Bennett announces Americans for Victory Over Terrorism project to support America's war on terrorism

Americans for Victory Over Terrorism ^ | March 12 2002

[knighthawk]

Washington, DC, March 12, 2002 - Today at the National Press Club, former Secretary of Education William Bennett announced the creation of Americans for Victory Over Terrorism (AVOT).*

AVOT's objective is to sustain and strengthen American public opinion as the war on terrorism moves forward. AVOT will promote the democratic ideals of freedom, liberty, equality, and human rights-the very virtues terrorist groups and terrorist states wish to eradicate-and answer those who seek to erode our nation's resolve and commitment to fight and defeat the evil of terrorism.

In an effort to reach a nationwide audience, AVOT plans to host a series of teach-ins and lectures at some of America's most prestigious colleges and universities beginning in September, 2002. It will also use various media outlets to promote America's democratic ideals and to support the use of our military around the world in defense of those principles.

William Bennett, who will chair the project, was joined at today's press conference by two of AVOT's senior advisors: former Director of Central Intelligence James Woolsey and former Assistant Secretary of Defense Frank Gaffney.

Other senior advisors include: William Barr, former U.S. Attorney General; Walid Phares, Middle East scholar, author and professor at Florida Atlantic University; Ruth Wisse, author, scholar and professor at Harvard University; and Lawrence Kadish, philanthropist and financial advisor.

At the press conference, William Bennett, James Woolsey and Frank Gaffney discussed AVOT's overall principles and goals, which include:

· Educating the public about the nature and threat of terrorist organizations and states;

· Educating the public about the nature and threat of radical Islamism;

· Articulating American ideals in schools and on campuses;

· Supporting democratic patriotism when it is questioned; and

· Taking to task those groups and individuals who fundamentally misunderstand the nature of the war we are facing.

In a full-page ad that appeared in The New York Times "Week in Review" section on Sunday, March 10, 2002, William Bennett wrote an open letter about Americans for Victory Over Terrorism. In the letter, Bennett wrote:

"While support for US policies is at present very high, we believe that unless public opinion is reinforced, our national resolve will weaken over time. It is crucial that we maintain steady support within this nation, calling its citizens to the defense of its highest ideals and virtues. The terrorist threat, unless it is defeated, will not only consign freedom-loving states abroad to unremitting terror, but will bring more terror here at home. The war cannot be won without firm support from American citizens.

"The threats we face today are both external and internal: external in that there are groups and states that want to attack the United States; internal in that there are those who are attempting to use this opportunity to promulgate their agenda of 'blame America first.' Both threats stem from either a hatred for the American ideals of freedom and equality or a misunderstanding of those ideals and their practice. Our goal is to address the present threats so as to eradicate future terrorism and defeat ideologies that support it."

More information about Americans for Victory Over Terrorism can be found at www.avot.org.

AVOT is a project of EMPOWER.org

[knighthawk]

<A HREF="http://www.avot.orgAmericans for Victory Over Terrorism</A>

[knighthawk]

The link is: Americans for Victory Over Terrorism

[knighthawk]

Ping

[hgro]

This guy Bennett along with his shyster lawyer brother has been given a free ride on the back of taxpayers. My suggestion to Mr. Bennett is - try to find some productive work like digging ditches or sweeping streets which is a lot closer to your abilities.

[SteamshipTime]

Effective self-defense?

Firearms training?

Of course not. Private citizens are too dumb for that. Stand still and be educated!

[SouthCarolinaKit]

The two brothers are as different as day and night. I've never heard William try to use his fame for glory. He's primarily interested in education in the US and this is merely an extension, warrented, of that. The comment above sounds like it's from a liberal hate-monger!

[justshutupandtakeit]

Bennett has not been in public employment for over a decade in case you care anything for fact, which I tend to doubt from the load of steaming crap you just dumped. His brother is a lawyer who has been receiving his fees from crooked democrats and not the taxpayer either.

So, in short, your comment is false anyway you cut it.

[doug from upland]

Bill Bennett is one of the great speakers on morality. He had a number one book. Yes, his brother is a jerk, but your characterization of this good man is nonsense.

[hgro]

"Bill Bennett is one of the great speakers on morality. He had a number one book. Yes, his brother is a jerk, but your characterization of this good man is nonsense"

Sorry, Bill Bennett is a pompous jackass. He doesn't any have conservative principles in his agenda.

[hgro]

The only thing steaming in your commentary is your lack of insight into the Bennett boys agenda.

[hgro]

The only thing steaming in your commentary is your lack of insight into the Bennett boys agenda.

Did you ever hear of the saying - "Attack the messenger"?

[hgro]

Bill Bennett is and has been continually trying a make a dime from his "expertise". Anyone that thinks he is a conservative is smoking something strong.

From a conservative and proud of it.

[Libertarian Billy Graham]

SCK: The two brothers are as different as day and night.

He's right. One gets paid by the right wing faction of the spook-ocracy and the other gets paid by the left wing.

William Bennett, who will chair the project, was joined at today's press conference by two of AVOT's senior advisors: former Director of Central Intelligence James Woolsey

Who would have thought?

[justshutupandtakeit]

When the messenger is spreading a lie, I cheerfully attack.

Stop lying, I leave you alone.

The Bennett brothers are not on the public payroll so why lie about that? There is plenty to disagree with either one about, if that is your desire, but lying just makes you look well, like a liar.

[justshutupandtakeit]

What does any of that have to do with the initial lie posted by hgro that the Bennett brothers are "given a free ride on the backs of taxpayers?"

Why would you support that lie? What is the point of posting a lie like that? Are you claiming that this group or Bennett has been funded by the CIA?

[doug from upland]

I don't know that I ever responded to hgro before. After this exchange, I have determined he isn't worth the time.

[justshutupandtakeit]

If I limited my responses to those worth responding too that would eliminate about half my posts. Just think never responding to the inane half-truths of an OWK or the raving lunacy of other's like t-shirt and MurrayMom. Oh, the horror!

[doug from upland]

It was pointless to argue with MurryMom but it certainly was fun to mock her. That made the post worthwhile. I don't see the fun in trying to mock this clown.