this is over a week old but it blew me away--especially after seeing gwb last night explaining how iraq (which the cia reportedly has now designated as the main global location for training and motivating islamic terrorists) is so crucial to the war on terror.

apparently the opinions of the rest of the world (or parts of it anyway) and international law really do matter--much more that previously acknowledged--to  this administration and its new cia director.   time magazine published an interview with director porter goss in it's june 20, 2005 edition. 

when asked when osama bin laden would be captured, goss replied:

That is a question that goes far deeper than you know  In the chain that you need to successfully wrap up the war on terror, we have some weak links. And I find that until we strengthen all the links, we're probably not going to be able to bring Mr. bin Laden to justice.

"We are making very good progress on it. But when you go to the very difficult question of dealing with sanctuaries in sovereign states, you're dealing with a problem of our sense of international obligation, fair play.

"We have to find a way to work in a conventional world in unconventional ways that are acceptable to the international community."

asked if he knew where bin laden was hiding, goss replied:

"I have an excellent idea where he is. What's the next question?"

as to whether bin laden is likely to attack america again, goss answered:

"Yes, it could. Certainly the intent is very high. And we are trying to stay ahead of their capability. And so far, I think we have done pretty well carrying the war to them, as it were. I think that's mattered."

i wish i'd been the interviewer.  my next question woulda been:

Q: do you really expect me to believe bush or cheney when they tell me i'm safer now than i was on september 11, 2001?