Tuesday, June 01, 2004

Declaration of War: In John Kerry's national security speech:

Today, we are waging a global war against a terrorist movement committed to our destruction.

To be honest, this is the first time I've heard John Kerry call this situation a "war". Maybe he's been saying it all along, and I've just missed it. But I'm happy to hear it now.

I thought about going through piece by piece and critiquing Kerry's proposed foreign policies -- highlighting what I like and don't like -- but I'm not going to bother (which is good, because I don't have time). I'm just happier that he is at least talking tough to the terrorists. I've heard so much on the left who fret about making the terrorists mad and consider any military endeavor on our part as a cause of terrorism, that I'm glad Kerry is separating himself from such nonsense and is talking about offensive operations against Al Qaeda.

I have a message today for al Qaeda or any terrorist who may be harboring these illusions: We may have an election in here in America. But let there be no doubt -- this country is united in its determination to destroy you. And let me be absolutely clear: As commander-in-chief, I will bring the full force of our nation's power to bear on finding and crushing your networks. We will use every available resource to destroy you.

And it looks like he's finally taking my advice (okay, it wasn't just mine):

We must also have the best possible intelligence capabilities. Nothing is more important than early warning and specific information when dangerous technologies are being developed or sold. Whether it was September 11th or Iraq’s supposed weapons of mass destruction, we have endured too many intelligence failures. That is why I will do what this President has failed to do: reform our intelligence system by making the next director of the CIA a true director of national intelligence, with true control over intelligence personnel and budgets all across the government.

Another good point is to get rid of our dependence on foreign oil -- hell on all oil for that matter, because there really is no other kind. And he specifically fired a warning shot across Saudi Arabia's bow. I like it, even though I recognize that it's risky.

That's the problem. We want to talk tough while maintaining international coalitions to root out terrorists. Bush is doing it one way. Kerry would do it a similar way. But let's agree, there is no easy way.