In 1993, those linked to Bin Laden attempted to destroy the World Trade Center. They failed at destroying the building, but 6 precious lives were lost. Sources indicate, shortly thereafter, he ordered and helped finance a plot to kill our Bill Clinton in the Philippines. These failures made the thought of revenge taste all the sweeter. His malfunction only made him think on a larger scale. He headed back to the drawing boards once again to conceive a new, and even more horrific scheme.
Bombing U.S. military facilities in 1995-96, he claimed another 22 American lives with no regard for the soldiers he lost in our retaliation. Still behind, he then bombed American soil again at the Tanzanian and Kenyan embassies. Out of the 224 lives lost, only 12 were American. With success still at large, he again struck in Yemen. Trying to sink the U.S.S. Cole, he merely caused insignificant monetary loses and a few deaths. This attack would most definitely be classified as failure for him and his organization.
The attacks he has committed over the years were nothing compared to those plotted. In other words, I believe Bin Laden failed to accomplish what he had in mind. This pushed him over the edge. Eventually he became frustrated enough and “went for it” in the largest scale terrorist attack in our history. His followers were instructed to highjack planes and crash them into key financial and government buildings. They included the World Trade Center (again) and The Pentagon. He claimed and estimated 4000 lives, compared to only 68 American lives in the 5 previous incidents, thus finally achieving “victory.”
Deaths that have been directly linked to Bin Laden are as many as 4220. These deaths have occurred over the past 10 years. Plots are now being discovered more horrific than that of September 11th. It comes as no surprise that Bin Laden headed the attacks, keeping the facts presented in mind. This man must be stopped and put to death before he takes his revenge to new heights. Although this will never bring back the pain in suffering of millions, nor the deaths of thousands, it will demoralize his followers and prevent future attacks.
