CON

Clinton's life does not imitate art

The timing could not have been better. Reporters awaiting any new developments outside the president's vacation home in Martha's Vineyard were passing time by watching a political satire on video.

Ryan S. Hakes

Their leisure time was soon interrupted when the reporters were summoned to a briefing that acknowledged U.S. missile attacks on alleged terrorist camps in Afghanistan and Sudan.

The video was "Wag the Dog." A perfect scenario for life imitating art. But life does not imitate art when terrorism is the artist's medium.

In the film, a mock war is staged to draw the public's attention away from a sex scandal in the White House. Could you imagine such a crazy plot? It is unheard of.

With President Clinton's retaliation to terrorism only three days after he fessed up to the American people for his inappropriate relationship with you know who, eyebrows must be raised and questions asked.

However, I will attempt to provide a few answers and take some of the sweltering heat off our besieged president's back.

Terrorism is a dirty, dirty game and it absolutely can not be neglected. Terrorists today have access to the latest technology, allowing them to create deadlier weapons and better orchestrate their disastrous plots to kill.

All terrorist acts upon the American people must be immediately countered by either law enforcement, the use of diplomatic tools or military force.

Clinton did the the right thing by retaliating quickly and forcefully. Strong messages must be sent to those who perpetrate such deadly and cowardly acts. Anything less is unacceptable.

If we are to lead the free world into a better global society, we must be entirely committed to a never-ending battle against terrorism. We must never back down. We must always punish those who are held responsible.

The timing of Clinton's retaliation is peculiar. We all know the slightest diversion away from the current sex scandal would be a blessing upon him. Even Clinton could use a day without sex on his mind. Even so, terrorism should not be overlooked and Clinton should not have had to wait to act.

Previous U.S. presidents have retaliated against terrorist organizations in the past, such as Libya in 1986 and Iraq in 1993, but this is not usually the case.

In the World Trade Center bombings, our retaliation was carried out in the judicial system by apprehending and bringing some of the accused to trial.

However, this often is not enough. The U.S. needs to pursue terrorist organizations and try to extinguish them any way possible and at all times, even during a presidential sex scandal.