Leahy On Plane Plot: Diversion To Iraq Created Breeding Ground For Terror

8/10/2006 4:16:00 PM

Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy on the Foiling of the British Airline Terror Plot

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=70590

Contact: David Carle of the Office of Sen. Patrick Leahy, 202-224-3693

MONTPELIER, Vt., Aug. 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is a statement from Sen. Patrick Leahy on the British airline terror plot:

"All of us as Americans are grateful to British authorities for disrupting a plot that endangered the citizens of both our countries. I also commend the FBI professionals and others for their close and expert cooperation in this investigation.

"This episode and the upcoming five-year anniversary of the attacks of 9/11 are reminders that there is little margin for error in countering terrorism. We need to refocus our attention and resources to eliminate the misdirection and mismanagement that too often divert us from the goal of protecting the American people.

"Imagine how different our situation would be today if we had not shifted our elite forces from Afghanistan to Iraq at the critical moment when we were close to finding Osama bin Laden. In the years since then the Iraq war has stretched our military to the breaking point, sapped hundreds of billions of dollars, and preoccupied our attention. The White House has even disbanded the intelligence unit that for years was dedicated to tracking down Osama bin Laden. The diversion to Iraq has only succeeded in creating a new breeding ground for terrorists and in emboldening the rogue states that harbor and supply them. Starting an unnecessary war in Iraq has not made us more secure, but less secure.

"We are at our best when we meet the threat of terrorism not with fear but with facts and determination. Let us set a new direction to counter terrorism on our own terms, with American skill and with American values."

I have too. With all the distractions from the plane plot deniars, we haven't been able to have much discussion of the real issues, which Leahy captured perfectly.

There's nothing nervous or equivocal about it. I am, as always, grateful that Pat's my Senator.

This type of statement needs to be shouted from the rooftops from all the Dems right now.
Yeah, Osama "don't think about him much" says the chimp.
sending Leahy's statement off to my e-mail address book.
:kick: and R

the dems on the same page. This is indeed the message we need to be broadcasting. And it needs to be in this type of simple language.

just came out with a similar strong statement.
He suggested that the pResident get back to DC and do his JOB and oh, yes, Osama is still on the loose.
Keep it up you guys.

I think Leahy's is light years better. He doesn't bother with political posturing, he just says it straight.

He doesn't bat 1.000, but he's a hometown slugger, and I'm proud today he's a Democratic Senator. :kick:

somewhere, sometime, I am SO waiting for a "paybacks are a bitch" moment for old "shoot 'em in the face" Dick.
Leahy showed such class when old potty-mouth told him to go F*** himself in the Senate.
I hope Leahy gets his moment and the sooner the better.

The Middle East crisis and threat of war with Iran are forcing the adults to take action.

There really aren't any secrets in Washington, just the stuff that the top people aren't talking about. When they decide it's time to step in, that will be the end for the lunatics in the White House. That time has arrived.

This needs to be spread far and wide....The * crime family has made us exponentially LESS safe then before they allowed 9/11 to happen....

this is a much better route to take than the "It's all bullshit, and there was no plot". That will get us nowhere.

Now, if he was just backed by a Dem chorus!

Leahy, :yourock:

One of my favorite Senators.