“The Path to 9/11″ Verdict: ABC Essentially Didn’t Cave (Night One)
Having just seen the edited version on ABC, I went to Allah’s side-by-side. I think ABC basically pulled a fast one on the censors, editing out time but not substance. What went away was most of the night-vision stuff and some of the frustration on the ground when the operation was cancelled.
Apparently, the only cuts occurred in that one Afghanistan-Berger scene. I don’t see how the editing will make Berger feel any better, except that the exposure of the cowardice in the Situation Room (that’s the Northern Alliance character’s word in the movie, not mine — “Are there any men left in Washington, or ar they all cowards?”) was for a briefer amount of time.
I don’t think Madeline Albright’s scene about the Pakistanis warning Bin Laden before the missiles hit was altered at all, and she (deservedly) does not come off well.
And for all the hoopla, it’s important to remember that Bill Clinton is the one getting a huge free ride here compared to reality. Michael Scheuer reminded us on Fox on Sunday that we had ten chances to either capture or kill (apparently 2 to capture, 8 to kill) Osama Bin Laden between May of 1998 and May of 1999.
