First, prior to 9-11 there didn't seem to be the political will to spend the money necessary to do much about terrorism.

Reagan didn't do it, Bush the First didn't, Clinton didn't, and neither did Bush the Second. Not only didn't, but probably couldn't. Wasn't anyone's priority, and trying to budget more airport protection, for instance, would have been fiercely resisted. Was after 9-11, for that matter.

Second, it wouldn't hurt to find out if there would have been a way to collate the information which was available prior to 9-11 in a manner which would have led to uncovering the plot. There may be another scheme floating around waiting to be discovered, if they learn how to look for it.

Computers have made it possible for different jurisdictions to share information which has made uncovering the Ted Bundys, for instance, of the US much easier. I wouldn't be surprised if information from different areas and different activities couldn't reveal quite a bit, if one knew what the flags are, and has a clearinghouse for them.

9-11 worked so well for Bush that a lot of people outside the country think he could have had a part, much the way FDR was believed to be involved with Pearl Harbor. I don't think any American believes that.

Arf