May Democrats/Republicans use 9/11 for the Vote?

[Vanhalen 0]

Good little article I found on bbc.co.uk/news, surely if either party uses it(and I know theres been mentions, but nothing really overt), is any subject taboo?

 

The 9/11 commission was meant to be a bipartisan balanced panel that produced a bipartisan balanced report, something that could not be used by either main party in this too-close-to-call election year.

 

Even at its launch the Democratic Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton went out of his way to praise the chairmanship of the former Republican New Jersey Governor Tom Kean.

 

Equal blame was given to both the Clinton and Bush administrations.

 

"The most important failure was one of imagination. We do not believe leaders understood the gravity of the threat," said the report. "The terrorist danger from Bin Laden and al-Qaeda was not a major topic for policy debate among the public, the media, or in the Congress. Indeed, it barely came up during the 2000 presidential campaign."

 

The implication is clear. Both administrations had not so much taken their eye of the ball - they had not seen the ball coming.

 

Initially the political reaction was balanced.

 

"What they didn't do is say that the country is actually not safer now than it was then because of the rise in terrorism after our invasion in Iraq"

Richard Clarke Former counter-terrorism chief 

 

"They have done an incredible job," said New York Senator Chuck Schumer.

 

"The most important thing about this report - it doesn't point fingers of blame," said Pat Roberts, chairman of the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee.

 

But John Kerry, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, was quick to weigh in.

 

"This report carries a simple message for all of America about the security of all Americans: We can do better. We must do better and there is an urgency about us doing better."

 

It is a message he will be repeating to Americans between now and 2 November.

 

Few will forget the powerful testimony of Richard Clarke, the former counter-terrorism chief in the Clinton and Bush administrations. Neither will they forget his plea for forgiveness from Americans for failing them.

 

But he was blunt about the findings of the report:

 

"What they didn't do is say that the country is actually not safer now than it was then because of the rise in terrorism after our invasion in Iraq."

 

Political process

 

For his part, President George W Bush said the commission had done a really good job.

 

"We look forward to working with the Congress on the implementation of ways to do our duty," he said.

 

But crucially Mr Bush has not said which of the recommendations he will want to implement.

 

Even then the process will be political. The key recommendation, a radical overhaul of the intelligence community and a new boss to oversee it all will, if acted upon, have to be ratified in Senate hearings.

 

The big problem, apart from trying to get a suitable candidate, will be a simple matter of time. The Senate will go into recess soon and will not reconvene until 7 September. That is just a couple of months away from November and you can bet thoughts will turn to electioneering.

 

Then there is the idea of restructuring Congress so there is just one committee scrutinising intelligence. This could lead to turf wars in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

 

After all who will want to give up their slice of power to oversee what goes on in the intelligence world?

 

Home advantage sought

 

But the chairman of the commission, Republican Tom Kean, hopes partisanship and turf wars can be put aside.

 

"Every expert with whom we spoke told us an attack of even greater magnitude is now possible and even probable. We do not have the luxury of time," he said.

 

The big danger is that the relatives will be forgotten in all this. Kristen Breitweiser's husband was killed in the attacks. She hopes the report will not become a "political football".

 

"This is a very crazy time in Washington. We have an election coming. I do hope these recommendations are acted upon before the next attack."

 

But she is right and this is Washington and it is election year. Analysts from both sides will be poring over the 567-page tome hoping to see some home advantage.

 

Security and the war on terror will be key issues in these elections.

 

Mr Bush says America is safer today, and that voters should not change leaders in these uncertain times.

 

Mr Kerry's mantra is that America can do better and that he would work to improve frayed relations with allies.

 

In just over 100 days the voters will decide who they believe will keep them safe.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Until you start posting your stories with a link I'm BOYCOTTING your threads! (Or at least not comment on the topic you're trying to discuss.) And no, your weak-ass bbc.com/news excuse for a source doesn't count.

 

 

So, let the KKK-LED BOYCOTT begin, but only after I make a remark about this piece of journalistic shit (I'm talking about the passage below, not the person above this line).

 

Few will forget the powerful testimony of Richard Clarke, the former counter-terrorism chief in the Clinton and Bush administrations. Neither will they forget his plea for forgiveness from Americans for failing them.

 

How could we forget? He was shilling his book that one of the members of Big Media was trying to promote because its parent company owned both the TV network and Dick Clarke's Publisher...

[Styles 0]

What a smear merchant...Thanks for looking out for the folks, KKK.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Don't forget to stop by my Web site and pick up some KKK Gear...

[sfaJack 0]

The website says your t-shirts are currently sold out. WTF is up with that?

[Dr. Tom 0]

The General wasn't getting his share of the profits, that's what.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

The General should be re-named the Godfather for his extortion-like tactics.

 

And sfa, it's not my fault I'm the highest rated CE poster in prime time and that my minions, err, groupies, clamor for my gear.

 

Here's a coffee mug...

[Stephen Joseph 0]

F that, I'll start up a rival network

[Guest Wildbomb 4:20]

I'll start my own, and hopefully be bought out for a large profit by kkk to create a conglomerate from hell.

 

Because, well, I need money.

 

--Ryan

[Vyce 0]

Don't forget to stop by my Web site and pick up some KKK Gear...

Question about that: I'm torn between buying the KKK "The racism starts here!" doormat or the lovely KKK mug. What do you consider the better bargain?

 

Either way, I've signed up to be a premium member of your site, so hit me with the streaming audio / video!

[Jobber of the Week 0]

I'll start my own, and hopefully be bought out for a large profit by kkk to create a conglomerate from hell.

 

Because, well, I need money.

 

--Ryan

SHUT UP! I SAID... HEY, SHUT UP!

 

 

That does it. Cut his keyboard.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Question about that:  I'm torn between buying the KKK "The racism starts here!" doormat or the lovely KKK mug.  What do you consider the better bargain?

What are you, some sort of commie? Buy both. They make great Labor Day/Thanksgiving/Xmas/Kwanza/New Years Eve-Day/Valentine's Day/Easter/Memorial Day/etc. gifts.

 

And don't forget to e-mail me at [email protected] -- and be PITHY...

[Guest Wildbomb 4:20]

I'll start my own, and hopefully be bought out for a large profit by kkk to create a conglomerate from hell.

 

Because, well, I need money.

 

--Ryan

SHUT UP! I SAID... HEY, SHUT UP!

 

 

That does it. Cut his keyboard.

Ah, the advantage of the laptop.

 

And don't worry, I've found that it'll be more cost effective to run with my own resources instead of being bought out.

 

Either that, or I'll buy the Expos and have them play in Indonesia to cut down on labor cost.

 

--Ryan

...thank you ESPN Page 2...