Don't shoot the messenger

September 16, 2001

AP: Cheney says U.S. will target bin Laden

"A delegation of senior Pakistani officials will go to neighboring Afghanistan on Monday to demand that the ruling Taliban militia hand over bin Laden to the United States, a top Pakistani official said in Islamabad, Pakistan's capital.

The delegation will issue an ultimatum: either deliver bin Laden or risk a massive retaliatory assault, said the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity."

Is it just me or does this seem like a suicide mission? I read that when the Taliban took over Afghanistan the former leader was hung from a light post with his genitals stuffed in his mouth. Can't they just PHONE the Taliban and tell them verbally?