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Cheney: Security tops election agenda

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BY DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Aug 30, 2006 - 12:10:54 am CDT

OMAHA -- The Bush administration will “keep national security at the top of the agenda this election year,” Vice President Dick Cheney told a Republican audience Tuesday.

Some Democratic leaders want to weaken the tools the administration uses to identify and track terrorists, Cheney said, while others would “give up the fight (and) retreat” from Iraq.

President Bush will rely on commanders in the field to determine the troop levels “needed for victory” in Iraq, Cheney said, rather than listen to polls or “artificial timelines set by politicians in Washington, D.C.”

The president will continue to pursue terrorists with all the tools at his disposal, the vice president said, recognizing the enemy “likely has combatants inside the United States.”

Voters will have an opportunity in some of this year’s national congressional elections to “reject resignation and defeatism,” Cheney said.

Cheney’s four-hour visit to Nebraska dramatized his tie between election-year politics and the war on terror.  After addressing a fund-raising reception for Rep. Jeff Fortenberry in downtown Omaha, the vice president journeyed to nearby Offutt Air Force Base to thank the troops for their military service.

Fortenberry, the 1st District freshman congressman, was praised by Cheney as “a dependable voice” for economic growth, job creation and national defense. 

“He’s off to a terrific start,” Cheney said.  “The president and I need Jeff to keep the economy strong.”

The event at the Hilton Omaha was held in the heart of Republican Rep. Lee Terry’s 2nd District rather than in the Lincoln congressman’s home district.  Fortenberry said an Omaha site was chosen to accommodate Cheney’s desire to visit Offutt.

Terry was one of perhaps 150 people who attended the $250-per-ticket event.  A VIP photo opportunity with the vice president was available to couples contributing $1,500.  Proceeds will be shared with the Nebraska Republican Party.

Republican Senate nominee Pete Ricketts accompanied Cheney on Air Force Two when the vice president flew home to Wyoming after the Nebraska events.   Cheney tossed in a plug for Ricketts during his 20-minute address.

While the administration is determined to protect tax cuts, control federal spending and promote immigration reform, Cheney said, “the first order of business in Washington is to protect the American people.”

That determination is accompanied by support for “the men and women who defend us in a time of war,” he said.

Withdrawal from Iraq at this time would “simply validate the al-Qaida strategy and invite more attacks,” the vice president said.

“We must not let up for a moment,” he declared.

Although the terrorist network has been “weakened and fractured,” he said, it remains lethal and determined.

“With George Bush leading,” Cheney promised, “we will not let down our guard.”

Following the event, Fortenberry’s Democratic challenger, Maxine Moul, issued a statement calling for a plan to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq safely.

“I will fight to make sure that our soldiers have clear benchmarks and goals so that we can measure our success in Iraq, complete our mission, and begin bringing our troops home,” Moul said.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.


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William wrote on August 30, 2006 12:16 am:
" Has Moul given a troop withdrawl deadline? Her quote above sounds remarkably like Jeff Fortenberry? "

 Cheney Lies wrote on August 30, 2006 12:25 am:
" Cheney lies, and over 2500 have died, and what about that Leak out of his office? I find it hard to believe anything this administration has said, 99.9 % bs 1 % truth is not a good record to be touting. "

 Hjalmer wrote on August 30, 2006 6:39 am:
" Bush/Cheney and company put us into a war in Iraq against the advice of their own military advisors with just enough people to lose. They've built an energy non-policy that has us paying $70/ barrel for crude oil to Iran and Iran funds the terrorists. In effect, we're funding BOTH sides of the war. Bush and Cheney have no plan to win. They have a plan to delay the day of accountability beyond their terms. Cheney's "stay-the-course" approach digs the hole deeper and assures absolute failure in the Middle East and for us. "

 Thank you Fortenberry!! wrote on August 30, 2006 7:04 am:
" because of your votes for Nebraska farmers, we have a seat at the national energy policymaking table. He is a strong voice for renewable energy. And because of support of the small business owner, my aunt will soon be opening a new cafe up........why would we want to dump a young, vibrant Congressman for an old, Colleen Seng-type liberal?? Let's keep Jeff Fortenberry!! "

 Dump Fortenberry wrote on August 30, 2006 7:46 am:
" Fortenberry's support of renewable energy is about the only good thing he's accomplished. In all other respects he's a rubber stamp for the Bush administration and their failed policies. Why would we want to keep a Louisiana transplanted Bush sycophant in office when we have a strong, viable alternative with sound ideas in Maxine Moul? Let's get rid of Fortenberry now! "

 Josh2 wrote on August 30, 2006 8:01 am:
" I would like to know the plan for leaving or is this just going to be an endless hole in which we throw billions of dollars every week? There is nothing wrong with having an exit strategy, unless you don't have one..... As to the notion that Democrats do not want to keep America safe - comments like that should suggest that Cheney needs to go. Of course Democrats want to keep the country safe - we just want to do it with proper oversight, in a legal and constitutional manner and not give the president carte blanche to do whatever he wants. "

 Strategy Needed wrote on August 30, 2006 8:21 am:
" Tactical competence should be at the top of our national referendum...Rumsfeld-Cheney-Fortenberry have neglected a forceful way to end the war in Iraq and bring troops home. Iraqis must stand up for themselves and our soldiers shouldn't be pawns with a target for IEDs tated on their backs. Change in increments is needed to oust Republcan resolve to stay lonber than our need or welcome in Iraq. Tactics for change is in the voters hands, the message of winning and strong leadership will come from leaders like Nelson (Moul-Hahn). The Little Engine Who Could has a mission to accomplish, Cheney lacks an end to this challenge. "

 Timmy wrote on August 30, 2006 8:27 am:
" So, just days ago Bush was again forced to admit that Iraq had no link to the terror attacks, yet now Cheney shows up and again implies that fighting in Iraq is fighting the war on terror. The old "better to fight them there than here," line of thought? How, exactly, does that work? Do those who trot out that line of reasoning imagine a terrorist conversation something along these lines?: Terrorist #1: “Let's go attack the U.S.!” Terrorist #2: "Yeah, sure, I'd love to, but you know we can't do that while the U.S. is in Iraq. Maybe later." I mean, is that pretty much it? Who makes this stuff up? The only slight justice is that historians will one day have a field day with this stuff, and students will shake their heads in disbelief that Americans in the first decade of the 21st century actually bought it. But, that's a long way off. We’ve wasted some $300 billion, thousands of lives, and our focus on a useless war while we could have been doing the necessary work of improving security for our ports and borders, and the government’s ability to respond to a crisis. Dick Cheney has the audacity to roll into the state on the one-year anniversary of the Katrina disaster when his government proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that if any real security issue occurred in this country they would be completely inept and unable to deal with it, and tells Nebraskans that not voting for his party will make us less secure. Excuse me? American citizens starving to death on the streets of New Orleans because their own government could/would not even airlift food to its own people, and this guy has the nerve to tell me the only way I'll be secure is with him and his gang of Republicans in power? Unbelievable. Tell it to the folks in New Orleans who had loved ones die because you and your pals think government's just a joke and weren’t prepared to do a damn thing when a real disaster struck. Thanks Dick, but given the fact that you and your administration have proven you're entirely incompetent on matters of basic domestic security and foreign relations, I think I'll take my chances come November. And, really, there's no need to thank Fortenberry for supporting the interests of giant agribusiness -- he'll be happy to do it anyway. "

 Jane wrote on August 30, 2006 8:37 am:
" Women, whether soccer moms or farm gals, know when you want to secure your children you don't drive through a "DEAD END" sign. Moul has that common sense and knows the value of life and taking care of kids, citizens and the nation. Jeff lacks the intuitive and nurturing character Moul has and her sense for securing our homes, our state, our nation. It doesn't take a VP to give Maxine courage to fight, she has roots in Nebraska and pioneers of this state had to be tough. "

 Sid wrote on August 30, 2006 9:39 am:
" What stategery do Dems have? All I can gather is that its only bash Bush. If they have a plan its like John Kerrys "secret plan" for anything. Please! "

 Jack wrote on August 30, 2006 9:40 am:
" "...“the first order of business in Washington is to protect the American people...” -- Vice-President Cheney More and more, it appears, that President Bush and Vice-President Cheney believe that protecting the American people means never having to admit mistakes and correct them. "

 Tom wrote on August 30, 2006 9:44 am:
" All this talk is coming from a man who had 5 deferments to get out of serving his country during the Vietnam war because he had other "priorities", In my opinion he is both a "hypocrite" and a "coward". "

 B.D. wrote on August 30, 2006 10:09 am:
" A lot of people seem to want to get rid of Bush, but I see no reason to get rid of Fortenberry. Moul's quote is the same thing Fortenberry says - no different. She's just from a different party. Further, the last time she was in elected office she quit. Now she's sixty-something...is she in for the long haul? No, Nebraska chose Fortenberry for a reason...I don't see that she is an improvement. "

 Andy wrote on August 30, 2006 10:24 am:
" When will the left wake up to reality? We are a country at war. Islamic Faschists started the attacks during the Carter administration. Several administrations (republican and democrat)did not heed the warning signs early enough. It took Sept 11th for a real president to have the vision, fortitude and determination to say "no more". We were attacked (again) on our home soil and our country finally entered the war on terror. Did Saddam order the attacks on 9/11? No and no one in this administration has ever said that. Did Saddam support terrorism / Al Queda? Yes. That is what the administration said and what every intelligence agency in the world knows to be true. Will cutting and running in Iraq embolden terrorists worldwide? Yes. Every time we retreat, they claim a great victory (just look at what happened in Lebanon). Does fighting this war create terrorists? Well, we weren't in Iraq or Afghanistan when they attacked on 9/11. So the answer is that it does not matter if we decide to fight or not. They have decided to fight and kill every one of us (including the appeasers) that is not under moslem rule. The Democratic Party today supports and aids (in conjunction with the left wing media) the terrorists and all enemies of the US. From trying to kill the Patriot Act to putting restrictions on intelligence measures, to exposing classified programs, to fighting for the terrorist's rights, to creating scandal after scandal to bring down the Bush administration, their actions and words betray the trust and security of every American. It is time to rise up once again as the silent majority and put our votes where our collective thoughts are. The Democrats will not know what hit them this November and they will again wonder why the lost more seats in government after the elections. "

 LA wrote on August 30, 2006 10:29 am:
" Does the fact that Fortenberry was born in Louisana and lived there make a darn bit of difference to his ability to do his job? Hagel didn't live here for years. Who cares where he's from? Just 'cause someones Nebraska born and corn fed doesn't make them better or worse qualified to be a congressman/woman from our state. I believe Fortenberry is a strong, fresh voice on renewable energy and an advocate of small business growth. Plus he's not willing to back out of the Middle East with a job that is not finished. He's got my vote! He should have your's too. "

 Tom s wrote on August 30, 2006 10:33 am:
" Libs, oh I mean progressives have one agenda, bash Bush. They can't be pinned down on anything but to "pull the troops out now" Really, then what? When your party has leaders like Pelosi and Kerry you really only attract the anti-America crowd and assorted losers like Sheehan. Yeah, I do question your patriotism. Bush is a modern Churchhill. Oh, you didn't like him either. See what I mean? "

 Jody wrote on August 30, 2006 10:50 am:
" It's time to stop making Bush a hero for happening to be in office on 9/11. The fact is that anyone in office at that time would have gone into Afghanistan. Bush had no pre-9/11 plans to do anything with al-Qaeda, so don't make him out to be some kind of visionary. I can't prove it, but I strongly believe that anyone other than Bush and Condi Rice would have taken ACTIONS during the summer of '01, and stood a fair chance of preventing 9/11. But Bush and Rice were in way over their heads. And yes, 9/11 happened before we invaded Iraq. But it happened AFTER the first Gulf War and AFTER we stationed our troops in S. Arabia. The Islamic radicals' message has been fairly consistent since the '80's. They want us out of the Middle East. So even a mildly bright right-winger should be able to see that invading Iraq would create even more radical anger. Many of the terrorist plotters of recent years have in fact cited the Iraq invasion as their motivation. From the bottom of my heart, I suggest you try reading. "

 Buck Ferguson wrote on August 30, 2006 11:02 am:
" Andy, its simply not true that Saddam supported Al Queda. Because so many good folks seem to think Saddam and Al Queda were linked, or that Saddam was involved with 9/11 (recent opinion polls indicate that more than 40% of the population believe this), would seem to undermine the claims of a liberal media. If the media were so liberal, would the truth be so elusive to such a large portion of society? And for those that argue that the Dems have no solutions isn't true, and you can flip that argument on its head. The Republican solution to staying the course doesn't seem like much of a plan to me, and the brazen use of the security issue by Cheney is simply a glimpse of the coming PR war against common sense, i.e., Dems weak on defense, Reps strong, etc... We are giving up the lives of brave young soldiers for political expediency. "

 CB wrote on August 30, 2006 11:06 am:
" When will the right wake up to reality? This "war" we are fighting has no end! How do you defeat an enemy you can't see? This is not a country we are fighting, it isn't an army that is going to wave a white flag and surrender. The more terrorists we kill, the more we create and it is a never ending cycle. The more civilians casualties we cause, the more terrorists are created and the more determined they are to come here and exact the same pain on our citizens. This republican administration is fighting an enemy it doesn't understand and is only making the situation worse with each decision it makes. "

 ZINC wrote on August 30, 2006 11:06 am:
" "Republican Senate nominee Pete Ricketts accompanied Cheney on Air Force Two when the vice president flew home to Wyoming after the Nebraska events." Did he pay for his trip on AF2....not sure that is ethically correct....it may look like a campaigning trip on the government's dime. "

 Jason wrote on August 30, 2006 11:13 am:
" The president has in recent days admitted that there was no link bwteen Sadam and terrorist. So the rebulicans can dish it out, but not take it? They bashed Clinton's every breath for 8 years, but Democrats can't speak against Bush? "

 DAG wrote on August 30, 2006 11:15 am:
" Success in Iraq has never been defined by Jeff, Ricketts or Cheney; they all intend to stay the course and let IEDs kill soldiers. Maxine Moul is at least presenting a plan for metrics so rational benchmarks are used to validate redeployment of troops. Jeff and Maxine Moul represent two different roadmaps, Maxine has a plan to win, Jeff only has a plan to stay. "

 jc wrote on August 30, 2006 11:22 am:
" Dick Cheney is good at only a couple of things: fear-mongering and shooting hunting companions in the face. Three when you count lying. "

 SWonders wrote on August 30, 2006 11:22 am:
" superstition n. An irrational belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome ....when tou believe in things you don't understand, it is superstition. When you believe in supertition, then you suffer. "Suffer not the children, the soldiers of our nation." "

 Marc wrote on August 30, 2006 11:46 am:
" I don't recall 9/11 as being the motivation for bringing the war against terror to Iraq. As I recall, the purpose for fighting in Iraq was regime change. Rightfully so, Saddam Hussein was determined to be a threat. You might argue that we would be better off if he was still running things in Iraq, but I feel more safe without him in power. Despite what your hero Joe Wilson says, It has been very adequately documented that Sadam was trying to acquire uranium in Niger to advance his nuclear program. There is hard evidence that Iraq was a training ground for Al Queda, and hundreds of WMDs have indeed been found in Iraq. You say that the terrorists want us out so we should leave. After all, we wouldn't want to make them angry. They might want to kill us. Oh wait...they wanted to kill us before we went in there. Now they just want to kill us REALLY dead. "

 George Washington wrote on August 30, 2006 11:49 am:
" It is a sad and disappointing state of affairs. THe mindset today is one of attacking and fighting between the two major political parties. Liberal vs conservatism. Political parties are a curse. We need more national patriotism and less party loyalty. The far right vs the far left. The middle of the road has become silent. Inaccurate reporting of the news, touched up photographs, bloggers who form there own opinions without concrete proof to back them up. The world is full of talking heads and opinions. Cable news is not news but entertainment with the various so called retired experts offering their own views and news talk hosts, more interested in ratings and shock without any thought of the psychological consequences of their actions. Spin is also the name of the game. All of this is for the pursuit of control, power and money. So how could I believe Mr.Cheney? He may be right but I don't see any sane individual letting their guard down now. It boils down to control of the situation. The dems would do just as well. Maybe some new thinking or ideas are needed. "

 Andy wrote on August 30, 2006 12:20 pm:
" Buck, It is widely known that Saddam supported both Al Queda (by letting them train in Iraq, providing resources for them, holding high level meetings between Iraqi intelligence and Al Queda leaders as proved by recently declassified documents) and other islamic terrorists (Iraq had a standing policy to pay large $$ to the families of martyrs who killed themselves and others in connection with attacks against Israel and western interests). Although there is no declassified evidence that Saddam had anything directly to do with 9/11, he did let them use his training bases that specialized in taking over control of commercial aircrafts. It is no wonder that so many Americans believe there was a connection there. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish between support for Al Queda and plaaning support for a specific mission of Al Queda (9/11). As for your "staying the course" statement, Bush said he would fight the war on terror no matter where they are. Iraq is just one battle in the war on terror. We can choose to win the battle or retreat and embolden the enemy. America (real America)has chosen to win the battle and serve a defeat to the islamic faschists. Was it to happen in a few weeks, a few months? No. We were told from the beginning that this war would be a long one and could span many administrations. As stated in other posts, we are not fighting the type of enemy we have traditionally fought in the past (countries + armies). This is a new type of war that must be fought on the military, intelligence, financial, political and psychological battlefields. This enemy blends in with the population and is very adept at using our own media against us (i.e. how they used the journalists in Lebanon with staged pictures, scenes, using civilian population as "shields" by firing missiles in residential areas and forcing people to stay right where they fired from so there would be deaths). One thing that must be said is that the US military has done a terrific job in keeping our war casualty numbers extremely low. We have lost only 2800 over 3.3 years of continuous battle. This can be shown up against the 55,000 from Vietnam, the almost million during WWII, over a million in the civil war, etc. In addition, keeping our troops in Iraq until the job is complete is fiscally smart as we will eventually need to move on the other supporters of terror (Syria and Iran). Wy pay to move the troops there a second time. As for Democrats being weak on defense, I say that is definately true. Please give me an example of one part of the war on terror that Democrats support (without trying to strip away the means and tools to get the job done)? "

 Allan wrote on August 30, 2006 12:53 pm:
" If security is really so important, why has this administration been so slow to implement all of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations to make the U.S. more secure? Our seaports, our food chain, international uranium enrichment facilities--to name only a few weak links--are all at risk, and yet this administration continues to ignore the facts. 9/11 happened while this president (and vice president) ignored the real threats to our security. Now--with their "toothpaste terror" threat--they are trying to pump up Americas fear. It won't work this time--we are the land of the FREE and the home of the BRAVE! The cowardly conservatives can cry about the sky falling all they want--after the coming elections, the cowards will be thrown out of office!! "

 Bud wrote on August 30, 2006 1:14 pm:
" Cheney has been consistent during most of his adult life. He is "full of it". As a military draft dodger his words are less than hollow. "

 Discussed wrote on August 30, 2006 1:37 pm:
" I wouldn't trust Saddam or al-Qaeda. Its strange we go to Iraq to clean up their messes and life style when in our own country there are 33 states with the polgamey mess and the governments just close their eyes and let the women and children suffer, they don't pay taxes, or obey any laws but their own. Our government is ready to beat up the other countries when they should have had better border protection in the first place. Why wouldn't Ricketts take a free ride with Cheney, thats the type he is, you want to vote for another scheming politician?? Nebraska is full of those kind. "

 dave wrote on August 30, 2006 1:41 pm:
" When are people going to wake up? These guys have the same line they keep repeating. Fear, fear 9-11, 9-11, we'll protect you they won't. You let them call Kerry a coward, you let them connect 9-11 to Saddam. Come on, can't anyone think for themselves anymore? "

 MH wrote on August 30, 2006 2:04 pm:
" "The more terrorists we kill, the more we create..." Please research terrorism methodology before regurgitating other idiots. Extremist Islamic Jihadists are very real. And if you think we could have prevented 9/11, you are sadly mistaken (infomation barriers have since been removed by a very 'active' President). 10 years from now, America will be impressed with the extensive overhaul of US. intelligence sharing. Now as to whether, US should pull out of Iraq, that needs to be left up to military advisors who know the facts--not presidential candidates. "

 Jamie wrote on August 30, 2006 2:17 pm:
" At least Congressman Fortenberry has a position on the War on Terror. Maxine just keeps changing her mind. I like to know what I am voting for and with Maxine I have no idea! "

 silver Links wrote on August 30, 2006 2:24 pm:
" You liberal losers just do not realize how fortunate YOU are to have George W. Bush as THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. Remember back when "the President that had more fun in office than any other PRESIDENT" Billy Bob Clinton had his opportunity to protect our country from attack....he chose to get blow jobs from young interns (that could have been your daughter or mine) while chatting on the phone with commanders in the field that had Osama Bin Laden in their gun sites.....Get real you liberal losers...stop wondering why the US has lost respect as it comes from a rapist,that abused the Oval Office and lied under oath and thankfully was IMPEACHED ! "

 JackL wrote on August 30, 2006 2:32 pm:
" The left continues to amaze. There is no way we can ever let them have control of this country's national security ever again. If we must dissolve the constitution then so be it. The real enemy is within our own borders, it is the American left. "

 Jody wrote on August 30, 2006 2:38 pm:
" Someone says 9/11 couldn't have been prevented? Strange, because a lot of the people directly involved in the counter-terrorism effort disagree. We knew a lot, but the main handicap was the lack of leadership. Just as Bush couldn't grasp the reality of Katrina, he wasn't able to fathom the pre-9/11 intelligence warnings. The claim that "information barriers" prevented detection of 9/11 is just a right-wing urban myth to cover up for Bush's incompetence. Bush did not even try to do anything. He just sat on his rear-end at his ranch, berating the CIA briefer for bothering him with warnings about attacks. Another great moment in history for Bush. "

 DM wrote on August 30, 2006 3:03 pm:
" It's interesting how Bush/Cheney have to keep reminding us how badly we need them. "

 VP wrote on August 30, 2006 3:04 pm:
" Mr. Cheney received his first draft deferment for college attendance. After college attendance was removed from the deferment list, Mr. Cheney got married, and received a draft deferment for head of household. After marriage was removed from the deferment list, 9 months and 2 days later, Mr. & Mrs. Cheney gave birth to a child. Permanent deferment granted! MAKE LOVE, NOT WAR! Ask the VEEP! "

 Mitch Bupp wrote on August 30, 2006 3:21 pm:
" What is the matter with Democrats? Why don'y Democrats remind the voters that a Republican president took Iraq off the US terrorist watch list; Armed Saddam with WMD and even provided the CIA to teach the Iraqi Army how to use the gas without killing Iraqi troops. Then to top it off the CIA provided intel so the gas could be used. All of these war crimes were done under a Republican administration whose foreign policy is similar to the current administration. Democrats should hit the Republicans back who use a foreign policy to arm thugs including Osama Bin laden to fight their battles ...... just like the Romans who hired mercernaries the Republicans arm any thugs that will support their agenda ...... "

 unfrozen_caveman_lawyer wrote on August 30, 2006 3:40 pm:
" Sooner or later, we as a country, right wingers included, will begin to accept the fact that, just like vietnam, that the consequences of going to war in Iraq far outweigh the benifits. Just like another poster said earlier, the terrorists aren't putting off plans to attack us because we are currently occupying Iraq. To believe that is just ludicrist, but Dick Cheney would love for you to think that. I think that he and Bush are sinking, and will continue to sink even further, to the lowest common denominator to win in 06 and 08, and that is fear mongering. Just my opinion. "

 Donald wrote on August 30, 2006 3:49 pm:
" I came to read this article because I wanted to hear the truth from Vice President Cheney who is very patriotic. I didn't appreciate your decision to conclude your article with an unpatriotic response from a Democrat candidate. We already know what the Democrats stand for which is taxes, controls, sacrifice, subservience, and defeat. In the war against terrorism there is no substitue for victory over the Islamic Fascists of Iraq. It's nice to know that Sadam is in jail and can no longer rule with his Communist Bath Party. P.S. I'm for the majority in Iraq; the minority will get a chance with enlightened majority support because it is the right thing to happen. "

 DK wrote on August 30, 2006 3:53 pm:
" Since no one has mentioned it yet, let's not forget Mr. Cheney's "former"(?) employer, Halliburton, one of the main contractors to the US govt. in the War Against Terror! "

 Jim wrote on August 30, 2006 3:53 pm:
" Andy I think thou most certainly doth protest way too much. I see a pattern recently of neo cons smugly imploring people who disagree with them to 'do some research'. Well forgive me but I haven't been able to listen to Rush over my lunch hour this week to do my 'research'. And of course that's the real problem these days. In their hearts the neo cons know what a huge mistake this war was (from the start), but some people's nature is such that they just can't admit they were wrong, so thus we have the constant rationalization and mental gymnastics on these pages designed to keep that from happening. And of course in this day and information age there’s always somewhere they can go to find 'research' that supports their view, no matter how far removed it may be from actual reality. "

 David wrote on August 30, 2006 3:55 pm:
" Under the Democrats we won't need to “keep national security at the top of the agenda." The rest of the world won't hate us as much. "

 Joseph wrote on August 30, 2006 4:24 pm:
" Weaken what security measures? This administration hasn't done anything to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, the only bipartisan committee to investigate the institutional failures that allowed 9/11 to happen. Instead, this administration has led us on a bloody and expensive adventure in Iraq that anyone, who knows anything about Islamic extremism or al-Qaida, understands had nothing to do with keeping America safe from terrorists. What I don’t get is why do Democrats so consistently fail at presenting a reasonable alternative on security and so many other issues? "

 the friar wrote on August 30, 2006 4:26 pm:
" An expert comission, including the Army Corp of Engineers have developed a plan for the securing of the entire gulf Coast form the effects of any hurricane. It will cost a total estimated 30 billion, and make the gulf Coast as safe as the Netherlands in regard to tidal surge. The current admin thinks that's way to much money. Theys rather spend it in a week in Iraq, and put a lions share of it into thehands of their contractors friends hands.. those 'contractors' that have offices in washington and have never set foot in New Orleans since Katrina... thse great engines of or economy.. the "middle men' By the time 1 dollar of govenment money makes it to the people of the gulf Coast.. it looks more like a dime. That's how BushCo operates... the connected get wealthy.. the unconnected get nothing... because as the so called president once said himself to a reporter.. "Who cares what you think?' Foir all you folks out there that don't even have enough self respect to have one original thought... or dare to think at all... go vote for every republican you can... their on their ... err excuse me .. YOUR side .. heh heh heh heh ... "

 jesse wrote on August 30, 2006 4:43 pm:
" good thing President Cheney is watching our backs-LOL. what's really scary is these people believe what they say- Cheney, Rumsfled, et al. They all seem to be in love with being at war and we'll pick a fight with just about anybody. Even more scary is how many suckers are still buying these folks' line, to this day. I think more and more every day, Americans are seeing through the B.S. and asking themselves, "2500 dead, 25,000 injured, over 100,000 innocent Iraqis dead......and for, what?". "

 Keeping It Real wrote on August 30, 2006 5:00 pm:
" Republican Base: Will you vote for a moral daddy or leader this time? I know you were mad over Clinton, don't make another mistake. You know Bush is a joke, deal with your pride and vote accordingly. "

 Jon wrote on August 30, 2006 5:12 pm:
" >> The president has in recent days admitted that there was no link bwteen Sadam and terrorist. No, he said there is no link between Sadam and 9/11. He NEVER said there was no link between Sadam and TERRORISTS. Quite the contrary in fact. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Maxine Moul is at least presenting a plan for metrics Metrics require definable parameters. If you define a generic parameter like 'WE must keep killing the terrorists and train the Iraqi forces until the Iraqi forces can take over killing the terrorists themselves' then comments like 'Staying the corse' apply to the metric. However, if you define a more specific metric, like, 'Securing the oil fields' then the success rate doesn't take into account the tactics the terrorists are going to implement tomorrow, only those that are being used today. Furthermore, if you define a metric like, 'Curve the violence in the capital', then an accurate assesment would have to be measure over more than just a couple of months. The ONLY metric that matters is WIN. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> These guys have the same line they keep repeating. Fear, fear 9-11, 9-11 First and formost, noone has ever said fear. They have always said courage. Courage to do what has to be done. The Liberals in there effort to frame the discussion most favorable to their ELECTION hopes have said fear. AND btw, they have also used the word fear in the context of: FEAR big brother, he will listen to your phone calls. With regards to the Conservative message, 'We must be Vigilant', as long as the terrorists decide that those of us who aren't fanatics deserve to die AT ANY MEANS POSSIBLE, then the message is as valid today as it was the first time it was uttered. "

 Mary Carey wrote on August 30, 2006 5:35 pm:
" Regarding John Kerry, he served well enough to save his men's lives & receive medals. I know for a fact he could do a more honest job of protecting OUR counry than the two draft dodgers Cheney & Bush. So Cheney finally comes out of hiding to preach more fear. A few sheeple will believe his propaganda. Most thinking Americans though, know to question the leaders that lie without shame. No matter their title. "

 James Danley wrote on August 30, 2006 5:57 pm:
" Jody, you wrote: "The fact is that anyone in office at that time would have gone into Afghanistan." It never ceases to amaze me how quickly we forget. On Feb. 26, 1993, the 37th day of Bill Clinton's presidency, Islamic terrorists blew up a car bomb in the basement of the World Trade Center. In spite of intelligence suggesting a link to al Qaeda and that further attacks were planned, the Clinton Administration treated them as common criminals. On Oct. 3, 1993, the Somalia militia with the support of al Qaeda attacked our Delta Force commandos and the U. S. Army Rangers shooting down two black-hawk helicopters. On Jun 25, 1996, Hezbollah attacked the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia with a truck bomb. On Aug. 7, 1998, al Qaeda attacked two of our embassies (in Kenya and Tanzania). President Clinton's response was to launch cruise missiles on Aug. 20, 1998, striking a terrorism training camp in Afghanistan and destroying a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the Sudan. On or about Jan. 1, 2000, there were the planned so-called millennium attacks by al Qaeda. The LAX bombing plot was foiled and plot to bomb the Raddison Hotel, and three additional tourist sites in Jordan were foiled by the Jordanian police. Then on Oct. 12, 2000, al Qaeda attacked the USS Cole. President Clinton's response was...well there was no response! As for the 2006 mid-term elections, there is no question that the Democrats, should they regain control of either or both Houses of Congress, will end the funding of the war in Iraq AND strip the Bush Administration of some of the tools that are being used in trying to prevent another attack on United States soil. Regardless of why we got into the war in Iraq, al Qaeda has chosen to make this THEIR lead battlefield in their war against the civilized world. That's not rhetoric from the Bush Administration, those are the words of al Qaeda's number two man, Ayman al-Zawahiri. While I don't doubt that Democrats and those on the Left are patriotic and sincere in their love of our country, they just do not believe that we are in the middle of World War III, with the survival of the civilized world in the balance. They do not understand that the war in Iraq is NOW inextricably linked to the war on Terror. To cut an run from Iraq will only embolden the terrorists; and it will be seen as a major victory for them. Al Qaeda is in at least 60 countries. Their supporters and wannabes are in EVERY country. They have successfully orchestrated attacks in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Tanzania, Yemen, Tunisia, Pakistan, Bali, Morocco, Indonesia, Turkey, Spain, Britain, and Jordan. Make no mistake about it, this is World War III. "

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