The Provocateur State

Terrifying. If you only read one thing, please read the actual text of the declassified Joint Chiefs of Staff "Operation Northwoods" memo from 1962. The memo contained plans and ideas designed to make it appear that Cuba was attacking the U.S., in order to get public approval for U.S. military actions against Cuba.

http://cryptome.quintessenz.org/mirror/jcs-corrupt.htm

One very important excerpt:

4. We could develop a Communist Cuban terror campaign in the Miami area, in other Florida cities and even in Washington. The terror campaign could be pointed at refugees seeking haven in the United States. We could sink a boatload of Cubans en route to Florida (real or simulated). We could foster attempts on lives of Cuban refugees in the United States even to the extent of wounding in instances to be widely publicized. Exploding a few plastic bombs in carefully chosen spots, the arrest of Cuban agents and the release of prepared documents substantiating Cuban involvement, also would be helpful in projecting the idea of an irresponsible government.

Of course, some people will say that that was 1962, at the height of the Cold War, and things were different then. The U.S. government might have been willing to kill U.S. citizens to further its interests back then, but things are different now. Right?

My question: If they were willing to do it then, during the Cold War, why wouldn't they be willing to do it now, during the very hot Global War on Terror (tm)?