POSITION PAPER
KEEPING AMERICA SAFE
The failed Christmas Day terrorist attack has once again brought forth the issue of defeating terrorism and keeping Americans safe.
The Islamist terrorists are committed to the literal destruction of the United States and our way of life. Under the U.S. Constitution, defending our country is the primary function of the federal government, and I believe that defeating Islamic terrorism is the most critical mission confronting our leaders. Yet, sadly, given the way President Obama and liberals like Tim Walz are mismanaging the terrorism issue, defeating al Qaeda may be contingent upon reclaiming political power from the liberal Democrats.
I believe it is critical we support bold counter-terrorism and anti-terrorism actions to apply maximum force upon Islamic terrorists and execute every feasible method to protect American life, liberty, and freedom.
For Americans, this is not a war of religious ideology, but it is for radical Islamists. To defeat Islamic terrorism our government must have the laws and courage to treat terrorists like terrorists. Islamic fighters are agents of fear, misery, and suffering. Their immediate goal is to kill Americans, strike fear in American hearts and minds, and destroy the American economy and culture, and ultimately our Nation.
Unfortunately, Washington, D.C. continues to let us down. More than 8 years after the 9-11 attacks, our country’s visa and immigration systems remain in disarray, America’s ports are insufficiently monitored, and our physical borders are routinely penetrated.
Washington, D.C. is doing an inadequate job of protecting us from Islamic extremists. Young men from Islamic-dominated nations, who have no legitimate reason to visit the United States, should not be granted access to our country. The United States is “our house” and we should only invite foreign nationals into “our house” when it suits our interests. Additionally, federal bureaucratic incompetence and a culture of political correctness are getting Americans killed. Proof of this is found in the Ft. Hood murders. Major Hasan should have been removed from his post, but bureaucratic bungling and worries over political correctness contributed to devastating loss of life.
President George W. Bush was not perfect on this issue, but I admire and respect his resolve to deter aggression and take the fight to the terrorists. Unfortunately, many of the effective measures implemented by President Bush have been repealed or undermined by the current administration and Congress.
This is a serious fight. The Islamists are exploiting 21st Century technology and weaponry with the intent of sending humanity back to the 10th Century. Effective efforts to combat terrorism require interrogations, military tribunals, and swift and just punishment, not rights and expensive show trials.
By handling terrorist activity as “a law enforcement matter,” rather than “an act of war,” the Obama administration projects weakness and signals an unwillingness to target and destroy the enemy or implement measures to adequately protect the United States. Providing Islamic terrorists with American Constitutional rights and the protections afforded American citizens is irresponsible and reckless. Terrorists should be given last rites, not Miranda Rights.
Rep. Tim Walz’s support for President Obama’s closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison; Walz’s suggestion that al Qaeda terrorists be housed in Rochester’s Federal Medical Center; Walz’s opposition to anti-terrorism and counter-terrorism measures used to monitor and intercept enemy communications in Islamic-dominated nations; and Walz’s support for the Obama administration’s policy of “Mirandizing” captured terrorists, is proof of the Congressman’s complete lack of appreciation, understanding, and weakness on the continuing terrorism threat to America.
Closing the Guantanamo Bay military prison is wrong and shortsighted. Relocating the enemy combatants held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the United States, may help Tim Walz and other liberals feel good, but it does nothing to protect Americans, and triggers unnecessary costs to the taxpayers.
On terrorism and the other key issues, Tim Walz listens only to President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and the fringe left, and ignores the moderate-to-conservative people of southern Minnesota. Tim Walz may have served in the National Guard for 24 years, but obviously that experience has not resulted in informed and intelligent votes on the House floor…and he does not get a pass on those votes because of his service.
We can, and must do better. The principles that made America great are worth defending.
Jim Hagedorn
Republican Candidate for Congress
Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District