Calling it ‘war’, Obama pegs Christmas Day attack to Al Qaeda ( calls for national unity )

Christian Science Monitor ^ | January 2, 2010 | Patrik Jonsson Staff writer

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Responding to critics of what is seen as his measured approach, Obama says the “nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred." He calls for national unity.

Atlanta

In his first Saturday morning address of the New Year, President Obama acknowledged an international terror syndicate – Al Qaeda – has struck the US on his watch.

Coming after days of political acrimony that stood in sharp contrast to the national solidarity shown after 9/11, Mr. Obama said Saturday that a Yemeni affiliate of Al Qaeda trained the suspect and “equipped him with … explosives and directed him to attack [the plane] headed for America.” He added that he thinks of the security of the US “every moment of every day.”

The move does two things. Obama reframes the attack, in essence taking responsibility for the ability of Al Qaeda to maneuver past US airline security defenses. The President has ordered at least two investigations that are expected to report back within days. But the tougher language also addresses growing political unease with the President’s careful approach to the conflict formerly known as the war on terror.

'This moment demands unity'

In his Saturday address, Obama asked politicians and the American people to forego not debate, but partisanship, saying that unity as a nation is what “this moment demands.”

Former CIA agent Kent Clizbe, an outspoken Obama critic, said in an interview last week that the attack means the President will be forced to acknowledge the “reality” of international terror versus the “fantasy” version: Obama's strategy, as Clizbe sees it, of humbling America before the world to ease recruitment and activity among Islamic extremists.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thought he was in Australia...not so:

Terror suspect attended Aussie-run university ...in Dubai

[Owl558]

“... he really cares and is thinking about our security “every moment.”

My favorite is Obama pledging not to rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice -— while on vacation!!!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

[lonestar]

POTUS is an incompetent idiot!

[Jeff Chandler]

The conflict formerly known as the war on terror

[Marine_Uncle]

My muslim religion....errr yeah.... my Christian religion. With this guy like BJClinton one will never really know what he thinks are plans to do regardless of what he may say.