09/11/07

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Profile Jon (nanoreid)
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Message 638839 - Posted: 11 Sep 2007, 14:26:03 UTC

I will be absent from the politics threads today.

See you guys tomorrow.
Hopefully the cosmos is not trying to reverse the charges.
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Message 639134 - Posted: 12 Sep 2007, 0:50:23 UTC

We will never forget.









"I'm trying to maintain a shred of dignity in this world." - Me

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Message 639186 - Posted: 12 Sep 2007, 2:52:57 UTC

U.S. faces uncertain future 6 years after attacks

San Diego Union-Tribune editorial

September 11, 2007

Six years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, Americans can find encouragement in the fact that no other major assaults have occurred in this country. But recently foiled plots in Britain, Germany and Denmark provide a grim warning that al-Qaeda remains a potent international threat, regardless of Osama bin Laden's diminished capacity.

Meantime, Gen. David Petraeus' testimony to Congress yesterday intensified the gathering national debate over the Iraq war, a conflict that President Bush almost certainly would not have initiated had the Sept. 11 attacks never occurred. Thus the sectarian strife in Iraq – and the search for a way to extricate U.S. forces from it – is as much a legacy of 9/11 as the war in Afghanistan and the international community's broad anti-terrorism campaign.

In remarks to a Senate committee yesterday, National Counter Terrorism Center Director John Scott Redd stated the obvious: “We are safer than we were on September the 11th, 2001. But we are not safe, and nor are we likely to be for a generation or more.”

America is confronted with an uncertain future, both in Iraq and on the terror front.

It is far from clear that Gen. Petraeus and President Bush can persuade Congress to sustain the military surge in Iraq for another year. Yet the potential security threats arising from an American pullout are just as real as the continuing losses of U.S. forces in Iraq's open-ended civil war. And al-Qaeda remains determined, according to FBI Director Robert Mueller, to infiltrate the United States once again with terror operatives.

For now all we can know for sure is that the full historical consequences of what occurred on this day six years ago are still to play out.
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Message 639187 - Posted: 12 Sep 2007, 2:53:51 UTC

The enduring threat

By Thomas H. Kean and Lee H. Hamilton

September 11, 2007

Are we safer today?

Two years ago, we and our colleagues issued a report card to assess the U.S. government's progress on the bipartisan recommendations in the 9/11 Commission report. We concluded that the nation was not safe enough. Our judgment remains the same today: We still lack a sense of urgency in the face of grave danger.

The U.S. homeland confronts a “persistent and evolving terrorist threat,” especially from al-Qaeda, according to a National Intelligence Estimate in July. Six years after the attacks, in the wake of a series of ambitious reforms carried out by dedicated officials, how is it possible that the threat remains so dire?

The answer stems from a mixed record of reform, a lack of focus and a resilient foe. Progress at home – in our ability to detect, prevent and respond to terrorist attacks – has been difficult, incomplete and slow, but it has been real.

Outside our borders, however, the threat of failure looms. We face a rising tide of radicalization and rage in the Muslim world – a trend to which our own actions have contributed. The enduring threat is not Osama bin Laden but young Muslims with no jobs and no hope, who are angry with their own governments and increasingly see the United States as an enemy of Islam.

Four years ago, then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld famously asked his advisers: “Are we capturing, killing or deterring and dissuading more terrorists every day than the madrassas and the radical clerics are recruiting, training and deploying against us?”

The answer is no. Our report warned that it was imperative to eliminate terrorist sanctuaries. But inside Pakistan, al-Qaeda “has protected or regenerated key elements of its homeland attack capability,” according to the National Intelligence Estimate. The chief threat to Afghanistan's young democracy comes from across the Pakistani border, from the resurgent Taliban. Pakistan should take the lead in closing Taliban camps and rooting out al-Qaeda. But the United States must act if Pakistan will not.

We are also failing in the struggle of ideas. We have not been persuasive in enlisting the energy and sympathy of the world's 1.3 billion Muslims against the extremist threat. That is not because of who we are: Polling data consistently show strong support in the Muslim world for American values, including our political system and respect for human rights, liberty and equality. Rather, U.S. policy choices have undermined support.

No word is more poisonous to the reputation of the United States than Guantánamo. Fundamental justice requires a fair legal process before the U.S. government detains people for significant periods of time, and the president and Congress have not provided one. Guantánamo Bay should be closed now. The 9/11 Commission recommended developing a “coalition approach” for the detention and treatment of terrorists – a policy that would be legally sustainable, internationally viable and far better for U.S. credibility.

Moreover, no question inflames public opinion in the Muslim world more than the Arab-Israeli dispute. To empower Muslim moderates, we must take away the extremists' most potent grievance: the charge that the United States does not care about the Palestinians. A vigorous diplomatic effort, with the visible, active support of the president, would bolster America's prestige and influence – and offer the best prospect for Israel's long-term security.

And finally, no conflict drains more time, attention, blood, treasure and support from our worldwide counterterrorism efforts than the war in Iraq. It has become a powerful recruiting and training tool for al-Qaeda.

Beyond all our problems in the Muslim world, we must not neglect the most dangerous threat of all. The 9/11 Commission urged a “maximum effort” to prevent the nightmare scenario: a nuclear weapon in the hands of terrorists. The recent National Intelligence Estimate says al-Qaeda will continue to try to acquire weapons of mass destruction and would not hesitate to use them. But our response to the threat of nuclear terrorism has been lip service and little action.

At home, the situation is less dire, but progress has been limited.

Some badly needed structures have been built. In 2004, Congress created a director of national intelligence to unify the efforts of the 16 agencies that make up the U.S. intelligence community. The new DNI, Mike McConnell, must now take charge and become the dynamic, bold leader the commission envisioned, rather than just another bureaucratic layer. He has recognized the importance of sharing intelligence, of moving from a culture based on the “need to know” to one based on the need to share, as we recommended in our report. But he is still struggling to gain control of budgets and personnel.

Congress also created the National Counterterrorism Center, where CIA analysts, FBI agents and other experts from across the government sit side by side and share intelligence continuously. This is a clear improvement over the pre-9/11 way of doing business, but those inside the center still face restrictions on what they can share with their home agency – a disturbing echo of failed practices. State and local officials also complain that they are not getting the information they need.

In 2004, George Tenet, then the director of central intelligence, testified it would take five years to fix the CIA. Three years later, we have seen signs of progress, but it is not fixed yet. Flush with resources, the CIA is investing heavily in the training of intelligence analysts and improving its ability to collect information on terrorist targets, particularly by agents on the ground. Disappointingly, despite recruitment drives, only 8 percent of the CIA's new hires have the ethnic backgrounds and language skills most needed for counterterrorism.

A wider problem is that, because of intelligence failures (notably involving Iraq and 9/11) and controversial policies (notably about abuse and interrogation), the public lacks confidence in the CIA. We recognize that intelligence agencies must keep many secrets, but more candor and openness are the only ways to win sustained public support for the reforms we still need.

The FBI, the agency responsible for domestic intelligence, also has much more to do. The number of bureau intelligence analysts has more than doubled since Sept. 11, 2001 (to about 2,100), but they are still second-class citizens in the FBI's law enforcement culture. Modern information systems are not yet in place, and top positions are turning over too often. Six years after 9/11, the FBI's essential unit on weapons of mass destruction is just beginning its work.

When it comes to transportation security – the failure so basic to 9/11 – we have seen some successes. For example, the Terrorist Screening Center, a football field-size room filled with a giant electronic board and dozens of experts, tracks the flight manifests of 2,500 international flights arriving in the United States each day. But the prescreening of passengers is still left to the airlines, which lack access to complete watch lists of suspected terrorists. Congress mandated national standards for secure driver's licenses but has not given states the money to make it happen. Moreover, technological improvement has been far too slow. A pilot program of high-tech, explosive-detecting “puffer devices” at airports is of doubtful effectiveness and has been delayed indefinitely. Advanced baggage-screening systems will not be in place until 2024.

Congress passed a better formula for distributing federal homeland security grants to the states on the basis of risk and vulnerability, rather than pork and politics. But the new law still allows the broadcast industry until February 2009 to hand over the prime slice of the broadcast spectrum that police and firefighters need to beam radio messages through concrete and steel. Disaster could well strike before then.

We also lack a legal framework for fighting terrorism without sacrificing civil liberties. The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, created in response to our recommendations, has been missing in action. The board has raised no objections to wiretaps without warrants and to troubling detention and interrogation practices. It even let the White House edit its annual report.

Finally, there's the question of Congress. Congressional oversight of homeland security and intelligence must be robust and effective. It is not. Three years ago, the 9/11 Commission noted that the Department of Homeland Security reported to 88 congressional committees and subcommittees – a major drain on senior management and a source of contradictory guidance. After halfhearted reforms followed by steps backward, that number is now 86.

Those are just the main items on our list of concerns. Six years later, we are safer in a narrow sense: We have not been attacked, and our defenses are better. But we have become distracted and complacent. We call on the presidential candidates to spell out how they would organize their administrations and act urgently to address the threat. And we call on ordinary citizens to demand more leadership from our elected representatives. The terrible losses our country suffered on Sept. 11, 2001, should have catalyzed efforts to create an America that is safer, stronger and wiser. We still have a long way to go.

- Kean and Hamilton are the former chairman and vice chairman of the 9/11 commission. This article was adapted from The Washington Post.
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Message 639246 - Posted: 12 Sep 2007, 4:43:51 UTC
Last modified: 12 Sep 2007, 4:57:10 UTC

Oh lookie, we're 'mourning' again... But wait, why no mention of the victims or the heros... ;)

(You two should have known that I'd have to put in my 2 pennies worth.)
It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .
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Message 639267 - Posted: 12 Sep 2007, 5:41:21 UTC - in response to Message 639246.  

But wait, why no mention of the victims or the heros... ;)

Because you are neither. ;)
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Message 639473 - Posted: 12 Sep 2007, 14:54:58 UTC - in response to Message 639267.  

But wait, why no mention of the victims or the heros... ;)

Because you are neither. ;)

Oooooo. Misfit tops .
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I did NOT authorize this belly writing!

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Message 639582 - Posted: 12 Sep 2007, 19:01:31 UTC - in response to Message 639246.  

Oh lookie, we're 'mourning' again... But wait, why no mention of the victims or the heros... ;)

(You two should have known that I'd have to put in my 2 pennies worth.)[/size]

And everyone knows that it wasn't worth even 1/100th of that... ;)

Cordially,
Rush

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Remove the obvious...
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Message 639944 - Posted: 13 Sep 2007, 1:15:12 UTC - in response to Message 639267.  

Because you are neither.

I speak the truth and expose the lies... In todays society, that makes me a 'terrorist'... ;)
It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .
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Message 639957 - Posted: 13 Sep 2007, 1:35:06 UTC - in response to Message 639944.  

Because you are neither.

I speak the truth and expose the lies... In todays society, that makes me a 'terrorist'... ;)


Jeffey, people don't like you because you hate openly Jews...and advocate the destruction of America and Western Civilization because your religion tells you to. I'm surprised the Admins have let you get away with this nonsense for so long.

You routineley advocate murder, racism, extinguishment of Jews , and other assorted nonsense in accordance with your view of the Q'uran.


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I did NOT authorize this belly writing!

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Message 639980 - Posted: 13 Sep 2007, 2:16:14 UTC
Last modified: 13 Sep 2007, 2:20:43 UTC

I'm surprised the Admins have let you get away with this nonsense for so long.

Ditto... ;)

(Actually, I'm not surprised at all.)
It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .
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Message 639986 - Posted: 13 Sep 2007, 2:28:37 UTC - in response to Message 639980.  

What he means to say is your views are not noodley.
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Message 640016 - Posted: 13 Sep 2007, 3:13:39 UTC

Nor Kosher...but glatt treyf...like pork.
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Message 640088 - Posted: 13 Sep 2007, 4:47:04 UTC - in response to Message 640016.  

Nor Kosher...but glatt treyf...like pork.

Yes,....not Noodly at all. But I'm a big boy and not likely to complain. Carry on.
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Message 640227 - Posted: 13 Sep 2007, 13:17:40 UTC - in response to Message 640016.  

Nor Kosher...but glatt treyf...like pork.


Ummmm. Pork.
Hopefully the cosmos is not trying to reverse the charges.
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Message 640400 - Posted: 13 Sep 2007, 17:45:41 UTC - in response to Message 639944.  
Last modified: 13 Sep 2007, 17:46:10 UTC

Because you are neither.

I speak the truth and expose the lies... In todays society, that makes me a 'terrorist'... ;)

Take heart...if Jesus were alive today he would be considered a terrorist too.

(that..and a surprisingly old geezer)
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Message 640404 - Posted: 13 Sep 2007, 17:56:10 UTC - in response to Message 640400.  

Because you are neither.

I speak the truth and expose the lies... In todays society, that makes me a 'terrorist'... ;)

Take heart...if Jesus were alive today he would be considered a terrorist too.

(that..and a surprisingly old geezer)


We are all terrorists. The difference is most of us don't act on those impulses (unless you count Halo and GoW).
Hopefully the cosmos is not trying to reverse the charges.
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Message 640443 - Posted: 13 Sep 2007, 19:01:23 UTC - in response to Message 640400.  
Last modified: 13 Sep 2007, 19:01:32 UTC

Because you are neither.

I speak the truth and expose the lies... In todays society, that makes me a 'terrorist'... ;)

Take heart...if Jesus were alive today he would be considered a terrorist too.

(that..and a surprisingly old geezer)

No, just a Communist.
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Message 641734 - Posted: 15 Sep 2007, 9:33:59 UTC - in response to Message 640443.  


@ Fuzzy & Misfit

Nice posts, Thanks.

Regards

PJ
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Message 641767 - Posted: 15 Sep 2007, 13:13:03 UTC - in response to Message 639957.  

Jeffey, people don't like you because you hate openly Jews...and advocate the destruction of America and Western Civilization because your religion tells you to. I'm surprised the Admins have let you get away with this nonsense for so long.

You routineley advocate murder, racism, extinguishment of Jews , and other assorted nonsense in accordance with your view of the Q'uran.



I haven't seen Jeffrey advocate all of this anywhere. Seems to me to be a pretty slanderous statement.
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Message boards : Politics : 09/11/07


 
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