-Donald Rumsfeld
That was more than five years ago, and Bush's war in Iraq continues, leaving death and destruction in it's wake, not to mention a huge burden on taxpayers. Obviously, the Bush strategy for fighting terrorism is fatally flawed, as is McCain's clinging to it. The Bush/McCain Iraq policy does nothing to stop terrorism. If anything, it advances it by alienating potential allies. They're both flailing around trying to justify a policy that's simply whacking at a hornet's nest, and they don't even realize what's coming to bite them. Bush and McCain's war hasn't made us safer, and it hasn't reduced global terrorism.
Senator Kerry spoke at the Center for American Progress on "A New Approach to Fighting Terrorism", one that emphasizes that “Guns and bombs alone are not enough to win the war of ideas” We must win hearts and minds to reduce the threat, and that's not going to happen simply by adding troops and sporadic tactical successes. We need a smarter anti-terrorism policy.
Video Credit: seeprogress
The Senator also posted at TPM on the same topic.
The big picture is this: winning a war of ideas will not only enable us to defeat the terrorists, but will also restore our ability to affect positive change in other arenas. Let George Bush be remembered for an overly narrow militarized focus on fighting terrorism at the expense of our moral authority and our standing in the world. Let the next President fight terror by emphasizing the best about America to usher in a new paradigm of using force wisely, and in so doing allow us to emerge from this struggle stronger and better able to lead the world into the 21st century.
It's pretty clear that Bush and McCain don't have what it takes to fight terrorism. Their "bomb now, pay later" strategy has done nothing to stop it, and has cost our country dearly in lives and treasure. It's time to close the book on their failed policies and elect a President who will fight a smarter battle against terrorism by addressing the causes and using all of our resources, not just guns and, as John McCain advocates, "bombs, bombs, bombs".
Another Battle to be Fought
On a completely different topic, Sen. Kerry is riding in the Pan Mass Challenge today to raise money and awareness for the fight against cancer. If you haven't donated to support his ride, it's not too late.
Video Credit: NECN
