Posted on 10/06/2009 1:01:27 PM PDT by jazusamo
President Barack Obama may have shelved the term “Global War on Terrorism,” but he praised the intelligence community’s worldwide fight against al Qaeda during a speech at the National Counterterrorism Center Tuesday.
“It should now be clear — the United States and our partners have sent an unmistakable message: We will target al Qaeda wherever they take root; we will not yield in our pursuit; and we are developing the capacity and the cooperation to deny a safe haven to any who threaten America and its allies,” Obama said at the McLean, Va. center.
Obama’s comments Tuesday made clear that he is taking a different tack than President George Bush in fighting terrorism by fostering cooperation between agencies at home and a deeper partnership with nations abroad.
“We also know that success against al Qaeda must go beyond destroying their network — it must be about the future that we want to build as well,” Obama said. “That's why we're putting forward a positive vision of American leadership around the world — one where we lead by example, and engage nations and peoples on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect.”
A poll in June showed that Obama had a slight edge over Bush in their different approaches to combating terrorism. About 28 percent of Americans felt the country was safer under Obama than under the previous administration, and 21 percent felt the nation was less safe, according to a Pew Research Center. But the survey also showed a deep partisan split.
That’s no surprise given the continued Republican drumbeat that Obama Administration policies are weakening America’s defenses on everything from investigating CIA interrogations to stemming Iran’s nuclear ambitions from increasing US troops in Iraq to having a more balanced approach to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
At the tip of the spear is former Vice President Dick Cheney, who argued in August that Obama’s willingness to investigate whether CIA officers abused terror suspects would undermine the nation’s security and devastate the morale of the intelligence community.
“I have serious doubts about [Obama’s] policies, serious doubts especially about the extent to which he understands and is prepared to do what needs to be done to defend the nation,” Cheney told Fox News.
Leading Republicans in Congress are compounding the pressure – seizing on recent news about Iran’s nuclear activities, Obama’s willingness to talk to Iran and his long deliberation about the US strategy in Afghanistan to slam the president’s resolve.
“Iran is a real-time security threat to the United States, Israel, and our allies around the world,” said House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) after Iran’s second uranium enrichment plant was discovered last month. “The existence of a second uranium enrichment facility not only undercuts the Administration’s policy toward Iran, but leaves little doubt that terrorist nations are not to be trusted or negotiated with diplomatically.”
The speech at the National Counterterrorism Center came hours before Obama was expected to brief key members of Congress on his plans for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Even moderate Republican Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), who nearly served in the Obama administration, kept up the pressure on Obama to consider a pending military request for up to 40,000 additional troops there.
“Success in Afghanistan is critical to regional stability and national security, and we must remain focused on this mission,” Gregg said. “If, as the White House has said, withdrawal is not an option, then it is imperative that we provide our commanders and courageous troops with the direction, resources, and reinforcements they need as soon as possible in order to accomplish their mission safely and effectively.”
The administration’s push to answer critics of its terrorism policies also comes on the heels of a recent high-profile arrest of two Afghan immigrants with reported links to al Qaeda, Najibullah and Mohammed Zazi. The arrests were billed as thwarting the biggest potential terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9-11.
As part of the administration’s attempt to promote its brand of counterterrorism, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano spoke to police chiefs in Colorado – Zazi’s hometown – and circulated a YouTube video narrated by former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway that outlines how all citizens can help fight terrorism. http://thecell.org/wp/8-signs-of-terrorism-video/
“...We will target al Qaeda wherever they take root; we will not yield in our pursuit; and we are developing the capacity and the cooperation to deny a safe haven to any who threaten America and its allies,” Obama said at the McLean, Va. center.”
Who’s “we”, kemosabe?
A speech... Instead of security he gives us a speech.
Just great. I feel safer already.
Not the same, but related. Tag team is good!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2356130/posts
This is a WaPo puffffff piece trying to make the djinn look good.
If it’s anything we need right now, it’s good speeches. Thankg God for President Zero!
How is this different than what President Bush did? I guess if you say it enough, it makes it true.
Thanks for linking.
Unfortunately Zer0 and the rest of us are probably going to find out the hard way that we can’t lead by example when it comes the Taliban, al Qaeda, all radical Muslims and people such as Putin, Ahmanutjob and Chavez.
This turkey we have for a president is not only naive but dangerously naive.
I think the difference is Zer0 wants to shake hands and make nice where Pres. Bush told them here’s the way it’s going to be. They may not have liked Bush for saying it but they didn’t laugh at him behind his back like they do Zer0.
He’s not naive. He is evil. He knows exactly what he;s doing. It’s a script and he follows it to the letter.
Bush respected the Agencies and the men and women trying to keep us safe. bam has no respect for anything and LESS for Patriots.
And this man will pull out of Afghanistan. Which will also become a pretty safe haven. As will northern Pakistan.
Sudan is a pretty safe haven. Venezuela is a pretty safe haven. (I could go on for pages...)
That is all he ever does, ever has done, or ever will do.
Talk is cheap.
Agree on both.
COULD THIS BE WHY HE IS PRAISING THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY NOW? ARIF ALIKHAN
Statement by Secretary Napolitano on President Obama’s Intent to Nominate David Heyman as Assistant Secretary for Policy and her Appointment of ARIF ALIKHAN as Assistant Secretary for Policy Development
Release Date: April 24, 2009
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
“Today, I am proud to make two key personnel announcements for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—President Obama’s intent to nominate David Heyman as Assistant Secretary for Policy and my appointment of Arif Alikhan as Assistant Secretary for Policy Development. Both individuals bring a broad and impressive array of experience in national security, emergency preparedness and counterterrorism to the Department.
David comes from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he founded and was Senior Fellow of the Homeland Security Program and led the Center’s programs on preventing, mitigating and responding to catastrophic terrorism and natural disasters. With more than 20 years of experience in government, the non-profit community and the private sector, he is a highly regarded expert in U.S. national security policy and international affairs.
Arif comes from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa’s office, where he served as Deputy Mayor for Homeland Security and Public Safety. As a key adviser to the Mayor, he has led the City’s efforts to develop homeland security, emergency management and law enforcement initiatives, including operational oversight of Los Angeles Police, Fire and Emergency Management departments. He is a former federal prosecutor and senior advisor to the U.S. Attorney General, and has partnered extensively with local, state and federal agencies,” said Secretary Napolitano.
MORE INFO HERE.
http://creepingsharia.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/obama-taps-muslim-for-top-job-at-federal-dhs/
During his years in Los Angeles, Alikhan was responsible for derailing the Police Department’s plan to monitor activities within the Los Angeles Muslim community, where numerous radical mosques and madrassas existed, and where some of the 9/11 hijackers had received support from local residents.
Strongly anti-Israel, Alikhan has referred to the terrorist organization Hezbollah as a “liberation movement.” An affiliate of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Alikhan opposed President George W. Bush’s prosecution of the war on Islamic terror.
I JUST WONDER HOW MANY AWFUL, DUMB, DANGEROUS APPOINTMENTS HE WILL MAKE BEFORE AMERICANS START TO DIE? (If I add in my opinion doesn’t that mean I still have free speech and can ask these questions??)
More information here about the links to terrorism among the islamic community!!!
http://www.investigativeproject.org/
Thanks for your posts.
People like these and scores of others he’s surrounded himself with are nothing more than pathetic anti-Americans. They will definitely cost lives and probably already have, IMO.
Just got this too!!!!!
Subject: FOX NEWS
This Sunday night at 8:00 PM central /9 PM Eastern. Fox News is going to air a very important documentary about Barack Obama, The report will go back to Obama’s earlier days, showing even then his close ties to radical Marxist professors, friends, spiritual advisers, etc. It will also reveal/detail his ties to Rev. Wright for 20+ yrs. How he was participating with this man, and not for the reasons he states!
The report has uncovered more of Obama’s radical past and we will see things that no one in the media is willing to put out there. It will be a segment to remember.
Mark your calendar and pass this on to everyone you know: Sunday night,
8 PM. CT; 9 PM ET. Democrat or Republican, this report will open your eyes to how YOUR country is being sold down the road to Totalitarian Socialism.
We can only hope that FCC does NOT shut down FOX NEWS before Sunday night show.
That sounds like a must see show and those are scarce.
Thanks, and I’d bet a reminder thread will be posted Sunday afternoon.
Let’s hope so, we need to make sure all AMERICANS SEE THIS!
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