Letter: Clinton’s policy gave Taliban sophisticated gear

Monday, Nov. 5, 2001 | 9 a.m.

I would like to address some accusations in recent letters that former Presidents Reagan and Bush helped to arm the Taliban. They were simply arming an enemy of the now-defunct Soviet Union. Opponents of the current president, again in letters, have called Mr. Bush a "wolf dressed in sheep's clothing."

Let's deal with the facts and cease the childish name-calling. The World Net Daily reported that the Clinton administration sold sophisticated communications systems to Syria, a known terrorist-supporting country. These systems, in turn, were given to bin Laden.

The systems are of such a high-level encryption that even we cannot tap into them. This is the major reason why the National Security Agency was not able to monitor the bin Laden terrorist plot to attack the twin towers. Check into it. Bill Clinton's policy of decontrols on advanced telecommunications have given the Taliban telephony equipment that cannot be deciphered.

Now, putting that aside, we are in a state of war within the confines of the U.S. Our congressional leaders have shown a high magnitude of unity behind President Bush, pushing aside party politics.

Some people do not understand this concept. They prefer to use petty politics and make accusations that are based on cartoon characters. I'm thankful that our current president works from a base of reality. Wake up and quit boring me with your useless political jargon.

CARL RIDENOUR