Posted on 01/02/2010 12:17:21 PM PST by onyx
Remarks of President Barack Obama Weekly Address January 2, 2010
It has now been more than a week since the attempted act of terrorism aboard that flight to Detroit on Christmas Day. On Thursday, I received the preliminary findings of the reviews that I ordered into our terrorist watchlist system and air travel screening. I've directed my counterterrorism and homeland security advisor at the White House, John Brennan, to lead these reviews going forward and to present the final results and recommendations to me in the days to come.
As I said this week, I will do everything in my power to make sure our hard-working men and women in our intelligence, law enforcement and homeland security communities have the tools and resources they need to keep America safe. This includes making sure these communities-and the people in them-are coordinating effectively and are held accountable at every level. And as President, that is what I will do.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the Christmas Day incident continues, and we're learning more about the suspect. We know that he traveled to Yemen, a country grappling with crushing poverty and deadly insurgencies. It appears that he joined an affiliate of al Qaeda, and that this group-al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula-trained him, equipped him with those explosives and directed him to attack that plane headed for America.
This is not the first time this group has targeted us. In recent years, they have bombed Yemeni government facilities and Western hotels, restaurants and embassies-including our embassy in 2008, killing one American. So, as President, I've made it a priority to strengthen our partnership with the Yemeni government-training and equipping their security forces, sharing intelligence and working with them to strike al Qaeda terrorists.
And even before Christmas Day, we had seen the results. Training camps have been struck; leaders eliminated; plots disrupted. And all those involved in the attempted act of terrorism on Christmas must know-you too will be held to account.
But these efforts are only part of a wider cause. It's been nearly a year since I stood on the steps of the U.S. Capitol and took the oath of office as your President. And with that oath came the solemn responsibility that I carry with me every moment of every day-the responsibility to protect the safety and security of the American people.
On that day I also made it very clear-our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred, and that we will do whatever it takes to defeat them and defend our country, even as we uphold the values that have always distinguished America among nations.
And make no mistake, that's exactly what we've been doing. It's why I refocused the fight-bringing to a responsible end the war in Iraq, which had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks, and dramatically increasing our resources in the region where al Qaeda is actually based, in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It's why I've set a clear and achievable mission-to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies and prevent their return to either country.
And it's why we've forged new partnerships, as in Yemen, and put unrelenting pressure on these extremists wherever they plot and train-from East Africa to Southeast Asia, from Europe to the Persian Gulf. And though often out of sight, our progress has been unmistakable. Along with our partners, we've disrupted terrorist financing, cut off recruiting chains, inflicted major losses on al Qaeda's leadership, thwarted plots here in the United States, and saved countless American lives.
Yet as the Christmas Day attempt illustrates, and as we were reminded this week by the sacrifices of more brave Americans in Afghanistan-including those seven dedicated men and women of the CIA-the hard work of protecting our nation is never done. So as our reviews continue, let us ask the questions that need to be asked. Let us make the changes that need to be made. Let us debate the best way to protect the country we all love. That is the right and responsibility of every American and every elected official.
But as we go forward, let us remember this-our adversaries are those who would attack our country, not our fellow Americans, not each other. Let's never forget what has always carried us through times of trial, including those attacks eight Septembers ago.
Instead of giving in to fear and cynicism, let's renew that timeless American spirit of resolve and confidence and optimism. Instead of succumbing to partisanship and division, let's summon the unity that this moment demands. Let's work together, with a seriousness of purpose, to do what must be done to keep our country safe.
As we begin this New Year, I cannot imagine a more fitting resolution to guide us-as a people and as a nation.
The audio and video will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov.
GTH, pantywaist POS.
If anyone believes one word POTUS Obama spoke, they must be smoking funny stuff or drinking Kool-Aid by the gallon. This protege of America hater Rev. Jeremiah Wright has not one iota of concern for the safety and security of the American people or our magnificent military personnel. God help us all!!!
Didn’t hear the word terrorist or terroism did you?
“I will do everything in my power”.
Well If “power” related to IQ, we are shit out of luck.
Gee, why do I not feel secure????? I do not believe a word the pretender says.
and saved countless American lives””””
Is that saved or created? Oh sorry that was jobs!
What a bunch of cr$%! from Our Dear Reader.
I 10
me 2
attack 2
terrorist 2
bomb 0
murder 0
Islam 0
Moslem 0
warned (in advance) 0
plan, planning, plans 0
Instead of giving in to fear and cynicism, let's renew that timeless American spirit of resolve and confidence and optimism. Instead of succumbing to partisanship and division, let's summon the unity that this moment demands. Let's work together, with a seriousness of purpose, to do what must be done to keep our country safe.
Let's work together? I'm all but certain he's not on our side!
All words and all BS. Obama is a liar, bigtme.
More lip service from Hussein. Tomorrow he will be back to his “Islam is a religion of peace” routine.
From thread below: “ABC News has learned that the bomber was invited into the heavily guarded camp as a possible informant, but wasn’t searched.
The bomber, who was dressed in an Afghan military uniform, was escorted to the gym for a meeting with a senior CIA debriefer, according to intelligence sources familiar with the incident. When the bomber was brought into the gym he blew himself up, killing seven and seriously injuring an additional six officers who had gathered there to wait for him.”
Like Clinton in `92 not wanting to “present too high a profile” in Mogadishu so that Rangers did without armor, I expect top commanders in Afghanistan were told not to subject our allies to any unnecessary indignities, such as `profiling’, e.g. searching them to see if they were walking claymore mines.
If it comes out that this was the case, the administration will find a `Les Aspin’ to fall on his own sword.
Oh, you counted. Excellent. Thanks, Diogenesis.
As Hitchens has said, how diabolical that Zero's crew has told travelers they won't be able to get up from their seats in the last hour of flight! It's such a comfort knowing that the debris will rain down on a Canadian city instead of an American one, as they slightly push forward their schedule! Actually, these bombers' handlers are optimally best off with the debris falling into the ocean, such that the fingers of blame back to them will be that much harder to find.
HF
OMG He said that today? As far as I am concerned he can ESAD.
My God. He needs to grow up. My 19 year old son (who once asked me if he needed to peel the egg before he boiled it) has more common sense than he has.
:-)
Obama talks tough in this speech, but his actions betray his words.
Namely, Obama has fought Congress on holding hearings on Nidal Hasan.
Namely, Obama has made the move to try KSM in NYC.
Obama may talk tough, but he cannot be trusted.
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