America has never lost a major warship at sea since (WW-II)
Thresher, OK probably not hostile. Liberty, certainly not friendly. Pueblo.

gokart-mozart,
Claiming that they do not attack target “X” a school, mall or public gathering is proof of a symbolic targeting strategy has very little consistency and almost no predictability. It is like trying to solve a problem with two independent variables. If they do attack one of mentioned target set on Wednesday then the same analysts who were concocting a theory of the superior symbolism of the WTC over the Mall of America on Tuesday would on Thursday cite the new event as proof of the soundness of their theory.

Yes they do choose symbolic targets. They do understand the intended effects of their terror. They can observe resources being expended to defend targets they are not attacking and to their purposes that is not a failure on their part but a success.

Marie Claude,
It does nothing for the honor of France to try and defend Chirac and Villepin by saying that everyone was doing it. You would do your own position more good if you shrugged Gallicly and noted that everyone has politicians and sometimes they get caught.

Dick Cheney is the boss you want to have, knowing you could get your butt kicked.

My concern at the moment is that there is no way to secure the US Mail. It is incredibly easy to sabotage or paralyze and it is crucial to the economy.