Re: Military respones, when appropriate?

["A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@attorneyross.com>]

On 16 Sep 2001, at 13:06, Paul Hopfgarten wrote:

> I get the distict feeling from some on this list that there is NO
> CURCUMSTANCE in which a military response is appropriate. I'd ask Ms Halper
> and Mr Ross to please identify those circumstances when a military response
> IS appropriate.

I didn't say it wasn't appropriate.  I just think that military action should 
be part of a concerted long-term strategy for disrupting the terrorist 
network, rather than a tit-for-tat hit.  Clinton's strikes against Afganistan 
and Sudan accomplished absolutely nothing except make people feel 
good.  I'm willing, right now, to give President Bush the benefit of the 
doubt.  He has some pretty experienced hands there doing planning.  
Dick Cheny, especially, seems to have a really good handle on these 
things.  But before today's interview shows, I really didn't see the kind of 
serious planning that I think will be needed.  

For example, I think that ground troops in Afganistan would be a serious 
mistake, as the Soviets already found out.  But I agree with the people 
on TV today who said that it's not a good idea to take anything off the 
table.  I thought Clinton made a big mistake in ruling out ground troops 
in Kosovo.


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 A. Joseph Ross, J.D.                           617.367.0468
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