Bush: Weak terror response led to 9/11 (Bush hits back at Clinton)

UPI ^ | 9/22/05

[Uncle Joe Cannon]

Bush: Weak terror response led to 9/11

Sep 22, 2005, 19:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC, United States (UPI) -- President Bush said withdrawing from Iraq would be a mistake that would embolden terrorists just as U.S. responses to other attacks led to 9/11 hijackings.

Speaking Thursday at the Pentagon after an update on the war on terror, Bush said a pullback would be seen as weakness and make the United States less safe.

'The terrorists saw our response to the hostage crisis in Iran, the bombings in the Marine barracks in Lebanon, the first World Trade Center attack, the killing of American soldiers in Somalia, the destruction of two U.S. embassies in Africa and the attack on the USS Cole,' Bush said. 'The terrorists concluded that we lacked the courage and character to defend ourselves and so they attacked us.'

It was the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, carried out by al-Qaida operatives, that led Bush to launch the war on terror with an attack on Afghanistan, where al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden had been given sanctuary. Bush links the fighting in Iraq with the war on terror.

The president said the plan is to follow a strategy of making political gains in the affected counties, while training local personnel to assume security operations.

[hophead]

Is this from ScrappleFace or The Onion? He can't be growing a backbone now.

[PatriotGirl827]

I'm so glad he stood up for himself. Very refreshing!

[skeeter]

Bush said. 'The terrorists concluded that we lacked the courage and character to defend ourselves and so they attacked us.'

Tough to argue with that.

But I'm sure the 'toon will, and with gusto.

[popdonnelly]

Thanks to President Bush for stating what should be obvious, and evidently isn't.

[cubreporter]

I was sitting in my kitchen drinking a cup of hot coffee when President Bush made that statment and I CHEERED! I said out loud and LOUD: "Good for YOU George.!!!!" He's right. clintin stood by and diddled all those times we were attacked. Bush was right to call him on it. I LOVED it. Take that clintin...you jerk!

[2banana]

'The terrorists saw our response to the hostage crisis in Iran, the bombings in the Marine barracks in Lebanon, the first World Trade Center attack, the killing of American soldiers in Somalia, the destruction of two U.S. embassies in Africa and the attack on the USS Cole,' Bush said. 'The terrorists concluded that we lacked the courage and character to defend ourselves and so they attacked us.'

Bold equals what happened on Clinton's watch...

[Lucky2]

Finally, he spoke up and defended himself! I didn't think we'd ever see it!

[Irish Eyes]

'The terrorists saw our response to the hostage crisis in Iran, the bombings in the Marine barracks in Lebanon, the first World Trade Center attack, the killing of American soldiers in Somalia, the destruction of two U.S. embassies in Africa and the attack on the USS Cole,' Bush said. 'The terrorists concluded that we lacked the courage and character to defend ourselves and so they attacked us.'

YES !!

[TomGuy]

'bout time!

Could have been a tad stronger -- tell ole BJ to get off the stage and stay in retirement.

[samadams2000]

Ok mr. open border, fight a pc war mr. man!!!!

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

'The terrorists concluded that we lacked the courage and character to defend ourselves and so they attacked us.'

He's starting to sound like the man we voted for again.

[Jim Robinson]

Peace through superior firepower!

Or another way of saying it:

George W. Bush... Saving your ass whether you like it or not!

[Doc Savage]

Now how about, "No money for Katrina", "No money for Rita","I've ordered our troops to secure the Mexican and Canadian borders", I will never again appoint Bill Clinton to anything", "I've asked Julie Myers to withdraw", Either the Saudis play ball, or well take the oil we need", I've today ordered the execution of Saddam Hussein and all prisoners in Gitmo", "Terrorize our country and kiss Mecca goodbye", "Iran is next, then Syria!"

[Soul Seeker]

'The terrorists saw our response to the hostage crisis in Iran, the bombings in the Marine barracks in Lebanon, the first World Trade Center attack, the killing of American soldiers in Somalia, the destruction of two U.S. embassies in Africa and the attack on the USS Cole,' Bush said. 'The terrorists concluded that we lacked the courage and character to defend ourselves and so they attacked us.'

This encompasses Carter, Reagan and Clinton but if you look at it the majority were under Clinton. I'd say a dash of Truth from intended by him to be introduced to the fiction of media accounts, but clearly detailing the extent to which this happened under Clinton is a shot back.

[Quilla]

I was sitting in my kitchen drinking a cup of hot coffee when President Bush made that statment and I CHEERED! I said out loud and LOUD: "Good for YOU George.!!!!"

I was only able to read the words here, yet I still had chills all over. Agreed - way to go Mr. President.

[SunnyD1182]

Wow. He actually struck back against Clinton. Hell has frozen over.

[doug from upland]

IT IS ABOUT FREAKING TIME!

[Solamente]

Next, I want to see him stand up for himself and FEMA, and set the record straight!

I love Dubya, but he's turned the other cheek too many times.

Screw the New Tone!

[kimosabe31]

bump