badger1997

Don't you think it might have been important to at least question them to see what they knew and whether they could have provided some information that would have helped lead us more quickly to Osama? It's not so much that they needed to be jailed, but that they were allowed to fly around this country and out of this country while everybody else was grounded without even being asked a few questions about their relative who just had killed a whole bunch of Americans. That's what upsets me.

scott shelton

From Jeffrey Wells...

"Postscript: A Miramax publicist said the emphasis in Moore's film on the Bush-Saudi-bin Laden connection isn't as strong as I've indicated in my descriptions of it. The section of the film covering this aspect "only runs about 15 minutes," she said. 'The film really is an overview of foreign policy since 9.11.'"

resinrats

Who knows, maybe they were questioned. The CIA or FBI isn't going to tell the public if they did or not.

A few reasons why they might have been alowed to leave:
1) They were questioned and it was determined they didn't know any useful info or they gave the info they were asked to give and the authorities were satisfied.

2) Maybe they were told to leave for their own safety. Being in the mastermind's family right after made them targets of anyone angry for revenge. You can't tell me that if the public knew Bin Ladin's family was in the US, there wouldn't have been violence and the family members killed just because they were relatives.

PopcornTreeCt

Agreed. I think it was for the family's safety. Which I think makes the administration come across more positively than Michael Moore would like you to think.

Achtung

There were all questioned extensively in the space of a few hours and it was determined that none of them knew anything about his plots or whereabouts? Damn that must have been some efficient interrogation.

Additionally, to protect someone, you don't need them to leave the country. You need to place them in a secure area.

eXcentris

Blah... I've read the book already...

Neeb

Questioned in the space of a few hours? When it has taken over two years to "question" a punk like Jose Padilla, who did nothing beyond shoot his mouth off and visit the wrong websites.


So good to know the US Government was concerned for the safety of the bin Laden family in the immediate aftermath of attacks which killed 3000 people.

A few facts to chew on (and will no doubt be used by Michael Moore)...

1. One of Shrub's early business disasters was a company called Arbusto which flopped in the late 1980s. He was bailed out by a group of investors including brother to Osama Bin Laden, Salim bin Laden.

2. George Bush Senior sits on the Board of Directors of something called the Carlyle Group along with the aforementioned Salim and a handful of other very powerful members of Saudi society.

I'm not making this up.

www.gregpalast.com if you don't believe me.

To my knowledge, the Bush family has NEVER denied its connections to the Saudis and bin Ladens.

Peep

I think the government did the right thing. If somebody was going to blow up a planeful of people, make it so that all of the planes only contained Saudis - not Americans.

purplechoe

Yes, because the guy doesn't lick the asses of liberals or conservatives. If you actually watch his show, you will realize that the guy is one of the most non partisan anchors on TV. Even the Republicans were calling him a trader because he was being very critical of Rumsfeld.

No truth gets in the way of liberal agenda. It almost seems like a new religion to me, they try to scare people with nothing to back up their claims. I know I used to be a dumb liberal, but I have grown. I used to be a conspiracy theory guy myself, till I realized just how nutty and partisan these guys were. Thery are definitely not interested in the truth, just to promote their agenda.

PS. I jumped off of the liberal band wagon not because I liked what the conservative movement had to offer, but because I was ashamed of what most of my liberal friends stood for.

Chrisedge

You could switch Lib and Con, and that would fit me. And my options.

purplechoe

So, that common sense thing wasn't working for you? You just had to search your feelings on the issue.

But the reason I hate liberals is because they're out of power so they have waged a war on conservatives. They're the one at the moment that are spewing out the most garbage, which might reverse in the next election and I might be on the liberal side. Right now, I'm following common sense, not my feelings.

purplechoe

This just poped into my head. Can you tell who the conservative consiracy theory guys are, since it's the same thing just reverse Lib/ Con?

Chrisedge

Ok, here is how I would have wrote it:

No truth gets in the way of conservative agenda. It almost seems like a new religion to me, they try to scare people with nothing to back up their claims. I know I used to be a conservative, but I have grown and I realized just how nutty and partisan these guys were. Thery are definitely not interested in the truth, just to promote their agenda.

PS. I jumped off of the conservative band wagon because I realized that the conservatives did nothing for me, as a middle american, and did even less for lower income america.

purplechoe

in response to you answer, I would like for you to read this column, it is a little long though

http://www.conservativepunk.com/cpcolumns.htm

purplechoe

It seems like you're talking about politicians, I'm mostly talking about activists, but than again you're just gonna stick the same thing to them. Now if you're gonna tell me that conservative activists are running amok like liberals, can you point me towards some info? Is there anyone spewing garbage like Ted Kennedy or Michael Moore, on the conservatice side that conservatives actually respect? What realy ticks me off is that Michael Moore gets so much praise but still hasn't proved anything, just has his theories.

Edited to add - if you really want to see some wacko liberal activists, just rent or buy Penn & Tellers Bullshit! and watch the episode about Green Peace.

drjay

Mr. Lowrey (heh, I love Brazil), you seem to be very into debunking things that people in the public eye say (or in this case, haven't said yet). Perhaps a thread about how dozens of the things Bush has stated as fact [and have subsequently been shown 100% false] is in order? In any case, I'm not too sure this thread belongs in the Movie Talk forum...

NEUMANN

Moore needs to tell a lot more lies if he ever wants to catch up to Bush

badger1997

Wow....just wow. Even with the smiley face or meant as a joke, this comment just makes me . I guess if your Saudi your life doesn't really matter that much, huh?

Caliking

im with you purple!

purplechoe

Cool, did you know that Johnny Ramone was a life long conservative? Who would have thought? - http://www.washingtontimes.com/enter...5521-1823r.htm



Here's a little more info about how Bush lied , enjoy:

"Saddam's goal ... is to achieve the lifting of U.N. sanctions while retaining and enhancing Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs. We cannot, we must not and we will not let him succeed." -- Madeline Albright, 1998

"The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state with weapons of mass destruction, ready to use them or provide them to terrorists. If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow." -- Bill Clinton in 1998

"Iraq is not the only nation in the world to possess weapons of mass destruction, but it is the only nation with a leader who has used them against his own people." -- Tom Daschle in 1998

"Even today, Iraq is not nearly disarmed. Based on highly credible intelligence, UNSCOM [the U.N. weapons inspectors] suspects that Iraq still has biological agents like anthrax, botulinum toxin, and clostridium perfringens in sufficient quantity to fill several dozen bombs and ballistic missile warheads, as well as the means to continue manufacturing these deadly agents. Iraq probably retains several tons of the highly toxic VX substance, as well as sarin nerve gas and mustard gas. This agent is stored in artillery shells, bombs, and ballistic missile warheads. And Iraq retains significant dual-use industrial infrastructure that can be used to rapidly reconstitute large-scale chemical weapons production." -- Ex-Un Weapons Inspector Scott Ritter in 1998

"[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs." -- From a letter signed by Joe Lieberman, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara A. Milulski, Tom Daschle, & John Kerry among others on October 9, 1998

"This December will mark three years since United Nations inspectors last visited Iraq. There is no doubt that since that time, Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to refine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer- range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies." -- From a December 6, 2001 letter signed by Bob Graham, Joe Lieberman, Harold Ford, & Tom Lantos among others

"Iraq made commitments after the Gulf War to completely dismantle all weapons of mass destruction, and unfortunately, Iraq has not lived up to its agreement." -- Barbara Boxer, November 8, 2002

"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retained some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capability. Intelligence reports also indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons, but has not yet achieved nuclear capability." -- Robert Byrd, October 2002

"What is at stake is how to answer the potential threat Iraq represents with the risk of proliferation of WMD. Baghdad's regime did use such weapons in the past. Today, a number of evidences may lead to think that, over the past four years, in the absence of international inspectors, this country has continued armament programs." -- Jacques Chirac, October 16, 2002

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members, though there is apparently no evidence of his involvement in the terrible events of September 11, 2001. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed in that endeavor, he could alter the political and security landscape of the Middle East, which as we know all too well affects American security." -- Hillary Clinton, October 10, 2002

"I am absolutely convinced that there are weapons...I saw evidence back in 1998 when we would see the inspectors being barred from gaining entry into a warehouse for three hours with trucks rolling up and then moving those trucks out." -- Clinton's Secretary of Defense William Cohen in April of 2003

"Saddam Hussein's regime represents a grave threat to America and our allies, including our vital ally, Israel. For more than two decades, Saddam Hussein has sought weapons of mass destruction through every available means. We know that he has chemical and biological weapons. He has already used them against his neighbors and his own people, and is trying to build more. We know that he is doing everything he can to build nuclear weapons, and we know that each day he gets closer to achieving that goal." -- John Edwards, Oct 10, 2002

"I share the administration's goals in dealing with Iraq and its weapons of mass destruction." -- Dick Gephardt in September of 2002

"Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of the Persian Gulf and we should organize an international coalition to eliminate his access to weapons of mass destruction. Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to completely deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power." -- Al Gore, 2002

"We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction." -- Bob Graham, December 2002

"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction." -- Ted Kennedy, September 27, 2002

"I will be voting to give the president of the United States the authority to use force - if necessary - to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security." -- John F. Kerry, Oct 2002

"We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandates of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them." -- Carl Levin, Sept 19, 2002

"Over the years, Iraq has worked to develop nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. During 1991 - 1994, despite Iraq's denials, U.N. inspectors discovered and dismantled a large network of nuclear facilities that Iraq was using to develop nuclear weapons. Various reports indicate that Iraq is still actively pursuing nuclear weapons capability. There is no reason to think otherwise. Beyond nuclear weapons, Iraq has actively pursued biological and chemical weapons.U.N. inspectors have said that Iraq's claims about biological weapons is neither credible nor verifiable. In 1986, Iraq used chemical weapons against Iran, and later, against its own Kurdish population. While weapons inspections have been successful in the past, there have been no inspections since the end of 1998. There can be no doubt that Iraq has continued to pursue its goal of obtaining weapons of mass destruction." -- Patty Murray, October 9, 2002

"As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am keenly aware that the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons is an issue of grave importance to all nations. Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process." -- Nancy Pelosi, December 16, 1998

"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years. And that may happen sooner if he can obtain access to enriched uranium from foreign sources -- something that is not that difficult in the current world. We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction." -- John Rockefeller, Oct 10, 2002

"Saddam’s existing biological and chemical weapons capabilities pose a very real threat to America, now. Saddam has used chemical weapons before, both against Iraq’s enemies and against his own people. He is working to develop delivery systems like missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles that could bring these deadly weapons against U.S. forces and U.S. facilities in the Middle East." -- John Rockefeller, Oct 10, 2002

"We have got to force [Iraq] to comply [with their own agreements and with international law]." -- Tom Daschle, 1998

"Whether one agrees or disagrees with the Administration’s policy towards Iraq, I don’t think there can be any question about Saddam’s conduct. He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do. He lies and cheats; he snubs the mandate and authority of international weapons inspectors; and he games the system to keep buying time against enforcement of the just and legitimate demands of the United Nations, the Security Council, the United States and our allies. Those are simply the facts." -- Henry Waxman, Oct 10, 2002

"There has never been an embargo against food and medicine. It's just that Hussein has just not chosen to spend his money on that. Instead, he has chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies." -- Madeline Albright

"The United Nations has determined that Saddam should not possess chemical or biological or nuclear weapons, and what we have is the obligation to carry out the U.N. declaration." -- William Cohen

"[The UN inspection team] is ineffectual; it is not able to do its job by its own judgment.... It doesn't provide much deterrence against WMD activity."-- Clinton National Security Adviser Sandy Berger

"For the United States and Britain, an Iraq equipped with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons under the leadership of Saddam Hussein is a threat that almost goes without description.... France, on the other hand, has long established economic and political relationships within the Arab world, and has had a different approach."-- John Kerry

"This is not a time free from peril, especially as a result of the reckless acts of outlaw nations and an unholy axis of terrorists, drug traffickers and organized international criminals. We have to defend our future from these predators of the 21st century."-- Bill Clinton

"I don't [feel I was misled about WMD and Iraq]. I asked very direct questions of the top people in the C.I.A., and people who had served in the Clinton administration. They said they believed that Saddam Hussein either had weapons or had the components of weapons or ability to quickly make weapons of mass destruction. What we're worried about is an A-bomb in a Ryder truck in New York and Washington and St. Louis. It cannot happen. We have to prevent it from happening. And it was on that basis that I voted to do this." -- Richard Gephardt, Nov 2, 2003

"I supported the resolution [to go to war with Iraq if Bush saw fit] because I gained information from the CIA and other former Clinton security officials that Iraq either had weapons or components of weapons of mass destruction." Richard Gephardt, Nov 3, 2003

Terrell

I'm no fan of Bush, but I despise Michael Moore. 99% of the crap that comes out of his mouth is pulled straight from his ass. I hate extremists, both conservative and liberal.

Rivero

LOL, hey Mike....I've got some ocean-view property in Arizona I'd like to sell you.

Jason

Sean ****ing Hannity.

Daily on his radio indoctrination show, he tells America that if george w bush isn't reelected, America will cease to exist. He says directly that the very future of this nation is in doubt if John Kerry becomes president.

Recently (Friday), he even equated the criticism of president bush with the sacrifice of our troops in the middle east, saying that george bush has effectively laid down his life to serve his country as surely as those who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan have.

I'm not even going to get started on Ann Coulter.

DAC

I can't believe nobody has said this yet. Michael Moore is a moron!

al_bundy

And what evidence is there that the bin laden family are in any way connected to osama except through family ties? Clinton has a brother who is a druggie and a scamster, but it doesn't make him one.