“It was during a press conference on Sept. 16 [2001], in response to a question about homeland security efforts infringing on civil rights, that [President] Bush first used the telltale word ‘crusade’ in public. ‘This is a new kind of–a new kind of evil,’ he said. ‘And we understand. And the American people are beginning […]
Category: quotes
9/15/2001
According to a March 21, 2004, interview on 60 Minutes, counterterrorism czar Richard Clarke said: “In the days after 9/11 [2001], [President Bush] pushed him to tie Iraq to the attacks: ‘The president dragged me into a room with a couple of other people, shut the door, and said, *I want you to find whether […]
9/15/2001
At a Cabinet meeting at Camp David on September 15, 2001, Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz suggested toppling Saddam Hussein’s regime. Vice President Dick Cheney “was skeptical, saying that by going after Saddam ‘we lose our rightful place as good guy.’ ” – Todd S. Purdum and The New York Times Staff, A Time […]
9/15/2001
Regarding a meeting at Camp David on September 15, 2001, President Bush said: ” ‘I sat down with my national security team to discuss the response [to the 9/11 attacks], and the subject of Iraq came up… And I said as plainly as I possibly could: *We’ll focus on Afghanistan. That’s where we’ll focus.* ‘ […]
9/15/2001
“Almost immediately after September 11, 2001…for the first time in its history, the United States sanctioned government officials to physically and psychologically torment U.S.-held captives, making torture the official law of the land in all but name.” [The 15th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.] – Jane Mayer, The Dark Side, Pages […]
9/15/2001
President Bush met with members of the national security team at Camp David on September 15, 2001, to discuss the nation’s response to the terrorist attacks. “Dealing with Iraq would show a major commitment to antiterrorism,’ [Secretary of Defense] Donald Rumsfeld said. [Secretary of State] Colin [Powell] cautioned against it. ‘Going after Iraq now would […]
9/15/2001
“The [congressional] resolution [supporting President Bush’s call to action following 9/11] states: ‘That the president is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to […]
9/15/2001
In war council meetings on September 15-16, 2001, Director of Central Intelligence George “Tenet described a plan for collecting intelligence and mounting covert operations. He proposed inserting CIA teams into Afghanistan to work with Afghan warlords who would join the fight against al Qaeda. These CIA teams would act jointly with the military’s Special Operations […]
9/15/2001
“Several weeks ago [at a principal’s meeting on September 15, 2001], [President] Mr Bush told aides: ‘At some point, we may be the only ones left [in the coalition fighting terrorism]. That’s okay with me. We are America.’ Coalitions are all very well, he was saying, but if necessary the United States was powerful enough […]
9/15/2001
“[T]he United States has demanded that Pakistan place the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan under what would amount to immediate siege, cutting off fuel (the Taliban’s sole supply), denying use of Pakistani banks (crucial to what is left of the Afghan economy) and halting all other forms of support.” – John F. Burns, “U.S. Demands Air […]