From a press release:
“If you think about it, there are only about three or four ways to gain intelligence. We can do it by electronic surveillance, we do it by following the money, as it were, we do it by hearsay, or we do it by interrogating detainees. Unfortunately, I know it’s an election year, but unfortunately it seems like liberal Democrats are unwilling to do any of those things. Other than throwing powder puffs at terrorists, I don’t know what their plan is to defeat terrorism in the world.”
…
“We cannot pretend evil does not exist. Again, to bring in what might be considered some of the partisan circumstances, the fear I have is that somehow this moral neutrality will undermine our ability to fight terrorists. Recently one of the senior members of the Democratic caucus in our House of Representatives said to the effect ‘I don’t take sides for or against Hezbollah or for or against Israel.’ When you can’t distinguish between Hezbollah terrorists that murder innocent men, women, and children, and that blow themselves to pieces to murder others and when the mothers of these children that blow themselves up to kill others shout for joy, and when they take these prisoners and cut their heads off with a hacksaw blade while… the victim is screaming for mercy on the camera. If you can’t separate that from nations trying to defend their citizens, I would suggest to you that kind of moral nonsense—that kind of moral neutrality—is more dangerous to us than terrorism itself. If we cannot distinguish between good and evil in this country, then we’ve lost the war.”
Here Trent, I guess you didn’t bother to ask any Dems for their plan, otherwise you would have found this:
http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/03/real_security_t.php#flash
And the PDF here:
a9.g.akamai.net/7/9/8082/v001/democratic1.download.akamai.com/8082/pdfs/20060329_realsecurity.pdf
Of course this plan was never debated or discussed by the GOP, just dismissed and ridiculed.
Tim,
Saw a lot of generalizations, but no plan. They say what they will do, but not how they will do. If the Dems want me to vote for them, I want to know specifics. Not more empty promises. I spent 20 years in the military. Never saw an increase in military readiness or spending under either of the two Dems. Why should I believe they will start now? Both parties seem to be of the notion campaign promises are made to get elected, not kept.
Congressman Trent Frank says one of the senior members of the Democratic caucus “said to the effect . . . .” Congressman, why don’t you quote what the other member actually said, so we can read his/her own words for ourselves? Why don’t you put the quote in context, so we can see how the quote was related to the rest of his/her remarks? Why don’t you tell us who said it, so we can judge the character of the speaker? Why don’t you just give us the facts unaltered by your political partisanship and spin.
Ah, but how comforting it must be to Congressman Franks to see the world in black and white, as good or evil, devoid of gray. That’s the kind of moral clarity the President of the United States espouses, as well as President of Venezuela from a very different perspective!
The problem with those who claim moral clarity is that they usually misrepresent the positions of others and ignore the complexities of the human condition. They fostered misunderstanding between people and create unnecessary conflicts by posing false choices. Sadly, when our country and the world desperately needs some straight talk Congressman Franks gives us simplistic sophistry.
Yes, Congressman Franks it is “unfortunate” that it’s an election year. It’s unfortunate that polticians like you misrepresent the views of your fellow Americans for political advantage. It’s unfortunate that politicians like you drive wedges between us as citizens. It’s unfortunate that politicians like you so debase our political discourse that instead of bringing us together you pull us apart.
If Congressman Franks’ actions represent what our democracy is like, why on earth would we want to bring that to the Iraqi people? Don’t they have enough troubles already?
Kevin,
One thing you can count on is this administration has failed the great men and women of our military. Due to computer space on this web site, I will point out one that is a true testament to this negative approach! GW has and will continue to cut Veterans benefits!!! If there’s a need in the military, other than this administration being honest, this Commander in Chief has the obligation to take care of his soldiers! That is the right thing to do!!
Veterans for Change!!!!!!!!
Scott
“We cannot pretend evil does not exist. –Franks R-AZ”
It’s in the Whitehouse and in Congress that is why we have a constitution and international laws to protect us. This is why Bush and the Neocons want to remove those protections. I’m not afraid and I will not give up my freedoms to cowards.
Since when were Republicans interested in asking Democrats there plan? Seems only at election time. When did you last hear of ” Bipartisanship ” Been a long time huh.
Instead of Neocons saying what’s your plan.. how about as Americans we work together.
Bush “the Divider, not the Uniter”.
Defeat breeds more defeat. House Judiciary Committee rejects White House pro-torture bill.
Kevin O.,
What are you looking for? Do you want to see the text of the proposed security bills from the poiticians?
Do you think that the GOP has done everything it could to help secure us? Why are we having such problems securing ports, borders and airlines? You want to leave these incompetent boobs in office?
Why are vets running for office as Dems, in record numbers? With those “fighting Dems” in place, do you think our troops will be better equipped than they are now with so few Republican veterans in office?
Are you OK with unqualified cronies being hired to help reuild Iraq? NOLA?
You have two choices, more of the same or a change. I’ll take my chances as will 75% of the rest of the country polled yesterday that say the GOP has to go!
I have only touched on a few issues here but the list of reasons for change, not the least being the health and welfare of our citizens and our Constitution, is very long.
Could things be worse?
I love when he says what plan?
The same plan that has been succesful for 200+ years of American Army Inteligence.
By recruiting the best damn intelligence officers a nation has to offer, paying them well, and letting them do their jobs uninterupted.
Human inteligence, electronic survaliance, aquiring sources, leads and assets.
THAT Is how the Israelis defeat their enenmies and its what the CIA used to be about.
Trent Franks and anyone for that matter can start right there.
And Franks obvious ommission of my above post shows how out of touch and on GOP talking points he is.
“electronic surveillance, we do it by following the money, as it were, we do it by hearsay, or we do it by interrogating detainees.”
Those are NOT the only ways to collect intelligence,and a congressman pining about it should at least sound like he knows what hes talking about.
Spreading propaganda never worked, even for the Nazis in a day in age when they controlled at the media and it certainly won’t work now, not at least in the current form that the U.S Gov’t tries with these fake news shows.
What amateur hour.
The alleged British hijacking plot was foiled by a Muslim man walking into a police station and ratting out the conspirators. Since Bush rushed the arrest, I wonder if they have enough evidence to convict all of them?
Well, I think that Bill Murray would play a great Trent Franks. That pic kind of looks like him in Caddy Shack.
Bill Murray is way more handsome.
Scott,
Since I joined the military in 1979, every administration has cut Veteran benefits. What makes you think anyone is going to change that?
Tim O,
Yes, I want them to spell it out. I’m tired of empty promises from BOTH parties! Which poll are you refering to? Every one I’ve seen shows the public fed-up with incumbants. Both Republican and Democrat.
Tom,
The Dems were the ones to chop the legs out from under the CIA last time around.
Tom, regarding intelligence tactics: what is the difference between “electronic surveillance, we do it by following the money, as it were, we do it by hearsay, or we do it by interrogating detainees.” as Representative Franks said and “Human inteligence, electronic survaliance (sic), aquiring sources, leads and assets.” as you said??? Looks like you and Representative Franks are in agreement! The only difference (besides which one knows how to spell) is that hundreds of thousands of people voted for him and not for you…..
Some people know so little about the democratic process that it would surprise them that people of both parties actually sit in rooms days on end to discuss the finer points of each other’s plans. So it is entirely possible that Rep. Franks DOES know the details of the Democrats’ ‘plan’ and it is…whatever is opposite the Republicans!
Sound bites do not make one an expert on foreign policy….
Yeah, Brian (post #3), too bad Rep. Franks did not parrot the entire babbling speech of this confused, politically-correct puppet. If he just would have repeated the ENTIRE speech, in context mind you, maybe then that statement would have made sense. You think?
“To those who doubt, to those who ask is it possible, or those who do not believe, I say accomplishment of a world without America and Israel is both possible and feasible.”
– Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
“No army in the world is strong enough to disarm us.”
– Hezbollah terrorist leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, last week to
a “victory rally” of thousands of Hezbollah supporters.
But, then, maybe these statements were taken out of context…..Can’t you just see it, a love letter from Hez: “I Love you America, even if my imam said you are the great satan, I love you, I love you, I love you….PS (see above).