Harry Reid's Blog - September 2006
On a bright and sunny September morning five years ago, history changed in an instant. Our nation was attacked, nearly 3,000 of our citizens were murdered, and our lives as we knew them were changed forever.
The family members of those who died that day -- and we, their fellow Americans -- have been waiting five years for those who masterminded that outrageous terrorist attack to be brought to justice.
Osama bin-Laden, the man who has been seen on videotape bragging and laughing about his role in conceiving this deed, remains at large five years later. The American people are justifiably frustrated that he has not been caught. And they have a right to ask whether our military and intelligence resources were unwisely diverted from that solemn task. Read More »
The family members of those who died that day -- and we, their fellow Americans -- have been waiting five years for those who masterminded that outrageous terrorist attack to be brought to justice.
Osama bin-Laden, the man who has been seen on videotape bragging and laughing about his role in conceiving this deed, remains at large five years later. The American people are justifiably frustrated that he has not been caught. And they have a right to ask whether our military and intelligence resources were unwisely diverted from that solemn task. Read More »
The declassified findings contained in the National Intelligence Estimate confirm what the American people have long believed - the Bush Administration's failed policies in Iraq are fueling global terrorism and making America less safe. These results are the unfortunate consequences of the Administration's decision to cherry pick pre-war intelligence, ignore our senior military leaders, and completely fail to plan for the post-Saddam occupation.
With such a devastating and authoritative analysis of the Bush Administration's failures in Iraq, the President and the Republican-controlled Congress now have a choice to make. Will they stubbornly follow a failed stay the course strategy that America's intelligence community has concluded makes America less safe, or will they finally admit their mistakes and change course? On behalf of our troops and the security of the American people, it is time to change course. We need a new direction in Iraq so that America can finally win the war on terror.
With such a devastating and authoritative analysis of the Bush Administration's failures in Iraq, the President and the Republican-controlled Congress now have a choice to make. Will they stubbornly follow a failed stay the course strategy that America's intelligence community has concluded makes America less safe, or will they finally admit their mistakes and change course? On behalf of our troops and the security of the American people, it is time to change course. We need a new direction in Iraq so that America can finally win the war on terror.
When the U.S. intelligence community confirmed that America is losing the war on terror because of Bush failures in Iraq, this White House lost all credibility on matters of national security. With Iraq in a civil war, Afghanistan moving backwards and our own borders unsecured, it's clear George Bush and Dick Cheney are desperate to hide their record and distort the truth. America needs a new direction, one that is tough and smart and gives Americans the real security they deserve.
Once again, the American people have learned that the Bush Administration has not been honest with them about the war in Iraq. Press reports say our nation's intelligence services have confirmed that President Bush's repeated missteps in Iraq and his stubborn refusal to change course have made America less safe.
No election-year White House PR campaign can hide this truth. It is crystal clear that America's security demands we change course in Iraq. The war in Iraq is now in its fourth year and Congress has yet to ask the tough questions and get the honest answers our nation's security demands. Tomorrow, that will change. With the Democratic Policy Committee's hearings into the conduct of the war in Iraq, we will finally take America in a new direction.
No election-year White House PR campaign can hide this truth. It is crystal clear that America's security demands we change course in Iraq. The war in Iraq is now in its fourth year and Congress has yet to ask the tough questions and get the honest answers our nation's security demands. Tomorrow, that will change. With the Democratic Policy Committee's hearings into the conduct of the war in Iraq, we will finally take America in a new direction.
My floor statement from this morning:
Thank you very much, Mr. President. Mr. President, for more than three years this Congress, which has been given the name "The Do-Nothing Congress," has turned a blind eye to the intractable war in Iraq, ignoring the Administration's many mistakes, allowing it to stay a failed course.
Here we are with six days left in the 109th Congress, and the Republicans, which control the House and the Senate and the White House, have not held one hearing, not one, into the President's wartime failures. During the Civil War, President Lincoln was faced continually with oversight hearings by his Congress. And of course we know during World War II there were a number of commissions. The most famous was that conducted by Senator Harry Truman of Missouri which led to his becoming Vice President, and some say that if it wasn't for that he wouldn't have been chosen as Vice President. Read More »
Thank you very much, Mr. President. Mr. President, for more than three years this Congress, which has been given the name "The Do-Nothing Congress," has turned a blind eye to the intractable war in Iraq, ignoring the Administration's many mistakes, allowing it to stay a failed course.
Here we are with six days left in the 109th Congress, and the Republicans, which control the House and the Senate and the White House, have not held one hearing, not one, into the President's wartime failures. During the Civil War, President Lincoln was faced continually with oversight hearings by his Congress. And of course we know during World War II there were a number of commissions. The most famous was that conducted by Senator Harry Truman of Missouri which led to his becoming Vice President, and some say that if it wasn't for that he wouldn't have been chosen as Vice President. Read More »
Five years after September 11, not a single terrorist has been brought to justice under the President's flawed policy. There is a bipartisan process underway in the United States Senate to fix the failed Bush Administration system that was struck down by the Supreme Court. Instead of picking fights with Colin Powell, John McCain, and other military experts, President Bush should change course, do what the American people expect, and finally give them the real security they deserve.
Here was my statement after Republicans blocked comprehensive national security legislation:
Today is another example of Republicans talking tough about national security, but then failing to do what it takes to keep America safe. Our country is not as safe as it can and should be five years after 9/11, and votes like this in the Republican Congress are a reason why. The Bush White House and its Do Nothing Congress have left our ports, borders, chemical plants and mass transit systems vulnerable. It is time this Congress finally learn the lessons of 9/11. Politics won't protect the American people. Only a serious commitment and tough and smart strategies, like the Democrats Real Security Act, will. It's time for a new direction.
Today is another example of Republicans talking tough about national security, but then failing to do what it takes to keep America safe. Our country is not as safe as it can and should be five years after 9/11, and votes like this in the Republican Congress are a reason why. The Bush White House and its Do Nothing Congress have left our ports, borders, chemical plants and mass transit systems vulnerable. It is time this Congress finally learn the lessons of 9/11. Politics won't protect the American people. Only a serious commitment and tough and smart strategies, like the Democrats Real Security Act, will. It's time for a new direction.
I was honored to join with President Bush and others at the Pentagon yesterday to commemorate the five year anniversary of 9/11. And I was pleased to join my colleagues on the east steps of the Capitol in an emotional tribute to those who died on that fateful day five years ago.
9/11 was one of the darkest days of this nation's history. It brought America together like never before. We were inspired by the bravery of our fellow Americans, we stood shoulder to shoulder with the President, and when he stood upon that mound of rubble at Ground Zero with bull-horn in hand, he spoke for all of us.
Last night, however, the President spoke for his Administration, not for the nation. No bull-horn, only the bully-pulpit of his office, which he used to defend an unpopular war in Iraq and to launch clumsily disguised barbs at those who disagree with his policies there.
By focusing on Iraq in the manner he did, the President engaged in an all too familiar Administration tactic: conflate and blur the war in Iraq with the response to 9/11.
Despite definitive and repeated findings that there were no ties between Iraq and al Qaeda a finding most recently echoed by the Republican controlled Senate Intelligence Committee the President continued to deliberately lump and blur al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, Iraq and 9/11 together.
This was a political move, designed to tap the overwhelming public sentiment to destroy al Qaeda as a way to bolster sagging public support for the war in Iraq.
Despite the President's best efforts, the American people can see through this ploy. They understand that Iraq is largely a sectarian struggle, and that the longer we are bogged down in the streets of Baghdad, the easier it is for al Qaeda and its affiliates to reconstitute in places like Afghanistan and Somalia.
Americans understand that this administration's 'stay the course' strategy is hurting our security, and moving Iraq in the wrong direction.
Unemployment in Iraq is as high as 40 percent. Inflation has increased by 50 percent in the last year. An average of 1,000 Iraqis are dying each month.
The American people deserved better last night. They deserved a break from politics that honored the spirit of 9/11. They deserved a chance to reclaim that sense of unity, purpose and patriotism that swept through our country five years ago. Feelings only the Commander-in Chief can help inspire.
Sadly, it was a missed opportunity for President Bush, who apparently was more consumed by staying the course in Iraq and playing election year politics.
9/11 was one of the darkest days of this nation's history. It brought America together like never before. We were inspired by the bravery of our fellow Americans, we stood shoulder to shoulder with the President, and when he stood upon that mound of rubble at Ground Zero with bull-horn in hand, he spoke for all of us.
Last night, however, the President spoke for his Administration, not for the nation. No bull-horn, only the bully-pulpit of his office, which he used to defend an unpopular war in Iraq and to launch clumsily disguised barbs at those who disagree with his policies there.
By focusing on Iraq in the manner he did, the President engaged in an all too familiar Administration tactic: conflate and blur the war in Iraq with the response to 9/11.
Despite definitive and repeated findings that there were no ties between Iraq and al Qaeda a finding most recently echoed by the Republican controlled Senate Intelligence Committee the President continued to deliberately lump and blur al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, Iraq and 9/11 together.
This was a political move, designed to tap the overwhelming public sentiment to destroy al Qaeda as a way to bolster sagging public support for the war in Iraq.
Despite the President's best efforts, the American people can see through this ploy. They understand that Iraq is largely a sectarian struggle, and that the longer we are bogged down in the streets of Baghdad, the easier it is for al Qaeda and its affiliates to reconstitute in places like Afghanistan and Somalia.
Americans understand that this administration's 'stay the course' strategy is hurting our security, and moving Iraq in the wrong direction.
Unemployment in Iraq is as high as 40 percent. Inflation has increased by 50 percent in the last year. An average of 1,000 Iraqis are dying each month.
The American people deserved better last night. They deserved a break from politics that honored the spirit of 9/11. They deserved a chance to reclaim that sense of unity, purpose and patriotism that swept through our country five years ago. Feelings only the Commander-in Chief can help inspire.
Sadly, it was a missed opportunity for President Bush, who apparently was more consumed by staying the course in Iraq and playing election year politics.
Five years and a day ago we rarely saw flag flying at every door. Five years and a day ago men in suits rarely wore flags pins.
Today, five years after September 11th, from sea to sea, flags fly proudly, in our front yards, on our suit's lapels, and in our hearts.
The acts of terrorism that September morn, lit for all Americans a lamp blazing through the smoke and pain, the tears and flames. Even as our hearts ached our hopes soared, inspired by the selfless courage and devotion of ordinary people performing extraordinary feats of courage and devotion.
Men and women, good, kind, loving Moms and Dads, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters died that day. For that we can never cease to grieve.
But the light that shone on September 11th cannot die, it cannot be dimmed, it cannot fail, because it is the light of their spirit and of ours; it is the light of a great republic; of a free and democratic people.
September 11th will always be our burden. Our minds, our souls, our hearts cannot forget. We must not forget. But we must also always remember that our fallen children in those fallen towers relit a lamp that outshines the evil done to us. In their loss and in ours, they remind us, as could nothing else, of that for which we stand. That liberty is our central value that freedom is our cardinal virtue that we love our country, and our flag and our people for the light we shine, on ourselves, to the world, and for the future of humanity.
Today, five years after September 11th, from sea to sea, flags fly proudly, in our front yards, on our suit's lapels, and in our hearts.
The acts of terrorism that September morn, lit for all Americans a lamp blazing through the smoke and pain, the tears and flames. Even as our hearts ached our hopes soared, inspired by the selfless courage and devotion of ordinary people performing extraordinary feats of courage and devotion.
Men and women, good, kind, loving Moms and Dads, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters died that day. For that we can never cease to grieve.
But the light that shone on September 11th cannot die, it cannot be dimmed, it cannot fail, because it is the light of their spirit and of ours; it is the light of a great republic; of a free and democratic people.
September 11th will always be our burden. Our minds, our souls, our hearts cannot forget. We must not forget. But we must also always remember that our fallen children in those fallen towers relit a lamp that outshines the evil done to us. In their loss and in ours, they remind us, as could nothing else, of that for which we stand. That liberty is our central value that freedom is our cardinal virtue that we love our country, and our flag and our people for the light we shine, on ourselves, to the world, and for the future of humanity.
This morning, President Bush delivered another of his national security public relations speeches. It was straight from his election year playbook: distract, distort, divide and frighten America.
There was not one new idea to change the course in Iraq, but plenty of rhetoric to scare the American people in advance of the midterm elections.
Yesterday, President Bush announced he's transferring 14 terrorists from secret prisons to Guantanamo Bay, so they can be tried before military panels. Read More »
There was not one new idea to change the course in Iraq, but plenty of rhetoric to scare the American people in advance of the midterm elections.
Yesterday, President Bush announced he's transferring 14 terrorists from secret prisons to Guantanamo Bay, so they can be tried before military panels. Read More »
"In war, strategy is the searchlight that illuminates the way ahead. In its absence, the U.S. military would fight hard and well but blindly, and the noble sacrifices of soldiers would be undercut by the lack of thoughtful leadership at the top that soberly assessed the realities of the situation and constructed a response."
This quote, Mr. President, is from the book Fiasco, which was written by Washington Post senior Pentagon correspondent Thomas E. Ricks. The quote concerns a war and a Secretary of Defense I would like to talk about today. Read More »
This quote, Mr. President, is from the book Fiasco, which was written by Washington Post senior Pentagon correspondent Thomas E. Ricks. The quote concerns a war and a Secretary of Defense I would like to talk about today. Read More »
Yesterday along with House and Senate Democratic Leaders and ranking members from the key national security committees I wrote to the President about the continued deterioration of the security situation in Iraq. Citing the escalating violence in the five weeks since our July 30 letter to the President, the letter calls for a new direction in Iraq to include the beginning of a phased redeployment of U.S. troops before the end of 2006. In addition to again urging the President to consider changing his Iraq policy, the letter urges the President to change the civilian leadership at the Department of Defense. Read More »
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