>> the unmanned tomahawk missile was the pentagon's weapon of choice for the surprise aerial attacks, aimed at sending a pointed message to accused terrorist kingpin osama bin laden. >> america has battled terrorism for many years. we have quietly disrupted terrorist groups and foiled their plots. but there have been and will be times when our very national security is challenged. and when we must take extraordinary steps to protect the safety of our citizens. >> within minutes of today's attacks in afghanistan and sudan, some in washington were openly questioning the timing of it. >> it was the wag the dog question about the movie where a president fakes a war to distract the country from news of his sexual dalliances. >> there are a quite a few people who believe that clinton is trying to distract americans with a shiny object from what really matters which is his impeachment trouble for the remainder of his time in office. he wouldn't authorize attacks unless the information was