Posted on 08/12/2006 12:07:22 AM PDT by FairOpinion
US President George W Bush has cautioned the threat from a plot to detonate liquid explosives on commercial flights may not have passed and denied Democratic charges he was trying to use the crisis for political gains in an election year.
"We believe that this week's arrests have significantly disrupted the threat," Bush said in his weekly radio address.
"Yet we cannot be sure that the threat has been eliminated."
British authorities arrested two dozen suspects for allegedly plotting to use liquid explosives to blow up airliners flying from Britain to the United States.
The arrests prompted the United States to raise its terror alert to the highest level ever and prompted airports to ban passengers from taking liquids, gels and creams on planes.
Bush, who returns to Washington after a 10-day working vacation at his ranch, urged air travelers to be patient with the stricter security measures.
"The inconveniences you will face are for your protection and they will give us time to adjust our screening procedures to meet the current threat," he said.
Democrats accused Vice President Dick Cheney of trying to use this week's arrests in Britain to Republican advantage in November congressional elections, which will determine whether Democrats or Republicans control the US Congress.
Cheney said on Wednesday the Democrats' defeat of Connecticut Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman in the state's primary because of his support of the Iraq war could embolden "al-Qaeda types."
Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said in a statement: "Once again, GOP (Republican) leaders are using terrorism and our national security as a political wedge issue. It is disgusting - but not surprising."
Bush said the suspected plot in Britain "reminds us of a hard fact: The terrorists have to succeed only once to achieve their goal of mass murder, while we have to succeed every time to stop them."
"Unfortunately, some have suggested recently that the terrorist threat is being used for partisan political advantage. We can have legitimate disagreements about the best way to fight the terrorists, yet there should be no disagreement about the dangers we face," he said.
Democrats in their weekly radio address charged Bush has shortchanged domestic security needs and the war on terror, and they blamed him for bungling the Iraq war.
Senator Mark Pryor of Arkansas said the administration's "poor management" in Iraq "has created a rallying cry for international terrorists" and "diverted our focus, our military and more than $US300 billion ($A391.41 billion) from the war on terrorism."
Pryor said US ports, borders and chemical plants remain unsecured, emergency personnel lack critical resources and the military, including the National Guard, was stretched.
"It's time for Washington to be tough and smart about the threats we face," he said. "Americans deserve real security, not just leaders who talk tough but fail to deliver."
He's clearly been working at it a very long time.....
(btw, THANKS for a great synopsis of what we are really up against).
BTTT
An ignorant fool who either doesn't know history .. or is trying to rewrite it
In other words, are they completely stupid, or are they just plain evil?
(I know, I know..........most of them are both......)
No one .... has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people." - Mencken
Since "his business" is the safety of the United States and her citizens, how is that giving the US citizens the reality about terror dynamics and public relations should be concealed?
Actually, democraps intend to 'protect you' by allowing the terrorists to slaughter some Americans every so often in their appeasement strategery ... the trick when democraps get back in control will be to live where the terrorists don't want to slaughter people because there aren't enough in one place or enough economic benefit. Which brings up the thought tat the people of NY and the NE in general seem too stupid to realize their beloved democrats are planning on baring their necks to appease the bastard murderers in the belief that civilization can talk these demonspawn into being peaceful! Think I'm off the mark?... Look what the fools of Conn. did to Lieberman in order to install the feckless Ned 'I love evryone' Lamont as their democrat candidate!
It's typical Rat antique metality: you're so dependent on us for handouts and social programs and so uninformed, we'll tell you what to think. And, then because you're so grateful for all the goodies we gave you through raised taxes, you'll vote for us.
btt
What great research about Kean having a business relationship with this financier of terror. This alone should have disqualified Kean from serving on that committee.
Now, how do we get the word out about this? I think it's vital that the malignant narcissists on that committee, Kean and Gorelick, are discredited.
Excellent, malia!
Thanks for the ping, Mo1.
W bump
You know...the real lefties came out first thing and accused Bush and Blair of "concocting" this plot to help them in the polls re: terrorism.
Well if we want to get really wacko conspiracy theorists..how about this::
The movie "World Trade Center" is opening this week..and WHO is the director? Oliver Stone, conspricacy theory type Hollywierdo...right??
Okay..he has this movie coming out ..and wants to make a LOT of money,...so he PAYS these Muslims to hatch his plot...but, not really...just enough to get busted the SAME WEEK Stone's movie premieres!!!
How about that?? Isn't that just as logical as the theories about Bush planning 9/11...and Bush/Blair planning this new one??
Now, why would the Democrats think they have something to lose whenever terrorism rises in the public's consciousness?
The return is water under the bridge so all it can be is sour grapes.
Priceless analogy to Rat mentality!!
LOL .. yeah, that's what V.P. Cheney is all about - sour grapes. BS. You must think he's as shallow in his thinking as you apparently are.
Maybe we can rush to the UN an negotiate a cease fire?
I think he might refrain from saying, in effect, "attaboy Slammies!" when a moderate political opponent goes down for an extremist political opponent. That would show some class. Some oblique statement such as "this administration intends to continue to work to defeat Islamofascism" would be much better.
Thank you....see I can think as goofy as the leftie...but, I am smart enough to know how ridiculous it is!
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