate goal is to keep it from spreading. Yet many of our actions aimed at capturing and killing terrorists have alienated wide swathes of the Muslim world. In short, what we have done to eliminate the cancer has served to spread it. The most important counterterrorism tools are law enforcement, intelligence and ideology. When military action is called for, we must act swiftly and decisively, but in the context of defeating al-Qa'ida, smart bombs, cruise missiles and SEAL teams must be applied like a surgeon's scalpel to prevent a counterproductive reaction among people affected by the collateral damage.

But that's no fun. Let's go waterboarding!
--spencerackerman

from http://toohotfortnr.blogspot.com/2008/02/dont-give-up-fight.html

[marlakay]

1. I like Richard Clarke

It was reading his book about 9-11 that turned me from just a voting person to a activist years ago.

And by the way he is one of Obama's advisors!

[Kira]

2. Is he really one of his advisors?

I would like to see him in the new administration. I really like him. I support Hillary, but at least that would be something to look forward to.

[blm]

12. Obama has three top advisors on terrorism - Clarke, Hart (Hart-Rudman Report)

and Kerry (IranContra, BCCI).

He also has Anthony Lake, Susan Rice, Lawrence Korb and Gen Anthony Zinni.

[jazzjunkysue]

8. Exactly. He got me through 2000 and 2004. I was so depressed

about both elections until I read his book and realized that americans aren't this stupid. These 2 elections, along with Lewinsky, were created by the neocons to deliver Iraq to the oil companies.

When I knew why america had become brainless sheep, it was easier to accept.

Now, most people have awakened to the nightmare. But at the time, his was the only voice of reason.

I'll be pushing this book on everyone I know.

[Amonester]

3. "...what we have done to eliminate the cancer has served to spread it."

That's because it maximizes the profits for the cheney/bush's junta (at We The People's expense).

kudo's to Clarke for this

[CJCRANE]

6. More

"cannon fodder units" to feed into the BFEE war machine.

Shows the difference between the Dems and the Neocons. The neocons are part of the problem.

[ThomWV]

4. His first book was really well written - I was very much suprised

The man is an outstanding writer, beyond the importantce of the substance of his work. He is a real pleasure to read.

[EFerrari]

13. First rate mind and attached to a public servant.

That doesn't happen every day.

[lapfog_1]

5. Richard Clarke is one of the very best in government service

and, I believe, the only one to EVER apologize to the families of the 9/11 victims. And take responsibility. Not that he had anything to apologize for!

[housewolf]

7. You're right, he's the only to have apologized

He told everyone "Your government failed you", and that's the name of his new book, too.

Can't wait to read what he has to say.

[underpants]

10. If there was any justice in this world the headlines the next day would have read

Bush re-election now out of the question


But of course the MSM gave it 10 seconds and then acted like it never happened. That was an incredible moment in our history.

[lapfog_1]

11. I think this is a quote

it's from memory...

While testifying before the 9/11 commission, Richard Clarke first turned to face the families of the 9/11 victims...

He said "... Your government failed you... and I failed you... you have my deepest sympathy and my apology..."

It's one of the few times that I've cried about 9/11. I believe many of the family members in attendance were crying too.

[ladjf]

9. We really didn't need Richard Clarke or anyone else to let us

know that the Govt. has failed us in EVERY way. There is not one branch of the government that is free of the prevailing Republican filth, greed and stupidity.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

14. IOW they are international criminals who should NOT be tied to entire nations.

No shit. Most of us have been advocating that position since this whole, "War on Terror" started. OF COURSE, waging war and occupying entire nations that have criminal elements (not unlike our own) would lead to a perception of mass punishment, colonization, imperialism, injustice and hatred. The Bush administration made the matter far FAR worse (and, I believe, did so ON PURPOSE).

I salute Mr. Clarke for stating the truth in a game of deception by our own government and its political and corporate constituents.

[RamboLiberal]

15. Look forward to it - btw I enjoyed his fictional books as well

Listened to them on Audio CD last year while driving. Made the miles go by quicker.

I recommend The Scorpion's Gate and Breakpoint.