Did he say this? Place your bets

Editorial

31 July 2003
Star-News
10A

Q: Secretary Rumsfeld, do you think it was a good idea for his Pentagon to 
invite people to make on-line bets on terrorist attacks, assassinations and 
coups?

A: That's not a fair question and you people know it.

Do I think it's a good idea to gather information on when and where 
terrorists might strike?

I do.

Is this a good way to gather such information?

Some extremely brilliant people who love America think so.

Is it in good taste?

Plainly not.

Is good taste the Pentagon's mission?

Ask me an intelligent question for a change.

Might this game have encouraged terrorists to strike and then profit from 
their crimes?

It might.

Should the Bush administration have asked Congress for $8 million for this 
on-line Casino of Death?

The Bush administration is extremely busy protecting America. You can't 
expect it to know everything it's doing. Or spending.

Is the person in charge of this program retired Admiral John M. Poindexter, 
the same retired Adm. John M. Poindexter who wanted computerized access to 
the bank accounts, medical records, telephone calls, e-mails, library 
records and academic Permanent Records of every American - not to mention 
those of enemy combatants and quite possibly Old Europeans?

It is indeed the same retired admiral.

Is this retired admiral also the former national security adviser who was 
convicted of lying to Congress, but beat the rap on a technicality?

Affirmative.

Is this retired admiral in full possession of his marbles?

The question is insulting and implies a certain unpatriotic bias on the part 
of the questioner.

Is the retired admiral still employed by the Pentagon?

I cannot advise you as to his current status, which is confidential in any 
case, but the last I heard, he was.

Could that change at any time?

Anything can change at any time.

Will I ask myself any more questions?

Not at this time.

Dis-missed!