Posted by William Neikirk at 2:22 CDT
President Bush and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) both used the phrase "stark reminder" to comment on today's foiled terrorist attack in London. But they were thinking of different things for us to be starkly reminded about.
Bush said upon arrival in Wisconsin that the arrests in London "are a stark reminder that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom." He went on to say that we are safer than we were prior to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, but added "we're still not completely safe."
Kerry, the loser in the 2004 presidential election, said the incident "is a stark reminder that the war on terrorism is global, and extends far beyond Iraq to our shores." He went on to say that the incident "exposes the misleading myth that we are fighting them over there (in Iraq) so we don't have to fight them here. In fact the war in Iraq has become a dangerous distraction."
From the office of House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) came this press release: "When you don't have a plan for winning the global war on terror, avoiding the fight can be an attractive opinion--and Capitol Hill Democrats are embracing it. Divided and without a plan to combat terrorism in a post 9/11 world, Democrats are racing toward those who would concede defeat in Iraq and 'stand aside' in the global war on terror."
It probably is not surprising that the thwarted attack became politicized before the day was out. There was hardly enough time for the world to rejoice that thousands of people were spared before the political spin began. It wasn't like that immediately after the Sept. 11 attacks, when the country and our politicians were united. It makes one nostalgic.
Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued a statement saying, "This is one of the worst threats we've seen since 9/11, and a further reminder that we must remain vigilant in defending our homeland and winning the war on terror." He did not say "stark" when using the word "reminder," but "further" is just as scary.
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Comments
When your plan to fight terrorists ignores the group who attacked us, fails to address security in the US, and ends up creating a new terrorist training ground in Iraq, Rep. Boehner, don't be surprised when your propaganda falls on deaf ears.
We're just lucky we didn't have to count on Chertoff and the Bush DHS to stop the attack.
Posted by: Tom O | August 10, 2006 5:29 PM
Did John Kerry flip-flop again? I thought he voted for the war, before he voted against it or whatever he says or said...he gives me a headache.
If Kerry or his ilk ever get in power, the terrorists have the edge because they know the Dems are weak on defense.
Posted by: Garry | August 10, 2006 10:19 PM
George W.FortunateSon does not have a new plan for fighting terrorism,he already attacked Iraq once,maybe he wants us to attack Iraq again.That will really show them.Get er dun Dubya!!
John D.
GOP canidates use code words at rallys to speak to the many kkk members in their party.Google the klan John D.,it's all there.It's why Dubyadoolright has avoided the NAACP for so many years,until this last year.The black people know the truth Jonnny D.,thats why they don't vote republican.Don't be hatein on the black man John D.
Posted by: FOX LIES!! | August 11, 2006 1:46 AM
Oh my Mr. Foxlies, that lobotomy did not go well, did it?
Yes, George Bush hates black people. That's why, while not speaking at the NAACP until this year, he has spoken at other black group's events. That's why his secretary of states have been black. That's why his first education secretary was black. His HUD secretary is black. In fact, Bush has had more black people in high-ranking positions than any other president in history. That's why black home ownership is at an all-time high. And, of course, anyone making less than $25,000 a year no longer pays any income tax under Bush (helps lower wage earners of all races, not just blacks I will add).
And, Mr. Foxlies, I have never made a disparaging comment any black person, so please do not put words in my mouth.
Posted by: John D | August 11, 2006 10:45 AM
Dems are weak on defense? Ha ha ha. Good one.
It wasn't the Dems selling selling our ports to an Arab government.
It wasn't the Dems who forgot the terrorists and invaded Iraq.
It wasn't the Dems ignoring the 9/11 commission recommendations at home.
It wasn't the dems who botched every aspect of the ill-advised Iraq conquest and turned it into a terrorist recruiting center and training ground.
Our safety is important to the Bush Republicans only when they can make money on it.
Posted by: Tom O | August 11, 2006 12:17 PM
John D,
Where the hell did you get that misinformation? People making less than 25K do not pay federal income taxes. What a crock, for your information my step-son works for me at around 20K and he pays federal income taxes. He does not get it all back at the end of the year when he files his taxes. The big tax cut that the Republicans boast about amounts to around $10.00 a year for people making between 20K and 30k. If you happen to be making 1 Million a year your taxes were reduced by over 40K. Those tax cuts the Republicans talk about are nothing more than a government give-away to the richest people in this country, a policy that pushes the middle income families into the lower class.
Posted by: Rory M | August 11, 2006 12:19 PM
Sorry to inform you Rory, but under a certain amount many folks don't pay federal income tax (money is returned in spring after filing). In fact, some GET tax money back above and beyond what they paid.
By the way, people keeping more of the money they make is not "a government give away." It is our money first, not the government's to give and take.
Posted by: John D | August 11, 2006 1:44 PM
John D, try telling that to the IRS when quarterly taxes are due. By the way, you must be in that 7 figure bracket.
Posted by: Rory M | August 12, 2006 12:41 PM