Great Point from Professor Smooth & Debonair

Professor Juan Cole, as we surely all know by now is pretty much EXAMPLE A of why the internet is a good thing [the other being all the available porn of course].

For the price of exactly zero, he provides us with regular insights into his field of expertise. If Professor Cole were called as an "expert" in a trial he'd be charging us hundreds an hour [just like Jenna Jameson for her specialty] but thanks to the internet he informs us for free.

OK, that last paragraph was to praise Professor Juan Cole, not to suggest he is the equivalent of a porn star (hey, Juan ...are they real?). High Brow vs. Low Brow [Attaturk is a schizophrenic, if simple, man].

Today Professor Cole [and not Jenna Jameson] informs us of this point from the 9/11 Commission, that point is BILL CLINTON tried and fate intervened cruelly.

As for the Clinton administration, let me say one thing in its defense. Clinton had worked out a deal with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in summer of 1999 that would have allowed the US to send a Special Ops team in after Bin Laden in Qandahar, based from Pakistan. I presume you need the Pakistan base for rescue operations in case anything went wrong. You also need Pakistani air space. The plan was all set and could have succeeded.

But in fall of 1999, Gen. Pervez Musharraf made a coup against Nawaz Sharif. The Pakistani army was rife with elements protective of the Taliban, and the new military government reneged on the deal. Musharraf told Clinton he couldn't use Pakistani soil or air space to send the team in against Bin Laden.

Look at a map and you try to figure out how, in fall of 1999, you could possibly pull off such an operation without Pakistani facilities. Of course, you could just go in by main force. But for those of you tempted in that direction, please look up Carter's Tabas operation. It should be easily googled.

Clinton tried, and tried hard. The gods weren't with us on that one.

So, the coming of a military despot Musharraf foiled Clinton's efforts. This same event, a military coup was praised by the Chimp when he was still a candidate.

The new Pakistani general, he's just been elected - not elected, this guy took over office," Mr Bush said.

"It appears this guy is going to bring stability to the country and I think that's good news for the sub-continent."