Bill Clinton to Speak on 1995 OKC Bombing

[babylonsister]

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/13/bill-clinton-to-speak-on-1995-bombing/

Bill Clinton to Speak on 1995 Bombing
By CARL HULSE


Former President Bill Clinton will give the keynote speech Friday at a symposium marking the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, a tragedy drawing renewed attention in light of increasing concern about the tone of today’s political dialogue.

The event being sponsored by the Center for American Progress and the Democratic Leadership Council will also feature a discussion among political figures, former law enforcement officials and experts on domestic terrorism and extremist groups.

Organizers say the symposium will discuss the bombing, “how the country reacted to it, and what lessons we can learn from it today about our political discourse.”

Some critics have suggested that the angry political attacks and threats against lawmakers over the new health care law are reminiscent of the period before the bombing of the federal building orchestrated by Timothy McVeigh, an anti-government zealot who was later executed for his role in the attack.

Conservatives have dismissed such claims as exaggerations and attempts to silence opponents of the Democratic Congress and Obama administration.

The April 19, 1995, bombing was a galvanizing event in Mr. Clinton’s first term and led him to pursue broad anti-terrorism measures and efforts to better protect federal buildings.

[Jennicut]

1. It needs to be talked about. No one really has taken it on and discussed

the implications of it in the same way as 9/11. Obviously, it was on a smaller scale. But homegrown terrorism can be just as dangerous.

[Cha]

2. This is brilliant I'm so glad Pres Clinton and everyone..

are on this.

People need to be reminded how those idiots who are anti-government can rage on and do unfathomable damage. Wonder who the domestic terrorist, ol mcveigh, listened to? Or was it all in his own head?

[Cha]

3. KR