Have they forgotten that it was the Republicans who were in [...]]]> In every poll taken since 9/11, Americans say they STILL view Republicans as the party better able to deal with terrorism and a national crisis, confirming (as if there were any doubt) that voters either suffer from severe amnesia, or else they are monumentally stupid.

Have they forgotten that it was the Republicans who were in charge when the terrorists struck on 9/11? That it was the Republicans who decided to invade Iraq, even though Bin Laden and the Taliban were in Afghanistan? That it was a Republican administration that grossly mismanaged that war? That it’s Republicans who have failed to protect our ports? And that it was Republicans who ignored the warnings in the days before Hurricane Katrina, and who then failed to organize an effective rescue effort?

In the face of such a dismal record, how can rational, objective people believe that Republicans, as opposed to Democrats, are better able to handle a national security crisis and are better at protecting America?

Wait. I see that that question answers itself.

But, the real threat continues [...]]]> Even now, over six years after 9/11, the President still can not correctly prioritize his foreign policy. After a brief but successful military campaign in Afghanistan, the administration quickly shifted the focus to Iraq and more recently, has attempted to broker a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

But, the real threat continues to remain Al Qaeda and its supporters in the Taliban. After another attack in Kabul, will the President and his team get the message about where we should be pouring our tax dollars and soldiers? The recent announcement that approximately 7,500 additional troops will be sent to the region sounds eerily reminiscent of another “surge,” an admission that war on the cheap is impossible and requires a shared national sacrifice. It once meant something to Americans when we sent young men and women across the world to fight for us. Now, pandering to a political base and increasing profits for campaign contributors are the real American ideals.

Will our next President implement a more effective strategy to protect us from Al Qaeda?

Six years ago, the United States had a chance to completely dismantle the Al Qaeda terror network and its supporters within the Afghan Taliban government behind a worldwide coalition sympathetic for the 2,754 [...]]]> “We have the evidence that al-Qaida and Taliban were behind the suicide attack on Benazir Bhutto,” Pakistan’s Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz said.

Six years ago, the United States had a chance to completely dismantle the Al Qaeda terror network and its supporters within the Afghan Taliban government behind a worldwide coalition sympathetic for the 2,754 Americans that were murdered on 9/11. Instead, we chose to attack a completely unrelated nation and took our eye off the ball. Now, we have only thousands of more dead Americans, hundreds of billions of dollars lost and an Iraqi civil war to show for it.

Bhutto’s death is a direct result of the Bush administration’s incompetence in foreign policy. In case you are keeping score at home, the terrorists are winning and if you think we have managed to thwart additional attacks here in the United States because of our federal government’s policies, you are mistaken. Waterboarding, warrantless surveillance and the entire Department of Homeland Security have done absolutely nothing to increase our safety.

Al Qaeda has regrouped, they are as powerful as they were before 9/11 and have used our seemingly endless presence in Iraq as their most effective recruiting tool. For those that seek to kill us, their mission is truly accomplished. The only thing left for these nuts to do is to send the White House a Thank You card for doing their job for them. This is not fear mongering, this is reality.

Members of the Bush administration still do not understand that people in foreign lands do not want to be told what to [...]]]> “Certainly, we condemn the attack on this rally. It demonstrates that there are still those in Pakistan who want to subvert reconciliation and efforts to advance democracy,” said deputy State Department spokesman Tom Casey.

Members of the Bush administration still do not understand that people in foreign lands do not want to be told what to do by the United States. Once again, Bush goes on vacation and terrorists successfully attack. Apparently, $10 billion in foreign aid doesn’t buy what it used to.

Higher prices for gasoline and home heating oil, stock market volatility and rising mortgage foreclosures all account for some of the pessimism.

If this trend continues, prepare [...]]]>

Americans have turned markedly gloomier about the economy in recent months, a shift that is reshaping a presidential campaign long dominated by the war in Iraq and national security concerns.

Higher prices for gasoline and home heating oil, stock market volatility and rising mortgage foreclosures all account for some of the pessimism.

If this trend continues, prepare for Republicans to return the focus to fear mongering, “supporting the troops” and 9/11 – right up Rudy’s alley.