Re p1: No. the US would actively seek to track down and apprehend the perpetrators. The Taliban was given a chance and flat out refused any help. This is a no brainer anyone not interested in "US bashing should easily be able to figure out.

Re p2: Yes meddling in their affairs. We through Saddam out of Kuwait and left troups stationed there and in SA to keep him out. Where have you been? Tom posted a good link to excerpts from one of their manuals as well. Dialogue is obviously not an option when their very reason for attacking is in part based on ideals we hold dear.

Re p3: Countries that do not defend themselves against attack or are inept at it tend to cease to exist. France is a notable exception. Doing little to nothing as Clinton did simply enables more death and destruction. The blame falls on those who failed to act to prevent those actions as well as those who perpetrated them.

Regards,
Mark