Mercnbeth
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Leadership exhibited. The transcript of the Presidential response to the Attack on the US.
Good morning, everybody. I wanted to take just a few minutes to update the American people on the attempted terrorist attack that occurred on Christmas Day and the steps we're taking to ensure the safety and security of the country.
The investigation's ongoing. And I spoke again this morning with Attorney General Eric Holder, the secretary of homeland security, Janet Napolitano, and my counter-terrorism and homeland security adviser, John Brennan. I asked them to keep -- continue monitoring the situation to keep the American people and members of Congress informed.
Here's what we know so far: On Christmas Day, Northwest Airlines Flight 253 was en route from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Detroit. As the plane made its final approach to Detroit Metropolitan Airport, a passenger allegedly tried to ignite an explosive device on his body, setting off a fire.
Thanks to the quick and heroic actions of passengers and crew, the suspect was immediately subdued, the fire was put out, and the plane landed safely. The suspect is now in custody and has been charged with attempting to destroy an aircraft.
A full investigation has been launched into this attempted act of terrorism, and we will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable.
Now, this was a serious reminder of the dangers that we face and the nature of those who threaten our homeland. Had the suspect succeeded in bringing down that plane, it could have killed nearly 300 passengers and crew, innocent civilians preparing to celebrate the holidays with their families and friends.
The American people should be assured that we are doing everything in our power to keep you and your family safe and secure during this busy holiday season.
Since I was first notified of this incident, I've ordered the following actions to be taken to protect the American people and to secure air travel.
First, I directed that we take immediate steps to ensure the safety of the traveling public. We made sure that all flights still in the air were secure and could land safely. We immediately enhanced screening and security procedures for all flights, domestic and international. We added federal air marshals to flights entering and leaving the United States. And we're working closely in this country, federal, state and local law enforcement, with our international partners.
Second, I've ordered two important reviews, because it's absolutely critical that we learn from this incident and take the necessary measures to prevent future acts of terrorism.
The first review involves our watch list system, which our government has had in place for many years to identify known and suspected terrorists so that we can prevent their entry into the United States. Apparently the suspect in the Christmas incident was in this system, but not on a watch list, such as the so-called no-fly list. So I have ordered a thorough review, not only of how information related to the subject was handled, but of the overall watch list system and how it can be strengthened.
The second review will examine all screening policies, technologies and procedures related to air travel. We need to determine just how the suspect was able to bring dangerous explosives aboard an aircraft and what additional steps we can take to thwart future attacks.
Third, I've directed my national security team to keep up the pressure on those who would attack our country. We do not yet have all the answers about this latest attempt, but those who would slaughter innocent men, women and children must know that the United States will more -- do more than simply strengthen our defenses. We will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, to dismantle and defeat the violent extremists who threaten us, whether they are from Afghanistan or Pakistan, Yemen or Somalia, or anywhere where they are plotting attacks against the U.S. homeland.
Finally, the American people should remain vigilant, but also be confident. Those plotting against us seek not only to undermine our security, but also the open society and the values that we cherish as Americans. This incident, like several that have preceded it, demonstrates that an alert and courageous citizenry are far more resilient than an isolated extremist.
As a nation, we will do everything in our power to protect our country. As Americans, we will never give in to fear or division. We will be guided by our hopes, our unity, and our deeply held values. That's who we are as Americans; that's what our brave men and women in uniform are standing up for as they spend the holidays in harm's way. And we will continue to do everything that we can to keep America safe in the new year and beyond.
Three days after the event. Three days when the rest of the country knew the perpetrator's name - Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, age - 23, birth country - Nigeria, and Al-Qaeda was taken credit for the attempt; the President does not find it appropriate to make any reference to those facts. Three days later, not while sitting in a school room full of children but on vacation he takes a break from the golf course to speak to his country. Three days after passengers on the flight came forward and, in detail, reported how Mr. Abdulmutallab tried to blow up the aircraft - the President says; "As the plane made its final approach to Metropolitan Airport, a passenger allegedly tried to ignite an explosive device...". Now we have an allegedly new plan in place. To protect us from those that can not, and will not be named?
Mr. President, three days after the event, "those who would attack our country" can be labeled terrorists, or if you prefer 'freedom fighters' of Islamic descent. We all know this was a terrorist attack, as part of the ongoing war perpetrated by Islamic radicals against the US. Will not specifically naming them convert them into being our friends? Is that your Presidential strategy?
Those announcing that Mr. Abdulmutallab was only the first of a promised new wave of terrorists don't have any PC agenda. That would be Al Qaeda. We know his name Mr. President. We know those who support and champion his cause. His "failed terrorist attack" was 80% successful. Acting, if not on behalf, under the belief he was serving Al Qaeda goals, the attack succeeded in disrupting air service, added costs to our already financially encumbered private sector airline industry, and once again pointed to the lack of pragmatic security procedures. He got on board despite being on a watch list, despite his father's reports to authorities of his general intent if not this specific attempt.
The talking and apology tour isn't generating any result making anyone more secure. Iran waiting on a shipment of enriched uranium from Kazakhstan. Iran is close to clinching a deal to clandestinely import 1,350 tons of purified uranium ore from Kazakhstan, according to an intelligence report obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday. Diplomats said the assessment was heightening international concern about Tehran's nuclear activities. Iran was worthy a mention at the end of this "all is well" speech. A "good luck we're on your side" to the people dying in the streets struggling against the regime whose President doesn't apologize for anything; who regularly instead promises "death to the USA." Do I want my President to act similarly - no. However I do want to see strength and confidence coming from the man. Hasn't enough time gone by for him to realize he's now the President and not campaigning for the office?
An interesting side-bar; The U.S. has transferred a dozen Guantanamo detainees to Afghanistan, Yemen and the Somaliland region as the Obama administration continues to move captives out of the facility in Cuba. Six Yemeni detainees also were sent home. Yemenis Jamal Muhammad Alawi Mari, Farouq Ali Ahmed, Ayman Saeed Abdullah Batarfi, Muhammaed Yasir Ahmed Taher, Fayad Yahya Ahmed al Rami and Riyad Atiq Ali Abdu al Haf. (Published the names just in case you're considering travel and happen to see any of them on the 'stand by' passengers list.) Yup - this Yeman; The arrest of alleged terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, and the young Nigerian man's links to Yemen, have brought a new focus on the fight against rising extremism in a country where al Qaeda has clearly become more comfortable. The current Administration's version of the 'catch & release' program for 'those who can not be named' suffering at Gitmo.
For contrast, here is the 'official' Al Qaeda response - also published three days after the fact.
quote:
"In the name of Allah the All-Merciful.
"Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
"(The operation of the mujahid brother Omar Al-Farooq the Nigerian).
"In response to the American attack on Yemen.
"Praise be to Allah, who said 'Fight them until there is no fitna [strife], and the religion is all Allah's' [Surat Albaqara 2, verse 193].' Prayers and peace be upon the Messenger, the seal of the prophets, who said 'I have been supported with fear [of me] that stretches as far as one-month's walk' [hadith attributed to Jaber bin Abdallah and agreed upon by all collections of hadiths].
"With Allah's grace, the hero mujahid martyrdom-seeker, brother Omar Al-Farooq, carried out a quality operation on an American plane that took off from the Dutch city of Amsterdam to the American city of Detroit, while they were celebrating the Christmas holiday on Friday December 25, 2009, [an operation] which broke through all modern advanced technological equipment and security barriers in world airports, with courage and determination, not fearing death, placing his trust in Allah, breaking with his great act the legend of American and international intelligence, demonstrating its frailty, rubbing their noses in the dust [in humiliation], and making all they have spent upon security technologies a waste for them.
"The unity of Islamic belief and fraternity is what propelled the rich youth of Nigerian origin, the mujahid brother Omar Al-Farooq, to respond directly to the oppressive American attack on the Arabian peninsula, in direct coordination with Allah's grace with the mujahideen in the Arabian peninsula, following the savage bombing using cluster bombs and cruise missiles that was launched from American ships that occupy the Gulf of Aden. All of this was launched on the noble Yemenite tribes in Abyan and Arhab, and finally in Sibwa, [in an attack] that killed scores of Muslim women and children, and families in their entirety. These operations were carried out through Yemenite-American-Saudi coordination, together with some of the neighboring countries.
"The mujahideen brothers in the department of producing weapons managed to produce, with Allah's grace, an explosive device of advanced technological [capabilities], which was tested and proven to be successful and effective, and it was passed through the [airport's] security screening equipment. The martyrdom seeker brother reached his goal, with Allah's grace, but due to Allah's will a malfunction happened which caused only a partial detonation rather than a full one. And we will continue in this path, Allah willing, until we reach our goal so that religion is all Allah's." SOURCE LINK
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