Conclusions
The most important thing for the US government to do is to fix the intelligence problems that led to the 9/11 attacks. It should be the heart-felt desire of EVERY elected official, Republican or Democrat, to make sure our way of life remains secure. It is definitely not the time to try to use the Commission’s recommendations to score partisan political points. It’s time for our elected representatives and senators to do their job. I am contacting my representative and senators to let them know how I feel, and I hope you do the same.
Even before the 9/11 Commission’s final report, Conservative Democratic Senator Zell Miller recognized the divisiveness that the Commission’s hearings were creating, and how this was not only hurting the chances for true bipartisan reform, but also sending the wrong message to our enemies and our troops. While his comments related to dredging up the past for political gain, they remain relevant to the political discussion regarding implementation of the Commission’s recommendations. I leave you today with a brief excerpt from Senator Miller’s March 30, 2004 speech, as only he can say it:
Quote:
“…Tragically, these hearings have proved to be a very divisive diversion for this country. Tragically, they have devoured valuable time looking backward instead of looking forward. Can you imagine handling the attack on Pearl Harbor this way?… Some partisans tried that ploy, but they were soon quieted by the patriots who understood how important it was to get on with the war and take the battle to America 's enemies and not dwell on what FDR knew, when. You see, back then the highest priority was to win a war, not to win an election.
…A congressional hearing in Washington, DC is the ultimate aphrodisiac for political groupies and partisan punks. But it is not the groupies, punks, and television-sotted American public that I am worried about…No, it is the real enemies of America that I am concerned about. These evil killers who right now are gleefully watching the shrill partisan finger-pointing of these hearings and grinning like a mule eating briars.
Chances are very good that these evil enemies of America will attempt to influence our 2004 election in a similar dramatic way as they did Spain’s. And to think that could never be in this country is to stick your head in the sand.
…That is why the sooner we stop this endless bickering over the past and join together to prepare for the future, the better off this country will be. There are some things--whether this city believes it or not--that are just more important than political campaigns. The recent past is so ripe for political second-guessing, ``gotcha,'' and Monday morning quarterbacking. And it is so tempting in an election year. We should not allow ourselves to indulge that temptation. We should put our country first.”
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Amen, Brother Zell, preach on!
Very best regards,
Gary D. Halbert
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Copyright 2004 Gary D. Halbert.