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Bin Laden's Fatal Mistake: He Didn't Read WikiLeaks

Leaked documents mentioned Abbottabad: Donald Rumsfeld

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted May 13, 2011 1:34 PM CDT

(Newser) – Maybe Osama bin Laden should have had his hideaway hooked up with Internet access: He might have saved his own neck by reading WikiLeaks files. The unusual assertion comes from none other than Donald Rumsfeld, who notes in a Washington Post op-ed that leaked classified files from Gitmo "contain clues about al-Qaeda's courier network and even mention Abbottabad." If bin Laden had "closely followed WikiLeaks’ release of these documents April 25, it is unlikely he would have been there when US Navy SEALs descended into his compound days later."

Rumsfeld's larger points are to excoriate WikiLeaks for its WikiLeaking ways and to assert that the documents provide "compelling evidence of the effectiveness of Bush administration anti-terror policies after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks." They vindicate the tough decisions made for national security and refute "myths" about torture at Guantanamo Bay, he writes. "Bush administration officials have much to gain from the release of this sort of record, but for our country’s benefit it must come in the proper time and through proper channels."

The compound in Abbottabad where Osama bin Laden was killed. The city was mentioned in WikiLeaks documents.
The compound in Abbottabad where Osama bin Laden was killed. The city was mentioned in WikiLeaks documents.   (AP Photo/Aqeel Ahmed)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
bewilderbeast
May 14, 2011 8:01 AM CDT
Rumsfeld criticises wikileaks (while claiming the leaks made him look good). Wow. As the prostitute said of the politician who denied porking her: Well he would, wouldn't he? 1963 British court case: When the prosecuting counsel pointed out that Lord Astor denied an affair or having even met her, 19yr old Mandy Rice-Davies replied, "Well, he would, wouldn't he?"
SilenceDogood
May 14, 2011 7:16 AM CDT
 I so love the Liberals knee jerk defense of Obama. These are the same fools that were in the process of lambasting Obama six months ago for continuing GWB policies and procedures across the board and for not effecting changes he had promised. The accusation was made that Obama was Bush2. Now, in a simple statement of fact, we say that it was the GWB policies and procedures that brought down Bin Laden they scream like girly boys. The Liberals now want to make the empty suit into Eisenhower, what a pathetic joke.
xtfrm
May 14, 2011 6:47 AM CDT
 Pathetic old Rummy, out there standing in the reflected glory of President Obama's success. You and your boss Cheney had your chance, old man. You were unequal to the task. You like apples?
 

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