We've had the discussion on governments lying to THEIR PUBLIC before.

Except in times of war - and related directly to that war - there is NEVER an instance where outright lying by government can be tolerated. That's the biggest part of what a DEMOCRACY is all about.

If lies were acceptable in day-to-day governmental activities we'd never know when something was truthful or a lie. We cannot allow ourselves to be put into that position. Period.

Now President Bush has stated that Bin Laden's capture/killing/death is incidental to him and that it wouldn't have much effect on terrorism in general. And the fact that he accepts that Pakistan forbids U.S. troops on its land and is taking the lead on the search confirms that to me. So there is no need to lie about Bin Laden and the effort to get him (or not).

Your theory lacks in another area, Mike, in that Musharrif(sp?) is himself a dictator.

cheers

>>I seriously doubt that getting Bin Laden is anywhere near a top priority with the Administration. They get moch more leverage in the "war on terror" by having him at large.
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>It is important to doubt the words of our leaders. But maybe your suspicouns should allow for a conspiracy theory that isn't wholly malicious.
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>For example:
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>I seriouslly doubt that Afghanistan as a democracy could succeed as the only democracy in its region. In order for that experiment to succeed, I suspect the Bush adminstration felt they needed a democratic play friend in the neighborhood and Iraq was an extremely convientent. I suspect that's one of the bigger motivating reasons behind the Iraq invasion.
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>Going a little farther, I seriouslly doubt Bin Laden was ever in Afghanistan. I think he was in Iran the whole time, and still is there.
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>By the way, you've heard about the Iranian president calling for Israel (and the US) to be wiped off the map, right?
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>Anyways, Iran is surrounded by Afghanistan and Iraq.
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>I think bin Laden is a top priority, I think we're using information to keep our plans secret (and that does mean lieing to the public), and I think the Middle East is making a positive transformation as a result.
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>Of course, that is assuming that government isn't out to oppress us and Bush has a few good bones in his body. That's a hard assumption to make for alot of people.