On covert ops in general.

Post #56,647 by inthane-chan 10/14/02 11:53:07 AM Reply	On covert ops in general. I used to think that stuff like that Just Didn't Happen. And if it did, it would come out in the public, 'cause you just can't keep a secret. In my last stint at Microsoft, my roommate was an ex-special forces guy from the Gulf War. He always had this far-off look, like he was remembering something that caused him a lot of pain, and he would sometimes start crying for no obvious reason. When Sept 11 happened, he really started freaking out, and made some cryptic comments about some kind of covert action he was in during the Gulf War - and even dropped some hints it was U.S. on Allies attack to justify certain actions that were taken. When his emotions calmed down, he clammed up, and refused to talk any more about it. I didn't push either... End of world rescheduled for day after tomorrow. Something should probably be done. Please advise.
Post #56,653 by Andrew Grygus 10/14/02 12:23:46 PM Reply	Risk / benefit Personally, I don't think this bombing would pass a risk / benefit analysis for a covert operation. Of course, such things have been done, and not just by the U.S.. The British government had the hold of the Lusitania (an armed and armored cruiser disguised as a passenger ship) filled with munitions, had all American passengers transfered to that ship, used political pressure to hold up publication of a full page warning by the German Government, and ordered the captain of the Lusitania to change course to pass directly in front of a known Uboat to be torpedoed, with great loss of American lives. Evidence of the course change messages was erased (except at one relay station that erased the message text but left recorded the times, dates and Lusitania destination). The captain was put on trial for neglegence, but the judge eventually realized it was a fix and acquited him. That judge was banished from the bench by the British Crown. The British government, presented with the evidence, officially admitted most details of the operation back in the '70s. [link\|http://www.aaxnet.com\|AAx]
Post #56,767 by mhuber 10/14/02 7:07:34 PM Reply	Risk / benefit analysis assumes intelligent direction The fact that it doesn't make sense rules out neither Al-Quaida nor, umm, that one guy in the funny shaped room. ---- Whatever
Post #56,781 by Ashton 10/14/02 8:27:36 PM Reply	Simple, intelligent aim: sow chaos. It worked. Works.

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