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posted by Eric 12:12 AM
KERREY: Well, Mr. Secretary, to both of you and Secretary Armitage, I would prefer that Dr. Rice would be here tomorrow, but Dick you would be a fabulous national security adviser. You would be a dynamite one. So that said, let me say that, with great respect, I'm having difficulty with, you know, we spent eight months developing a plan because I don't think that's the central problem here. And my recollection of the presidential campaign, and by the way, my history, my actions in presidential campaigns were kept intact in 2000. I supported the loser in the primary so my memory may not be very good. But I don't recall terrorism being much if even an issue at all in the 2000 campaign, in part, even though it was on the policy- maker's minds, they were aware of the threat, they were aware of what's going on, but I just don't recall it being a driving force in either one of the campaigns. Maybe I've got that wrong, but I don't think so. And I think the central problem, Mr. Secretary, is something that all three of us have dealt with from time to time and that was the use of military force in dealing with Al Qaida. I said earlier to Secretary Albright, I think it was one of the big mistakes of the Clinton administration. In fact, I think it was also a fault of the Bush administration. Although I'm sympathetic that the secretary of defense was not a primary actor in the war on terrorism. Indeed, striking, his recollection of the briefings on Al Qaida were considerably different than yours. His recollection may be different when he's testifying. But it wasn't as clear and shouldn't be because under presidential directive 62, which was signed by President Clinton in '98, that presidential directive didn't give the Department of Defense a primary role in the war on terrorism. It just didn't in counterterrorism activity. And I've read the cautionary concern that General Zinni had, who was CINC of CENTCOM at the time and other military leaders. I've had, in twelve years experience in the United States Senate, many times I walk out wondering if I voted the right way. And among those moments was Desert Storm I, where I'm relatively certain today that I did vote the wrong way. But it came from a concern for bodybags coming home and would we be able to sustain the political effort. And I was likewise concerned about Bosnia, ended up supporting the effort in Bosnia and Kosovo. But those who say we shouldn't be skeptical or concerned about use of military force, I think have got it wrong. We should be. We should, it seems to me, always wonder. But I wonder if you see it that way. I mean I wonder if you see that if you look at from '93 when World Trade Center I was hit the first time and through September of 2001, Al Qaida never suffered a military response from us, never -- other than on August 20th, which was a relatively small military attack, a very limited military attack with absolutely no anticipation of boots on the ground of being involved. And I'm just wondering, I appreciate that I'm asking a question as if you were secretary of defense, secretary of state, national security adviser and perhaps even president, not just secretary of state. But I wonder if you see it that way, as well, that our reluctance to give the secretary of defense and the military a more prominent role in counterterrorism efforts contributed to our lack of preparation.
Missing woman home after secret road trip
CHEYENNE -- Saying she just needed a break, a woman who took an unexpected trip to Colorado returned home after her disappearance panicked friends and family.
Kathy Ellis' mini-mental health break created much worry and fear, her husband Ron Ellis said Wednesday, a week after he filed a missing-person report.
She returned on her own Sunday night after a five-day stay with an ex-sister-in-law in Fort Morgan, Colo., a woman she hadn't seen in 10 years.
"That's why we didn't think to look for her there," Ron Ellis said, noting that she assumed word of her whereabouts would trickle back to her husband and sister.
Ron Ellis reported Kathy missing March 10 after she failed to show up for her shift at a Pershing Boulevard dry cleaner -- unusual behavior for the 38-year-old mother, her family said.
Such cases of missing people taking a mystery vacation aren't unusual, Laramie County Sheriff's Office Lt. Pat Branigan said.
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