Foreign Policy

On the occasion of Fidel Castro’s 80th birthday, let us remember that he has been a ruthless dictator for nearly 50 years. He is also the one person to stand between Cuba and liberty. For too long, the words “Cuba

Sen. Gorton was a member of The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also known as the 9-11 Commission).

Perhaps our initial response to Thursday's foiled terrorist attack should be to congratulate the Brits' MI5 and its associated law enforcement agencies for a job well done. Discovering, monitoring, and waiting to arrest a group of dangerous potential terrorists until the largest number could be taken into custody with the most evidence to convict was great work.

Second, we should note the fine international information sharing and cooperation. Both the FBI here and Pakistani agencies worked with the Brits to make the case and, in the Pakistanis' case, to make arrests. This is just the kind of joint work that was so tragically missing in the days and years leading up to 9/11.

Third, we were reminded once again that airplanes are still the weapons of choice for ambitious would-be terrorists and that a heavy emphasis on aircraft security is an appropriate priority.

Fourth, we can take modest comfort in the fact that DHS was not caught totally surprised by an unexpected new form of in-air terrorism. The good news is that DHS has been researching just the kind of threat these extremists present; the bad news is that the department has yet to come up with a practical detecting device.

Finally, we need to remember that the religious and political ideas motivating these people have been around for centuries and will not be eliminated anytime soon. We are in a long war against this enemy, must be constantly both on our guard and proactive, and must use our collective imaginations to sniff out new threats.

First of all, it took some good intelligence work and cooperation for the British Government to be able to cut this off before it actually happened. We have no idea as to what's going on out there or what should be done.

I was most pleased that New Yorkers realize that the world has changed. We just have to take these things in our stride. I'm amazed at all the people on the street who were interviewed who were willing to make all the adjustments that they'll have to make in traveling. But they know that there are a lot of mean people in this world.

It wouldn't surprise me if we aren't responsible for the creation of some of these mean people with our intrusions into Iraq. I agree with Secretary Rumsfeld when he said that we may be creating more terrorists than we're killing. For them to see what we're doing in Iraq is repugnant not only to Islamic people but to all people who look for justice and peace. The whole idea that Bush and others continually refer to "Islamic Fascists" - you know, they didn't call Hitler a "Christian Radical" or the KKK "Baptist Radicals!" To take a name like Islam and to attach an adjective to it is not well-conceived.

In New Jersey, we have a very good chance of unseating a GOP Congressman who supports President Bush and his haphazard ways of running our country. Rep. Mike Ferguson does not represent the best interests of New Jersey or America, and that is why I am running against him. We need common-sense change, and that is what I am offering. We need to bring our troops back home from Iraq as soon as possible; we need to find a way to lower gas prices; we need to protect Social Security and Medicare; and we must protect a woman’s right to choose. Ferguson is on the wrong side of the fence on all these issues, and his constituents know it. Keep your eye on District 7 in New Jersey. The tide is turning, and people are ready to vote Ferguson out of Congress.

The foiled terrorist plot to commit mass murder using our airlines and our freedoms is a stark reminder of the constant need for vigilance in the war on terror. As we approach the fifth anniversary of 9-11, the terrorists have shown their ability to maneuver around the precautions we institute. We have to show the same ability to adapt to their endless capacity for fear, hatred, and death.  Today, I am very proud of the work of countless agents and first responders that thwarted this evil plot. And I stand ready to continue to work with these brave Americans to keep our homeland safe and secure.

Campaigning for Vermont’s sole seat in the U.S. House has brought me to all corners of our beautiful Green Mountain State. Vermonters expect a personal connection with their elected officials and I’ve listened to their concerns about health care, ethics reform, controlling the federal budget and homeland security. These are issues facing not only Vermont but all Americans.

My message of reform is resonating. Every poll has showed this race to be a statistical dead heat and the most recent independent poll has me leading my opponent by a narrow margin.

But the news today of a foiled plot to blow up airplanes in Britain should remind all Americans that our national security must remain a top priority for all of our elected officials. Read more...

Democrats in Connecticut's Second District went to the polls in record numbers to cast their votes for the Party's Senate nominee and they have embraced Ned Lamont who will join me in fighting for a change of direction for our nation. This primary serves notice to my opponent Rob Simmons, the Bush Administration and national Republicans that eastern Connecticut has had enough.

We will no longer accept a failed policy and no oversight over the war in Iraq, an energy policy that only exacerbates our dependency on hostile foreign nations for oil, and the absence of adequate health care for all Americans. Connecticut Democrats are demanding change and we are energized and united in our message - we will restore integrity and accountability in Washington, DC.

If there was any doubt that the angry, fringe left has taken over the Democrat Party, yesterday’s ousting of Joe Lieberman puts the issue to rest.  Lieberman was the Party’s co-standard bearer in 2000, and just six years later, Democrat leaders are issuing press releases explaining why they have abandoned him.  Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid should take a good, long look at what their Party has become: a hostage of the ultra-liberal, pacifist movement that is using the internet as a clubhouse, and which was fathered by Howard Dean during his presidential bid.

The Democrat Party that once stood for strength in the international arena is officially dead.  The new retreat and defeat Democrats are firmly in control, and with Lieberman’s defeat have removed the last vestiges of reason from within their ranks.  Lieberman’s loss will send shockwaves across the nation, and will make mainstream Democrats across the nation fully aware of what has happened to their Party.

Sending radio transmissions to the oppressed Cuban nation will help overcome the Castro-imposed information barricade. The messages the US is sending to Cuba will show people there that we are on their side in support of freedom and democracy and in opposition to tyranny. We thank President Bush for his commitment to our cause for freedom and justice for our brothers and sisters on the island.

I was particularly displeased with Abe Foxman’s response to my posting because he deliberately miscast my critique of the Administration’s handling of Middle East policy and then had the gall to suggest that I had turned a blind eye to the regional threat posed by Iran.
Abe, it is not I who stood by while Iran and extremists were strengthened in the region. It is policies, pursued by this Administration and, I dare say, supported by you, that are responsible for the nightmare we see before us.

The disastrous war in Iraq, the unilateralism of the Sharon/Olmert governments, our neglect of Lebanon and now, the onslaughts against Gaza and Lebanon—have all contributed to making a Middle East that is more dangerous and more anti-American than at any time in history—with Iran sitting in a corner licking it chops.

The current wars raging in the region are neither “clarifying Read more...