9/11 Families Say Bush Deficient in Terror Response

CNSNews ^ | 9/10/02 | Michael L. Betsch

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

The Bush administration could learn from Democrats in Congress about how to improve aviation security while maintaining civil liberties, according to a group composed of families of those who perished in the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks.

A report card issued Monday by the Homeland Security Alliance gives the Bush administration only a "C-" grade for the way it has handled aviation security and civil rights. The president of the alliance, Stephen Push, lost his wife on Sept. 11. She was aboard the plane that crashed into the Pentagon.

The alliance does believe the administration's performance in conducting the war on terrorism in Afghanistan has been exemplary.

Push said aviation security has improved little since 19 terrorists boarded four airplanes on Sept. 11 armed with crude weapons such as box cutters. One year later, "half of all weapons" and "two-thirds of all knives" still pass through airport screeners, he said.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has also failed to ensure that terrorists would be prevented from smuggling explosive devices onto airplanes, Push said. By his account, a terrorist could board a flight scheduled to make one or more transfers, plant an explosive device, and simply not return for the flight's next destination.

Push also faults the Bush administration and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for a "disturbing trend in the erosion of civil liberties."

He strongly disagrees with DOJ's practice of detaining "American citizens" suspected of plotting terror without possessing any hard evidence to convict them. Push said those terror suspects have been unjustly placed in isolation while officials searched for enough evidence to build a case against them.

He awarded high marks primarily to Democrats in Congress who support the formation of an independent commission to investigate the events that led up to Sept. 11, a concept the Bush administration opposes.

Reps. Tim Roemer (D-Ind.) and Christopher Smith (R-N.J.) each received an A+ from Push for their leadership in winning passage of an amendment to the Intelligence Authorization Bill that would create an independent commission to study the terrorist attacks.

In addition, Push awarded Roemer and Smith his organization's first annual Sept. 11th Homeland Security Award.

Sens. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) received the grade of "A" for introducing the Lieberman-McCain Independent Commission Bill (S. 1867) to establish the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States.

Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Robert Toricelli (D-N.J.) were also among those Push awarded the grade of "A" for their active support of the independent commission bill.

However, "active opposition" to the formation of an independent commission earned both Senate Minority Leader Trent (R-Miss.) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) the failing grade of "F".

Lott has voiced his opposition to the formation of an independent commission because of the time it would take for Congress to secure funding and select acceptable panel members. Once it was established, Lott said the commission would take months just to produce any findings.

Congress, Lott said, can ask and answer the same questions within its own intelligence committees.

Push disagrees, insisting, "Congress can't investigate itself."

Push is lobbying for an independent commission composed of a "blue ribbon" panel that has few government ties. He said those selected for the panel would be a "step removed" from the politics that abound in the intelligence committees that Lott supports.

Ninety-six percent of the families of Sept. 11 victims strongly support the formation of an independent commission, Push asserted, so they can truly know their loved ones "didn't die in vain."

[Texas_Jarhead]

By default Bush would be partly to blame for deficiencies but the lion's share falls in the lap of congress for federalizing security and diminishing the employment requirements. And let's not forget the good ole transportation secretary. the FAA still hasn't even approved the use of millions of $$$ in tasers that have already been purchased by the airlines.

[Cicero]

Two points. First, it's typical of the media to interview the one person out of several thousand who says what they want to hear.

Second, it's perfectly true that airline security has been badly handled. But the chief blame goes to Daschle, for unionizing airport security so none of them can be fired or held accountable.

Yes, Bush could have done better with airport security. But the Dems would have done it worse. In fact, there is a Dem in charge of the Transportation Department, and that's one of the main reasons why things have gone badly. Political correctness, refusal to profile, hopeless bureaucracy--all typical Democrat failings.

But Bush shares some of the blame. He is in charge. He has left an incompetent transportation secretary in place for fear of offending the Democrats. When Minetta was appointed it didn't seem an important job, but now it is. And Bush failed to veto Daschle's miserable airline security bill for fear of offending the liberal media. Now he pays the price, leaving himself vulnerable to foolish criticism of this kind.

[isthisnickcool]

I could not find any web page for "Homeland Security Alliance" or anything on Stephen Push and there is nobody with the last name Push listed as killed on CNN's site.

I'm sure this is on the "up-and-up" but a quick look at this story in the same manner I'd look at any other story like this yields very little on the organization or person involved. I wonder what "grade" they gave the Clinton Administration for their handling of "aviation security and civil rights"?

[freeperfromnj]

http://www.app.com/app2001/story/0,21133,614995,00.html

The Asbury Park Press in New Jersey also had a similar hit piece splashed across their front page this morning -- it was the major headline. Talk about poor taste. It's nothing but blatant Bush bashing the day before the anniversary and local elections. This paper serves the Middletown area where there were a lot of people lost. There is a group of widows blaming Bush and demanding an independent investigation. In the article they praise Torricelli for everything he's done and state how fortunate NJ is to have him. It's disgusting how they are politicizing this anniversary.

[newgeezer]

Push said aviation security has improved little since 19 terrorists boarded four airplanes on Sept. 11 armed with crude weapons such as box cutters. One year later, "half of all weapons" and "two-thirds of all knives" still pass through airport screeners, he said.

If the cabins are full of so-called "weapons," so what? Can the terrorists turn the planes into guided missiles? Are the doors barred, locked, virtually impenetrable?

My heart goes out to this guy but, I question his rationality.

[roses of sharon]

This guy was being interviewed RIGHT after the terrorist attack. He did not even seem sad.

He was VERY partisan then. I thought it strange that his wife just died, and he was complaining about Republicans.

[js1138]

This guy was being interviewed RIGHT after the terrorist attack. He did not even seem sad.

Your source?

[PhiKapMom]

Did you hear Rush yesterday? He read a lot of statements from the clintonites and Bush 41 officials that had them wanting to take out Sadaam in 1997-98 and those same people now want us to sit back and do nothing!

This article reads like one of the clintons wrote it!

[SwatTeam]

Go to Google and search his name. His wife's name was Lisa Raines. There are quite a few hits for hem. He is a professional PR type.

[hellinahandcart]

Stephen Push was in the news quite a bit after 9/11, but he was representing a group other than this "Homeland Security Alliance". I can't remember what it was called.

His wife had a different last name.

[roses of sharon]

MSNBC or CNN or both, I remember him distinctly, because he sounded so different from the rest. Sorry I don't know the dates. (for some reason I remember him standing by a tree, being interviewed)

[js1138]

You remember the name of one person interviewed a year ago?

[roses of sharon]

Yes, and I remember his face also. I recognized him this week when he was speaking before the National Press Club.

[isthisnickcool]

Go to Google and search his name. His wife's name was Lisa Raines. There are quite a few hits for hem. He is a professional PR type.

I did a google search. But didn't wade thru everything. Thanks!

Poor fellow did lose his wife. May she rest in peace.

Looks like she supported Reps. and Dems.:

RAINES, LISA GREAT FALLS, VA 22066 GENZYME/SENIOR VP 6/26/2001 $250 Brady, Kevin

RAINES, LISA J GREAT FALLS, VA 22066 8/14/2001 $500 Baucus, Max

RAINES, LISA J GREAT FALLS, VA 22066 GENZYME CORP./SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT 6/27/2001 $500 Rangel, Charles B

[hellinahandcart]

You remember the name of one person interviewed a year ago?

So do I. As I said, he's been in the news a LOT during the past year.

Why would it surprise you? I also remember Sally "My son was killed by a building" Regenhard. In fact, a hell of a lot of people's names were burned into my memory last year, whether I want it that way or not.

But don't take our word for it. Do a google on Stephen Push. I got 725 entries.

Oh, and his previous organizations was familiesofseptember11.org