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Human Torch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-04-06 06:49 PM
Original message
GOP Congress blocked Clinton push for anti-terror legislation
http://americablog.blogspot.com/2006/09/gop-congress-blocked-clinton-push-for.html

Monday, September 04, 2006

http://americablog.blogspot.com/2006/09/gop-congress-blocked-clinton-push-for.html

GOP Congress blocked Clinton push for anti-terror legislation
by John in DC - 9/04/2006 11:10:00 AM

CNN, July 30, 1996

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, emerged from the meeting and said, "These are very controversial provisions that the White House wants. Some they're not going to get." .... also said he had some problems with the president's proposals to expand wiretapping.

So Bill Clinton, rather than just breaking the law as Bush did (then again, perhaps this is why Bush broke the law - he knew from history that the Republicans controlling the congress would oppose his efforts to expand wiretapping), decided to go to the Republican congress in 1996 and ask them for increased authority to do more eavesdropping in order to stop the terrorists - stop September 11. Senior Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, one of the GOP's top picks for the Supreme Court and a GOP committee chair, objected.

The Republicans stopped President Clinton from getting all the tools he needed to stop the next September 11 - well, no, actually they opposed giving President Clinton all the tools he needed to stop the actual September 11. Could September 11 have been stopped if the GOP had given President Clinton the tools he requested to stop Osama and Mohammad Atta from killing 3,000 people in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington?

Maybe we need to ask the Republicans up for re-election why they wanted to appease the terrorists? President Clinton urged Congress Tuesday to act swiftly in developing anti-terrorism legislation before its August recess. "We need to keep this country together right now. We need to focus on this terrorism issue," Clinton said during a White House news conference. But while the president pushed for quick legislation, Republican lawmakers hardened their stance against some of the proposed anti-terrorism measures. There's even an audio clip of President Clinton practically begging the Republicans to give him the tools he needed to stop Osama and the terrorists. Trent Lott said no. Orrin Hatch said no. Do these men really deserve to run the Congress during a time of war?
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WCGreen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-04-06 06:51 PM
Response to Original message
1. The only terrorists they had on their mind....
Was the little guy in Clinton's pants....
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Supersedeas Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-05-06 12:20 PM
Response to Reply #1
11. RW and Corp Media hypocrisy is stunning
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Ilsa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-04-06 06:52 PM
Response to Original message
2. I was just about to post this. LOL
Too bad I didn't have this every time I've asked a Right-winger "Would you approve of this if Clinton was in office?"
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Montauk6 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-04-06 06:57 PM
Response to Original message
3. OK, I may sound like a broken record...
But I think that this - http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/terrorists/terbinladen.htm - is a cheap attempt to keep any official reference to Bin Laden on Clinton's watch. Call it paranoid, but I'm just sayin'...
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Ilsa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-04-06 07:03 PM
Response to Original message
4. Here's the link from CNN on clinton's speech
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madfloridian Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-04-06 07:07 PM
Response to Original message
5. And a link to Clinton's actual plan....very thorough.
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Ilsa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-04-06 07:36 PM
Response to Original message
6. Different CNN link to an earlier, water-down bill:
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razors edge Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-04-06 08:54 PM
Response to Original message
7. say it ain't so...
breaking news, SUN RISES.
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NVMojo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-05-06 05:23 AM
Response to Original message
8. K & R!!!!
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City Lights Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-05-06 06:48 AM
Response to Original message
9. I'm sure details of his anti-terror legislation will be included in ABC's
"unbiased historical documentary," The Path to 9-11. I'm sure it will also explain how and why the GOP Congress shot it down.

I'M SERIES!!

:sarcasm:

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Mulkum Donating Member (27 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-05-06 11:46 AM
Response to Reply #9
10. Bush abolished Clinton's antiterrorism organization


http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/nspd/index.html

National Security Presidential Directives
George W. Bush Administration

In the George W. Bush Administration, the directives that are used to promulgate Presidential decisions on national
security matters are designated National Security Presidential Directives (NSPDs).

As discussed in NSPD 1, this new category of directives replaces both the Presidential Decision Directives and the
Presidential Review Directives of the previous Administration. Unless other otherwise indicated, however, past Directives
remain in effect until they are superseded.

The first directive, dated 13 February 2001, was formally approved for release by the National Security Council staff on
13 March 2001.
***(In which Clinton's Directives were "superseded" (abolished))
After abolishing Clinton's directives, the Bush administration did NOTHING to replace those abolished directives until
after 911.***

On October 29, 2001, President Bush issued the first of a new series of Homeland Security Presidential Directives
(HSPDs) governing homeland security policy.

Bush' NSPD 1 excerpt below;

The existing system of Interagency Working Groups is abolished.
***snip****
Except for those established by statute, other existing NSC interagency groups, ad hoc bodies, and executive
committees are also abolished as of March 1, 2001, unless they are specifically reestablished as subordinate
working
groups within the new NSC system as of that date. Cabinet officers, the heads of other executive agencies, and the
directors of offices within the Executive Office of the President shall advise the Assistant to the President for National
Security Affairs of those specific NSC interagency groups chaired by their respective departments or agencies that
are
either mandated by statute or are otherwise of sufficient importance and vitality as to warrant being reestablished. In
each case the Cabinet officer, agency head, or
office director should describe the scope of the activities proposed for or now carried out by the interagency group,
the
relevant statutory mandate if any, and the particular NSC/PCC that should coordinate this work.
The Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee established in E.O. 12870 shall continue its work,
however, in the manner specified in that order. As to those committees expressly established in the National Security
Act, the NSC/PC and/or NSC/DC shall serve as those committees and perform the functions assigned to those
committees by the Act.
******
Look at WHAT Bush' NSPD 1 abolished;

http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/pdd39_fema.htm (immediatly below)

http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/pdd39_frp.htm (Spells out in DETAIL "Preventitive" measures intended to prevent terrorist
attacks!!!!) Which was in place until dropped by The Bush Administration in one dash of his pen when he signed NSPD 1

Look at the organization Clinton had in place and which was used for 6 years, which prevented any attack on American
soil!!!!
An organizational policy which would have listened to all the DOTS which were ignored by the Bush administration, an
organization in which the warnings about the terrorists attempts to train on Flight Simlators, tracking KNOWN terrorists,
and Moussoui's computer would have been inspected~~Thus preventing the hijacking of aircraft and the attacks which
occured on 911 !!!!
(Government Public Documents~may be posted in full)

U.S. SENATE
PERMANENT SUBCOMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONS
(Minority Staff Statement)
JUNE 5, 1996

APPENDIX C

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20504

March 8, 1996

MEMORANDUM FOR MR. JOHN F. SOPKO
Minority Deputy Chief Counsel
Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
Senate Governmental Affairs Committee

SUBJECT: Senator Nunn's Request for Copy of FEMA Abstract on PDD-39

Pursuant to Senator Nunn's request, enclosed for your information is a copy of the NSC approved unclassified FEMA
abstract on PDD-39.

All requests for copies of, access to or information about Presidential Decision Directives (PDD) should be sent directly to
the National Security Council.

Andrew D. Sens

Executive Secretary


Attachment

Tab A - Unclassified FEMA Abstract on PDD-39

cc: Ms. Catherine H. Light
Director
Office of National Security Coordination Federal Emergency Management Agency

U.S. POLICY ON COUNTERTERRORISM

1. General. Terrorism is both a threat to our national security as well as a criminal act. The Administration has stated that
it is the policy of the United States to use all appropriate means to deter, defeat and respond to all terrorist attacks on our
territory and resources, both people and facilities, wherever they occur. In support of these efforts, the United States will:

Employ efforts to deter, preempt, apprehend and prosecute terrorists.

Work closely with other governments to carry out our counterterrorism policy and combat terrorist threats against
them.

Identify sponsors of terrorists, isolate them, and ensure they pay for their actions.

Make no concessions to terrorists

2. Measures to Combat Terrorism. To ensure that the United States is prepared to combat terrorism in all its forms, a
number of measures have been directed. These include reducing vulnerabilities to terrorism, deterring and responding to
terrorist acts, and having capabilities to prevent and manage the consequences of terrorist use of nuclear, biological and
chemical (NBC) weapons, including those of mass destruction.

a. Reduce Vulnerabilities. In order to reduce our vulnerabilities to terrorism, both at home and abroad, all
department/agency heads have been directed to ensure that their personnel and facilities are fully protected against
terrorism. Specific efforts that will be conducted to ensure our security against terrorist acts include the following:

Review the vulnerability of government facilities and critical national infrastructure.

Expand the program of counterterrorism.

Reduce vulnerabilities affecting civilian personnel/facilities abroad and military personnel/facilities.

Reduce vulnerabilities affecting U.S. airports, aircraft/passengers and shipping, and provide appropriate security
measures for other modes of transportation.

Exclude/deport persons who pose a terrorist threat

Prevent unlawful traffic in firearms and explosives, and protect the President and other officials against terrorist
attack.

Reduce U.S. vulnerabilities to international terrorism through intelligence collection/analysis, counterintelligence
and covert action.

b. Deter. To deter terrorism, it is necessary to provide a clear public position that our policies will not be affected by
terrorist acts and we will vigorously deal with terrorist/sponsors to reduce terrorist capabilities and support. In this regard,
we must make it clear that we will not allow terrorism to succeed and that the pursuit, arrest, and prosecution of terrorists
is of the highest priority. Our goals include the disruption of terrorist-sponsored activity including termination of financial
support, arrest and punishment of terrorists as criminals, application of U.S. laws and new legislation to prevent terrorist
groups from operating in the United States, and application of extraterritorial statutes to counter acts of terrorism and
apprehend terrorists outside of the United States. Return of terrorists overseas, who are wanted for violation of U.S. law,
is of the highest priority and a central issue in bilateral relations with any state that harbors or assists them.

c. Respond. To respond to terrorism, we must have a rapid and decisive capability to protect Americans, defeat or arrest
terrorists, respond against terrorist sponsors, and provide relief to the victims of terrorists. The goal during the immediate
response phase of an incident is to terminate terrorist attacks so that the terrorists do not accomplish their objectives or
maintain their freedom, while seeking to minimize damage and loss of life and provide emergency assistance. After an
incident has occurred, a rapidly deployable interagency Emergency Support Team (EST) will provide required capabilities
on scene: a Foreign Emergency Support Team (FEST) for foreign incidents and a Domestic Emergency Support Team
(DEST) for domestic incidents. DEST membership will be limited to those agencies required to respond to the specific
incident. Both teams will include elements for specific types of incidents such as nuclear, biological or chemical threats.

The Director, FEMA, will ensure that the Federal Response Plan is adequate for consequence management activities in
response to terrorist attacks against large U.S. populations, including those where weapons of mass destruction are
involved. FEMA will also ensure that State response plans and capabilities are adequate and tested. FEMA, supported by
all Federal Response Plan signatories, will assume the Lead Agency role for consequence management in Washington,
D.C. and on scene. If large scale casualties and infrastructure damage occur, the President may appoint a Personal
Representative for consequence management as the on scene Federal authority during recovery. A roster of senior and
former government officials willing to perform these functions will be created and the rostered individuals will be provided
training and information necessary to allow them to be called upon on short notice.

Agencies will bear the costs of their participation in terrorist incidents and counterterrorist operations, unless otherwise
directed.

d. NBC Consequence Management. The development of effective capabilities for preventing and managing the
consequences of terrorist use of nuclear, biological or chemical (NBC) materials or weapons is of the highest priority.
Terrorist acquisition of weapons of mass destruction is not acceptable and there is no higher priority than preventing the
acquisition of such materials/weapons or removing this capability from terrorist groups. FEMA will review the Federal
Response Plan on an urgent basis, in coordination with supporting agencies, to determine its adequacy in responding to
an NBC-related terrorist incident; identify and remedy any shortfalls in stockpiles, capabilities or training; and report on
the status of these efforts in 180 days.
***********
http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/pdd39_frp.htm

Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Response Plan
Notice of Change

Date:
February 7, 1997 Number: FEMA 229, Chg 11 Subject: Terrorism
1. Purpose. This notice of change adds a Terrorism Incident Annex to the Federal Response Plan (FRP),
which will be used to implement Presidential Decision Directive 39 (PDD-39).

2. Background. PDD-39 defines policies regarding the Federal response to threats or acts of terrorism
involving nuclear, biological, and/or chemical material, and/or weapons of mass destruction (NBC/WMD).
PDD-39 directs the undersigned departments and agencies to perform specific responsibilities that may
affect the performance of their responsibilities under the FRP.

3. Supersession. None.

4. Action Required. Insert pages TI-1 through TI-22 after page CR-22.

5. Distribution. All Federal departments and agencies with FRP responsibilities.

6. Additional Copies. Maybe obtained by contacting FEMA Printing and Publications at (202) 646-3484.
TERRORISM INCIDENT ANNEX TO THE FEDERAL RESPONSE PLAN

I. INTRODUCTION

In June 1995, the White House issued Presidential Decision Directive 39 (PDD-39), �United States Policy on
Counterterrorism.� PDD-39 directed a number of measures to reduce the Nation�s vulnerability to terrorism,
to deter and respond to terrorist acts, and to strengthen capabilities to prevent and manage the
consequences of terrorist use of nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) weapons including weapons of
mass destruction (WMD). PDD-39 discusses crisis management and consequence management.

Crisis management includes measures to identify, acquire, and plan the use of resources needed to
anticipate, prevent, and/or resolve a threat or act of terrorism. The laws of the United States assign primary
authority to the Federal Government to prevent and respond to acts of terrorism; State and local
governments provide assistance as required. Crisis management is -predominantly a law enforcement
response. Based on the situation, a Federal crisis management response may be supported by technical
operations, and by Federal consequence management, which may operate concurrently (see Figure 1).

Consequence management includes measures to protect public health and safety, restore essential
government services, and provide emergency relief to governments, businesses and individuals affected by
the consequences of terrorism. The laws of the United States assign primary authority to the States to
respond to the consequences of terrorism; the Federal Government provides assistance as required.




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