April 12, 2005

Something to consider.

Sources: Rudolph planted dynamite near building agents used as headquarters during manhunt

By JAY REEVES
The Associated Press

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Eric Rudolph stashed dynamite near a building that government agents used as a headquarters during the huge manhunt for the serial bomber, federal sources close to the case told The Associated Press on Monday.

Agents believe that while he was a fugitive, Rudolph left a large stash of dynamite near a National Guard armory that served as a temporary base for agents during the search for Rudolph near Murphy, N.C., a federal official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The exact proximity of the explosives to the armory is not known, but the official said the cache was close enough to the building to have caused damage had it exploded.

Another federal source said bomb components were found buried near the armory — located near woods about two miles outside of Murphy — but officials weren't sure how long they had been in the ground. The device "wasn't operational," but contained all the pieces of a bomb, the source said, also speaking on condition of anonymity. [...]

For some, the failure to date to apprehend various terrorists, most especially Osama bin Ladin, is held up as some sort of failing of the current Administration. It might be worth considering that Eric Rudolph eluded capture for five years, all the while operating in a small portion of territory in the midst of a relatively well-populated area; and as the article notes above, occasionally within striking distance of his pursuers. Five years to find a guy who was there all along. If bin Ladin is still alive, he will be caught, but it serves no purpose (except to our enemies) to cast his escape to this point as a general failure of policy.

Posted by Terry Oglesby at April 12, 2005 09:01 AM
Comments

Reminds me of the Talmudic discussion about directing one's natural inclinations to positive things. Specifically, it says that a person with a naturally bloodthirsty nature should become a Shochet (stick a guttural throat clear in there to pronounce right), a ritual slaughterer. Rather than turning himself to murder or mayhem, he could channel his energies into something positive, i.e. making yummy meat kosher for hebrew types.

So, here's this Rudolph guy, obviously technically clever and bright enough to keep himself in hiding for 5 years. What could he have done with himself that would have been constructive instead?

Posted by: skinnydan at April 12, 2005 10:41 AM

Indeed so--and there are so many out there like that, who just can't seem to do anything constructive.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at April 12, 2005 10:48 AM