Republicans, Democrats Clash Over Who's Stronger on National Security

[LiberalHeart]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republicans and Democrats clashed over the war on terror Thursday within hours of the disclosure of a thwarted terrorist plot in Britain, with each side accusing the other of doing too little to deter attacks.

"We must implement the strong recommendations of the independent 9/11 commission to improve airport security screening at checkpoints," said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, stressing one of the party's principal campaign-year promises in its drive to gain control of Congress.

(snip)

The charges served as a reminder that with midterm elections less than three months away, not even an alleged attack to blow up passenger planes was off-limits to politics. Throughout the day, the accusations grew more heated with Republicans and Democrats criticizing each other for using the day's events for political gain.

Much more:
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=5270220

[GreenArrow]

1. stronger, schmonger

who is smarter?

[MysteryToMyself]

14. The Democrats were smarter

Diplomacy would have worked much better. It may have taken longer, but we would not have spent so much money either. And we would still have 2600 soldiers alive.

Look at those countries who are friends with Israel in the Mid East. That is the result of diplomacy.

[MrCoffee]

18. Standing ovation for using "schmonger" in your subject line n/t

[hobbit709]

2. Neither side

but the Repukes are better at posturing

[Arkansas Granny]

4. It's just a bunch of "my dog's better than your dog".

None of this bickering back and forth gets anything done.

[ShockediSay]

9. Agreed.

Call it for what it is, a labeling game;

or pin the label to the other guy's butt.

[MysteryToMyself]

3. About anyone would be smarter than the Republican leaders

Terrorists are known to use bombs. You would think the homeland security would have people studying different types of bombs and how they are activated. But they seem totally surprised that these British terrorists could use a liquid of peroxide and another ingredient, just as common, mixed with it. Then they could use a cell phone to activate it.

That should not have been a surprise.

It would seem, if it is that easy to set off bombs, then none of us are safe anywhere. So maybe we need people in office that can negotiate with, not enrage, the radicals.

[sandnsea]

5. Negotiate with non-radicals

and marginalize the radicals until they become irrelevant. Negotiating with radicals just gives them a sense of power and makes them want more and more, see our own religious right for an example.

[MysteryToMyself]

11. I know what you are saying

The thing is, a lot of those labeled terrorist by the Bushites may not be terrorist. Some of those "terrorists" were elected such as Hezbollah and some are the Iraqi that don't want us there.

[sandnsea]

12. Then they should denounce the militants

Those who are elected need to be encouraged to distance themselves from violence much like the role Sinn Fein played in disarming the IRA. Engage the non-radicals and have them help marginalize the radicals, that's how you win this in the end.

[MysteryToMyself]

13. It is hard to tell people that

if they see Bush's wars and now Israels. You don't invade countries while telling them disarming is the only way. Think about how threatened the countries feel. Bush has confirmed their worst suspicions.

The thing is Israel had earlier given back Lebanon soldiers for return of their soldiers. It had worked before. This time Israel decided to attack. Israel has thousands of Lebanon prisoners. Some have been imprisoned for 30 years. The Hezbollah want those people freed. Some Hezbollah were voted into office.

Nothing is ever black and white.

[sandnsea]

16. That's what diplomacy is for

To constantly be moving forward in international relations so that violent crises don't erupt. There is no doubt that neocon policies inflame the world, but they're just the flip side of terrorist policies. Hezbollah militants want total victory in just the same sense that the neocons want total victory. That's the black and white of it, the non-radicals and internationalists are the ones willing to deal in the gray.

[MysteryToMyself]

15. Now, I read that they have always known

about the possibility of the terrorists using liquid explosives.

Some of the explosive liquids are clear like alcohol or peroxide, so that makes it too easy to disguise as water. Mixed with other things they can be set off with cell phones or other electronic equipment.

[Tempest]

6. The people have spoken

"Which political party -- the Democrats or the Republicans -- do you trust to do a better job handling the U.S. campaign against terrorism?"

46% Democrats
38% Republicans


"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bush is handling the U.S. campaign against terrorism?"

47% Approve
50% Disapprove



http://pollingreport.com/terror.htm

[Monkeyman]

7. You might want to read here

http://HouseDemocrats.gov

[GoddessOfGuinness]

8. Every politician who has neglected to push for alternatives to petroleum

for the last 30+ years, is guilty of doing too little to deter terrorist attacks.

[Solly Mack]

10. and as they argue, America continues to crumble, unprotected

by no one, because the real threat to America is her current government.

[MrCoffee]

17. My dream headline for this story:

Repukes and Dems ARM WRESTLE Over Who's Stronger on National Security.