The St. Petersburg Times has a much linked-to article that confirms (finally) that there were several flights in the wake of 9/11 which flew several Saudi nationals around the country and presumably back to their home countries.

I admit I’m a little puzzled, since anyone who saw Richard Clarke’s testimony saw him confirm that there were several flights and members of the bin Laden family were flown out of the country. Before that Michael Moore wouldn’t shut up about it. Then there was Craig Unger… Now it’s finally being covered by the mainstream press. Welcome to the party.

An article in The Hill out a few weeks ago had Clarke taking full responsibility for approving the flights, though who originated the request remains a mystery.

Clarke says: “It didn’t get any higher than me,” and “On 9-11, 9-12 and 9-13, many things didn’t get any higher than me. I decided it in consultation with the FBI.”

I think Clarke was wrong to allow the bin Laden family to leave. Why would he do it? I have a theory, but that’s all it is:

Clarke says the request didn’t go higher than him- here’s the thing- Clarke wouldn’t need to seek approval from the White House if the White House originated the request.