I keep getting variations on this email forwarded to me:
I was at a UNC lecture the other day where they played a video of Oliver North during the Iran-Contra deals during the Reagan administration. I was only 14 back then but was surprised by this particular clip. There was Olie in front of God and Country getting the third degree. But what he said stunned me. He was being drilled by some senator I didn’t recognize who asked him:
‘Did you not recently spend close to $60,000 for a home security system?’
Oliver replied, ‘Yes I did sir.’
The senator continued, trying to get a laugh out of the audience, ‘Isn’t this just a little excessive?’
‘No sir,’ continued Oliver.
‘No. And why not?’
‘Because the life of my family and I were threatened.’
‘Threatened? By who.’
‘By a terrorist, sir.’
‘Terrorist? What terrorist could possibly scare you that much?’
‘His name is Osama bin Laden.’
At this point the senator tried to repeat the name, but couldn’t pronounce it, which most people back then probably couldn’t. A couple of people laughed at the attempt. Then the senator continued.
‘Why are you so afraid of this man?’
‘Because sir, he is the most evil person alive that I know of.’
‘And what do you recommend we do about him?’
‘If it were me I would recommend an assassin team be formed to eliminate him and his men from the face of the earth.’
The senator disagreed with this approach and that was all they showed of the clip.
It’s scary when you think 15 years ago the government was aware of Osama bin Laden and his potential threat to the security of the world. I guess like all great tyrants they start small but if left untended spread like the virus they truly are.
For the record, it’s bullshit; Snopes has the lowdown, including a denial from North himself. So the next time you see this in your inbox, instead of sending it to me, send this link to the person who fell for it.