Republican National INsecurity

Republican National INsecurity

We are not safer today than we were even a year ago. Republicans simply aren't
making us safer. If you want to change this trend the only choice you have is
to vote Democratic.

Rand Beers and his colleagues have
compiled a devastating outline that destroys the Republican “strong on
national security” talking points. For my money, it could just be called
the reality on Republican national insecurity.

The Republican Congress has rubber stamped the state of our current national
insecurity. The reality is stark.

Al Qaeda Failed to kill or capture Osama bin Laden and negligently allows him to escape from Tora Bora. Allows Al Qaeda to establish a safe haven in Northwest Pakistan. Afghanistan Diverts American military resources from the war against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan to an unnecessary war in Iraq. Allows the Taliban to reestablish a foothold in Afghanistan and war lords to conduct a record drug trade. Iraq Invades Iraq even though it played no role in September 11th, had no weapons of mass destruction and was not involved with Al Qaeda. Fails to work with our allies — as was done in the first Gulf War — and squanders the good will and support for America in the world after the attacks on 9/11. Cherry picks intelligence to bolster its obsession with invading Iraq and forces the evidence to match with a predetermined, ideologically driven decision. Begins the war in Iraq with no plan to win the peace, an unclear mission and insufficient training of the troops for the job they are expected to perform. Claims that we would be “greeted as liberators” by the Iraqi people. Fails to heed the advice of our military commanders regarding the number of troops needed to secure the country after the invasion. Fails to equip our brave military men and women with essential equipment such as body armor and vehicle protection. Stands by while Iraq is looted by lawless mobs after the U.S. invasion. Foolishly and prematurely celebrates “Mission Accomplished” when in reality the war is just beginning. Disbands the Iraqi military that could have provided order and security in Iraq. Fails to adequately prepare our military services for the demands placed upon them, stretching our resources to the breaking point, including overburdening our National Guard and military reserves. Fails to heed the lessons of history, know the culture, and develop a strategy for avoiding sectarian violence between Shia, Sunni and the Kurds. Makes Iraq, according to 16 U.S. intelligence agencies, a rallying cry among jihadists all over the world thus serving as a recruitment tool and training ground for more terrorists. Unnecessarily and ill advisedly detains and abuses suspects, many of whom were ultimately found to have done nothing wrong and provoking the anger of the Iraqi people and many around the world to the detriment of U.S. security. Makes unrealistic assessments of the situation on the ground such as claiming that the insurgency was “in its last throes.” Spends more than $300 billion dollars on the folly in Iraq along with $30 billion in reconstruction funds (twice what was spent to rebuild Europe and Japan after WWII), much of which has been wasted and subject to fraud. Spends billions on weapons for the Iraqis that they do not know how to operate or do not work. Despite massive expenditures, fails to rebuild Iraqi infrastructure, provide electricity and clean water, fix the economy, and restore Iraqi oil production. Obstinately refuses to change course in Iraq despite overwhelming evidence that the policy is failing and broad agreement that a new strategy is needed. Axis of Evil Stands by while, four years after identifying them as the “Axis of Evil,” Iraq, Iran and North Korea pose more of a danger to the U.S. than they did before the Bush Administration. Incompetently fails to use bi-lateral and multi-lateral diplomacy to apply pressure on Iran and North Korea to terminate their nuclear programs. Iran Allows Iran’s nuclear weapons program to advance, expand and become more ambitious. Allows Iran to become more influential in the Middle East and generate unrest and violence in Iraq and Lebanon and through its clients Hezbollah and Hamas, pose a greater threat to Israel North Korea Allows North Korea’s unstable dictator Kim Jung Il to build nuclear weapons, increase the number of weapons it possesses (to perhaps as many as twelve) and undertake an accelerated weapons and missile testing program which threatens its neighbors and the United States. Homeland Security Fails to implement all of the recommendations of the bipartisan and unanimous 911 Commission to enhance homeland security from terrorism. Fails to fully fund and equip American domestic first responders in the war on terror and ensure their ability to communicate in an emergency. Fails to take action to adequately defend and protect American infrastructure from vulnerability to terror attacks including our ports, railway and mass transit systems and chemical and nuclear plants. Stands by as billions are misspent on pork barrel projects while our most vulnerable cities and facilities go unprotected. Fails to secure our borders allowing potential terrorists and criminals to enter the country undetected. Fails to develop coherent and consistent air travel precautions including maintenance and use of a terrorist watch list. Unnecessarily abuses the powers of the President by unconstitutional eavesdropping on American citizens, seizes and holds alleged enemy combatants indefinitely and tortures and abuses prisoners and suspects often in violation of U.S. validated treaties. Needlessly politicizes the war on terror and intentionally causes deep divisions and polarization within the American public and political system.