News and Views

Whose War Is It, Really?
by Ray F. Chadwick

My last article related that a Political Platform should give an idea of that Party’s approach to governing. The NH Democrats’ Platform (http://www.nh-democrats.org/) states:

“We believe one of the most urgent problems facing the world today, which affects every individual in our State and nation, is the relationship of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, living in the Near East.”

It’s hard to disagree with that. Their solution, however, is worth some discussion:

“We demand that our national administration devise a plan that is free from killing and destruction that enables these groups to sit down together under skilled, professional leadership and work out ways to cooperate and live in peace. Our national resources should be spent on peacemaking.”

The belief that some form of international “intervention” would solve this problem presumes that (if our administration would just “enable” them) these adversaries would be disposed to peacemaking.

The fact is that Islamic fundamentalists and allied political groups have been waging war on the West, particularly on the United States, for years. The U.S. State Department’s web-site includes a document titled “Significant Terrorist Incidents, 1961 - 2003: A Brief Chronology”. Here are some excerpts:

• 1969: US airliner (TWA Flight 840) hijacked to Damascus, Syria and bombed
• 1970: Three airliners (two US) hijacked to Jordan and destroyed; 40 US citizens held for ransom
• 1973: US airliner (Pan American Flight 110) attacked in Rome, Italy; 29 killed
• 1979: United States embassy attacked and captured in Tehran, Iran; 53 staff held for 444 days
• 1983: United States Embassy bombed in Beirut, Lebanon; 63 killed, 120 wounded
• 1983: Marine barracks bombed in Beirut, Lebanon; 242 Americans killed
• 1985: US airliner (TWA Flight 847) hijacked to Beirut, Lebanon; 1 US serviceman murdered
• 1985: Italian cruise ship MV Achille Lauro captured; 1 US citizen murdered
• 1988: US airliner (Pan American Flight 103) bombed and destroyed over Scotland; 259 killed
• 1993: World Trade Center bombed; 6 killed, 1,000 injured
• 1996: Khobar Towers bombed in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; 19 US servicemen killed, 515 wounded
• 1998: United States Embassy bombed in Nairobi, Kenya; 291 killed, 5,000 injured
• 1998: United States Embassy bombed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 10 killed, 77 injured
• 2000: US Navy destroyer USS Cole bombed in Aden, Yemen; 17 US servicemen killed, 39 wounded
• 2001: World Trade Center attacked with two hijacked US airliners and destroyed; 2,760 killed
• 2001: Pentagon attacked with a hijacked US airliner; 212 killed
• 2001: United Airlines Flight 93 hijacked and destroyed, 45 killed

Attacks in the Middle East and Europe led to the United States by 1993. Our responses (negotiation, withdrawal from Lebanon in 1984, an occasional counter-attack, and criminal prosecutions) neither assuaged nor deterred the attackers, leading to the USS Cole attack and then to September 11, 2001.

During this period, technological advances enhanced the ability of terrorists to organize, communicate, plan and attack internationally.

• Air travel expansion provided for ease of movement and access to aircraft (as targets and weapons) and to flight training in the United States
• Copier technology improvements facilitated the creation of false documents
• Integrated financial networks with Internet access enabled rapid, covert transfers of funds worldwide
• Cellular, satellite, and Internet communications are more secure, difficult to trace, and in many cases free from surveillance under laws structured for switched networks
• Computers increased in power, capability and portability at decreasing cost
• Software for encryption, design, fluid dynamics, photo-shopping and digital media editing
• On-line information including technology, infrastructure design and location, maps, aerial reconnaissance, training manuals, defense postures and acquisitions, aircraft movements, etc.
• Machine tool quality enabled miniaturization of weapons and surveillance equipment
• Internet Web-sites provided a focus for organizing, recruiting, communications and propaganda
• Global television news broadcasts terrorist actions, influencing opinions and resolve of large groups

Over the years, terrorists have been emboldened by the US response to their actions and strengthened by new developments in technology, information and communications. They attacked our citizens, aircraft, military, ships and facilities throughout the world, including in the United States, long before George Bush became President.

What Bush did do was recognize and articulate that we were in a war, a war being waged by committed, well funded ideologues who have a long-term goal of defeating Western democracies (particularly the United States) and the demonstrated ability to bring their attacks to our shores.

Bush decided (with the support of the Congress) to fight back in an organized manner, including the coordinated use of intelligence and military assets, and to act offensively against known and potential adversaries, rather than waiting for them to strike us.

There are valid critiques on the decisions the Bush administration has taken in fighting this war.

But calling the War on Terror “Bush’s War” isn’t valid. It was here long before he was.

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Ray F. Chadwick is a resident of Bedford who is active in promoting conservative and Republican ideals.

NH DEMS, GOV. LYNCH TOOK HSU TAINTED CASH: Have you followed the scandal about Hillary’s fugitive fundraiser, Norman Hsu? Turns out Hsu gave $2,000 to Gov. Lynch last year, plus $5,000 to the NH Democrat Party and $5,000 to the NH Senate Caucus PAC. And, someone who lived at a house connected to Hsu gave another $2,000 to Lynch. Looks like the Dems will have to give it to charity. I hope they use a legit charity like the United Way or the Red Cross and not some group like Move On.

Read more at: NH Democrat Fundraising Scandal

SPECIAL INTEREST GAY RIGHTS GROUP AFFECTED NH ELECTIONS: I hope everyone saw this article in the Concord Monitor about how the Human Rights Campaign, a special interest group that advocates on gay rights issues, was active in NH last year.

Read more at: Special Interests Affected NH Elections

HODES & SHEA-PORTER, AKA “THE PELOSI TWINS”: The three of them vote together 98-99% of the time.

Check out: Hodes, Porter vote with Pelosi

SHEA-PORTER FINALLY HOLDS A TOWN HALL MEETING: Eight months after coming into office, Rep. Shea-Porter is finally holding her first NH town meeting. On her list of priorities, meeting with her New Hampshire constituents ranked below touring Guam, China, and Alaska and attending Georgetown parties with Arianna Huffington. Perhaps you’d like to attend to ask her some questions? Sat. 9/8 at 11:00 at the Carpenter School, Wolfeboro, 102 South Main Street (Rt. 109) or Sunday, 9/9 at 4:00 p.m. at Manchester City Hall, Elm Street.

HUMOR: “The Washington Post reports that Senator Hillary Clinton is trying to win the Democratic nomination by reaching out to women. After hearing this, Bill Clinton said, ‘Oh sure, when she does it, it’s okay.’” –Conan O’Brien

“Hillary Clinton says if she is elected president, she will use Bill Clinton as an ambassador because ’she can’t think of a better cheerleader for America.’ To which Bill Clinton said, ‘I can think of 20 and I have their phone numbers.’” –Conan O’Brien

“Hillary Clinton said today that public appearances with her and Bill would be rare. The only thing more rare? Private appearances with her and Bill.” –Jay Leno

Fergus Cullen
Chairman, New Hampshire Republican Party
10 Water Street
Concord, NH 03301
603-225-9341
fergus@nhgop.org