Law Enforcement Again Successful Against Terrorism

As a discussion forum linking here already noted today, the arrest of six men in a plot to kill soldiers at Fort Dix, is more proof that Kerry was right on fighting terrorism. During the 2004 campaign, Kerry argued that fighting terrorism was “far less of a military operation and far more of an intelligence-gathering law enforcement operation. Republicans attacked him, but Kerry has repeatedly been proven right. The major successful actions against terrorism have been the results of police and intelligence action–not even requiring illegal wiretaps or torture.

This is not to say that law enforcement and intelligence are the only tools. Democrats such as John Kerry have recommended a multi-faceted approach. Sometimes military action is necessary, but it is there the failures of the Republicans are most obvious, as when they failed to send in US troops and allowed Osama bin Laden to escape at Tora Bora.

Hamas Using Mickey Mouse Look-Alike To Teach Terrorism to Kids

As part of the multicultural viewpoint at Disney, Jasmine has been added to the Disney princesses. The Arab world is represented in Epcot by Moraco, with so signs of conflict with the west. If we can trust Fox News, Hamas has repaid Disney by stealing their most famous character, and using a Mickey look-alike to teach terrorism to kids. Walt would not approve.

Update: More at Spiegel Online
Update II: Hamas has dropped Terrorist Mickey

It’s The Message, Not The Medium

TechRepublican.com discusses the down turn in support for Republicans and blames it on the Republicans failing to utilize the internet as effectively as Democrats. If I might give them a bit of advice: a bad message will fail regardless of how well you use the internet to promote it.

Republicans have lost their majority not because of failing to get their message out, but because after years of Republican rule people are catching on and have rejected their message.

You cannot claim to support freedom and smaller government when you are the party of increased government intrusion in individual’s lives.

You cannot claim to be the party of national security when your party ignored multiple warnings about 9/11 prior to the attack, and then responded to the attack by retaliating against the wrong country.

You cannot claim to support the free market, and then promote corporate welfare and the K Street Project.

Regardless of how well the Republicans use the internet, people will see Republicans as the party which interferes with abortion rights, intrudes in personal decisions such as in the Schiavo case, opposes separation of church and state, got us entangled in the quagmire in Iraq, and was unprepared to handle the aftermath of Katrina. Republicans need to reform their party and change their message first. Then they can consider how to get their message out to voters.

Senate Republicans Becoming Impatient Over Failure of Iraq Policy

Add Senate Republican Whip Trent Lott and Minority Leader John Boehner to the list of Republicans who might be backing away from Bush’s Iraq policy:

Senate Republican Whip Trent Lott (news, bio, voting record) said Monday that President Bush’s new strategy in Iraq has until about fall before GOP members will need to see results.

Lott’s comment put a fine point on what Senate Republican stalwarts have been discussing quietly for weeks. It also echoed remarks made this weekend by House Minority Leader John Boehner (news, bio, voting record), R-Ohio, indicating the GOP’s limited patience on the war.

“I do think this fall we have to see some significant changes on the ground, in Baghdad and other surrounding areas,” Lott, R-Miss., told reporters.

Update:  More at The Washington Post