From: Barbara Lamar (altamiratexas@earthlink.net)
Date: Sat Sep 15 2001 - 14:42:05 MDT
> Does anyone see any flaws with this type of approach?
Using this approach you might be able to detect movements of groups of
people and heavy equipment. However, in this case we would not be dealing
with groups and heavy equipment. We're talking about movements of two or
three people over terrain that's inaccessible by any sort of vehicle.
Suitcase (or van) bombs are likely not IN the mountains of Afghanistan where
bin Laden is supposedly hiding out. They're probably already in the US and
other locations where they're meant to be used.
As far as face recognition software used from aloft, it would be of little
use. From above, you can't see a person's face if they're wearing a head
covering that obscures their face, even if you have the most sophisticated
cameras and software. Since one can't bring in vehicles or march large
groups of people over narrow mountain trails, bin Laden's people would have
to be fought on their own terms, and they're far better prepared for the
fight, since they know the terrain intimately, have supply bases set up
there and so forth. It would be a difficult task to drop supplies to our
people from the air because the terrain would make it difficult for the
ground troops to get to if it didn't land in exactly the right spot, and the
treacherous mountain winds would make it difficult to hit the right spot and
impossible to land even the most agile helicopter.
The most effective means of stopping bin Laden would seem to me to be to cut
supply lines to the mountains and to interfere with communications in and
out. I don't think this will stop the terrorist attacks, at least not right
away, because they've already been planned and the men and equipment are
likely already in place. I think it would be necessary to have the support
of the ordinary people in rural Afghanistan. I wouldn't think they'd like us
much at the moment since our government has just spent $43 million to screw
with their main cash crop. One would have to do something to win their
friendship, because without their help I don't think supply lines can be
cut. I think indiscriminate bombing would be one of the stupidest moves we
could make and would play directly into bin Laden's hands.
Barbara
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