Another reason we couldn't "connect the dots":

[Theophylact]

Thanks to The Likely Story:

Three weeks after taking office, George W. Bush signed a National Security Presidential Directive that restructured the National Security Council. It included this command:

"The existing system of Interagency Working Groups is abolished."

The Counter-Terrorism Security Group, Critical Infrastructure Coordination Group, Weapons of Mass Destruction Preparedness, Consequences Management and Protection Group, and the interagency working group on Enduring Constitutional Government were all abolished, to be reconstituted at some time in a new incarnation.

"Except for those established by statute, other existing NSC interagency groups, ad hoc bodies, and executive committees are also abolished as of March 1, 2001."

No wonder they couldn’t connect the dots. They were too busy redrawing the org chart and demoting Clinton-era appointees to actually work together to protect the country from terrorism.

Here's the NSPD, courtesy of the Federation of American Scientists (which, by the way, has a lot of other interesting stuff).

[julietsrose]

Wow, I'm suprised I haven't heard this yet. Thanks for the link, I'll definitely read up. I guess it's more proof of what happens when leaders (or governments) start to feel immune to trouble.

[CERuppel]

Theo:

I just got back from "The Likely Story". Please, tell what I have done to offend you that you have withheld this font of common sense from me for all this time?

Seriously, the two most recent articles, regarding the presidents recent "press conference", were great.

Thanx for sharing (finally...) (j/k)
____________________________________________

On the issue of what was Bush thinking;

I cannot understand how or why, but everytime the office changes party the entire government must do this dumb musical chairs routine. If the people in charge of those departments are compotent to do their jobs, then on what basis are they being terminated?

So instead of going after the individuals this time (don't know about the past) the entire department was abolished? That one like really makes sense. Lets see, we can't trim off any of the salaries, budgets, or perks of any elected officials, but we can eliminate entire departments of essential government services? I mean it is that simple.