Somebody asked for a list of President Clinton's anti-terrorism efforts?

[brentspeak]

This is a repost of mine from last year. I originally wrote it in response to a statement Karl Rove made claiming that "liberals" were "weak on terror". I'll post it again, because I see some DUers have put out a request for such a list. I apologize in advance for the political nature of this piece, as today is the 5th aniversary of the attacks. However, for the sake of transparency, I'll post the piece as it was originally written:
..............................................................................................

Apology? No, I don't ask for an apology from Mr.Rove. In fact, I'm grateful for what he said. It gives me an opportunity to speak about the differences between Democrats and Republicans when it comes to combatting terrorism.

It was a Democratic administration that captured and convicted the terrorists who attacked the WTC in 1993.

It was a Democrat who instituted the nation's first anti-terrorism policy, and who appointed the nation's first national coordinator of anti-terrorist efforts.

It was a Democratic administration that stopped the Al Qaeda millennium hijacking and bombing plots.

And a Democratic administration that stopped the planned attack to kill the Pope.

And a Democratic administration that stopped the planned attack to blow up 12 U.S. jetliners simultaneously.

A Democratic administration that stopped the planned attack to blow up LAX airport.

A Democratic administration that stopped the planned attack to blow up the George Washington Bridge.

A Democrat who tried to kill Osama bin Laden and disrupt Al Qaeda through preemptive strikes (efforts denounced by the G.O.P.).

A Democrat who named the Hart-Rudman commission to report on nature of terrorist threats and major steps to be taken to combat terrorism.

A Democrat who sent legislation to Congress to TIGHTEN AIRPORT SECURITY. (Remember, this is before 911) The legislation was defeated by the Republicans because of opposition from the airlines.)

A Democrat who sent legislation to Congress to allow for BETTER TRACKING OF TERRORIST FUNDING. It was defeated by Republicans in the Senate because of opposition from banking interests.

But it was a Republican president who flaunted a 30-day vacation at his ranch in the month prior to 9/11; a vacation coordinated by none other than Mr. Karl Rove to convey a public image of the President as "relaxed, and taking things easy."

And it was a Republican administration that drove not one but two anti-terrorism czars to resign in frustration, due to conflicts with the White House.

And it was a Republican National Security Advisor who, prior to 9/11, crafted a national security presentation that included mention of the Star Wars missile defense program, Cuba's Fidel Castro, and unaccounted nuclear materials from the former Soviet Union -- but no mention at all of Islamic terrorism.

So, no. No apology is necessary from Mr.Rove. A "You're welcome" would be more appropriate.

--Senator Brentspeak of DU

[quiet.american]

1. Excellent. Thank you.

A co-worker just casually mentioned to me -- "yeah, but Clinton didn't do much about terrorism, did he?"

This makes for a handy reference.

[whistle]

2. Thank you for re-listing this...

:kick:

[BeautifulLoser]

3. What about OKC?

Tim McVeigh and Terry Nichols?

How do I respond to Rethugs who claim he allowed OKC to happen??

[Crunchy Frog]

4. Are any of them claiming that?

Were they aprehended, tried and convicted after the attacks? What do they think the Rethugs would have done differently?

[BeautifulLoser]

5. Well

Republican members of my family claim is he did not stop it.

What could he have done??

[brentspeak]

6. s/k