By now most people here know that last week John Edwards held a press conference to present his plan to fight terrorism. His theme was that the Bush "Global War on Terror" Doctrine has not made us safer, but is a political strategy used to justify the worst abuses of the Administration. In fact, terrorism around the world is on the rise according to Bush's own State Department. John Edwards believes we need a smart, mission-focused national security policy designed to stamp out terrorists, not a political slogan designed to stamp out disagreement, and he set forth his policy proposals on the matter.
His plan, along with video highlights can be found here, and a transcript of his 5-23-07 major policy address regarding foreign policy can be found here.
But terrorism is a subject John Edwards was concerned about long ago, and certainly before George W. Bush.
According to a front page story in the Washington Post on July 9, 2004, entitled, Edwards Sets Self Apart on Foreign Policy; Terrorism Was Top Focus Before Sept. 11 Attacks:
In the summer of 2001, when much of the Republican and Democratic policy community was obsessed with missile defense, Edwards urged more attention to terrorism. The North Carolina senator had such limited luck pitching an OpEd article on terrorism to major newspapers that the piece, warning of poor cooperation among federal and local law enforcement, ended up in the weekly Littleton Observer, circulation 2,230 -- four weeks before the Sept. 11 attacks.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Edwards’s OpEd was prescient regarding the risks of terrorism. Written less than one month before Al Queda struck (and ten days after Bush received his secret August 6, 2001, presidential daily briefing entitled "Bin Laden determined to strike in US"), Edwards mainly dealt with the protection of our ports and cyber-security, problems that still exist. He understood the magnitude of the problem presented by terrorist threats, something soon discovered in horrendous magnitude. Oddly, Bush was specifically alerted to the threat, yet kept it secret from public and Congress, even as Edwards spoke out. Here is part of what Senator Edwards had to say:
Targeting Terrorism
by John Edwards
Littleton Observer
August 16, 2001
As a member of the Senate Intelligence committee, I've become convinced that terrorism is the most important national security challenge our country will face over the next decade. That is why I am working on new ways to address the threat of terrorism.
The spread of chemical and biological weapons combined with the growth of hostile terrorist groups is a recipe for disaster. The reality is that we face terrorism not only abroad, but also right here at home.
Protecting our nation's seaports from terrorist attack presents a real challenge. Seaports are the center of our global trading network. They are also ground zero in the fight against illegal drugs, bribery and theft, illegal immigration, and a potential target for terrorists. We must do a better job safeguarding our seaports. A terrorist incident at a major U.S. seaport could cripple commerce, destroy infrastructure, and endanger lives.
We need to install new technologies at our ports to detect chemical, biological and nuclear weapons before they cross our borders. Sophisticated technology like "smart containers" that use global positioning systems can help us track cargo. New computer programs can help us speed up the movement of legitimate cargo through our ports, allowing port authorities to focus on screening suspicious and potentially dangerous cargo.
(Here’s a link to the Littleton Observer, though the OpEd is not in its archives: http://www.littletonobserver.com/...
As the Post reported, most in power cared so little about this issue that Edwards could not get his concerns publicized. But, in fact, he was was clearly on the right track with his focus, all of which was abruptly and tragically brought home on September 11, 2001.
Besides Edwards's focus and foresight, making terrorism his top focus well before Sept. 11, 2001, the Post confirmed that when the time called, he was ready to act:
Because he had been working on legislative proposals on counterterrorism, Edwards introduced a broad bill within a week of the Sept. 11 attacks to tighten seaport security, including provisions for special Coast Guard units, the use of sea marshals and inspection of high-interest vessels. A month later, he co-sponsored a bill with Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) to improve preparedness against chemical and biological terrorism. He also proposed legislation to hinder cyberterrorism. None of the three made it to the floor for a vote, but elements were included in subsequent legislation.
Regardless of which candidate one supports in 2008, there is no doubt that even before our nation was struck by terrorists in 2001, John Edwards was aware of the threat faced by America and calling out for action to prevent harm from occurring. His words may not have prevented the specific harm that Bush seemed to know about in more specific terms, but Edwards was paying attention when many were not.
Did you hear that Giuliani, McCain and the rest of the GOP? If you brag on your abilities when it comes to terrorism, be ready for a smackdown from Mr. Edwards, the man who was actually on the lookout as Septmeber 11th approached, not asleep at the wheel or pretending to provide leadership while doing nothing!