>this is all utter nonsense. It’s ok to kill teenage pirates and send drones to knock off whomever we please, but causing anxiety is out of bounds.

I think the real issue here is what happens next. Arguably the techniques and organization and direction from the Bush administration were successful in pushing back the jihadists. Obama has quite a bit of wiggle room here, probably less than he thinks he has, and is throwing a bone to his base.

But if anything is to be learned over the last few years is the resourcefulness and tenacity of the jihadis. The lead up to 9/11 showed that even if the officials of the US government had the information they needed to prevent the attack, focus was lacking and artificial walls and secondary priorities were more important. There is some value when a small group of people are allowed to follow their noses and hunches.

So what is now happening within the FBI, CIA? Is the focus as strong and direct? I would doubt it. How much slack has been handed to the jihadis, and how will they take advantage of it?

It can be argued that the Bush administration in the early days ignored the Clinton appointees warnings. At great cost.

This whole thing is simply moral preening. A good way to demonize the opponent. And normal for the American political back and forth. As long as no one gets killed.

Derek