In this week’s Video of the Week, President Bush is asked in 2006 if his administration was complacent to the threat of terrorism in the first eight months of 2001, specifically in regards to Osama Bin Laden. When given the opportunity to finger point, he declines. President Bush discusses the need to be on the offense, and the need for the tools necessary to protect our nation. President Obama faces similar criticisms today, despite 9/11, two wars to serve as constant reminders, and a beefed up federal security apparatus. It is important to …
On December 25, 2009, a Nigerian student attempted to ignite a mixture of powder and liquid on a Northwest Airlines flight landing in Detroit, Michigan. Passengers helped to stop the suspect from carrying out his mission after the device failed to fully detonate, marking the 28th foiled terror plot against the United States since 9/11. This attempted plot is an example of how terrorists continue in their attempts to harm Americans. But it also illustrates the need to work with international partners on countering terrorism, while defending the intelligence and …
Last week the Senate approved a 60-day extension of the Patriot Act as part of the 2010 defense appropriations bill. As Heritage scholar James Carafano writes in The Washington Examiner, it is far past time for Congress to grant counterterrorism law enforcement officials the proven tools they need to protect out country: Arrested in 2006, Ehsanul Islam Sadequee and Syed Haris Ahmed were recently sentenced on a slew of terrorism-related charges. Theirs is a textbook case of domestic radicalization. They spent hours online chatting and watching videos produced by terrorist …
Senate Analysis – All eyes will be focused on the Senate Finance Committee, as they begin their markup of Senator Baucus’ health care reform proposal. As the media and American people focus on health care, the Senate will also tackle several additional appropriations measures, which further expand our national debt. Several issues could flare up during those debates, including EPA regulation of greenhouse gases, the investigation into CIA activities and missile defense funding. Major Senate Floor Action – Senators are likely to find themselves in a pitched global warming debate …
