Edwards International Anti-Terrorism Unit

[Marshal Murat]

Edward suggests an International Anti-Terrorism Task Force

NEW YORK (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards is proposing an international organization to fight terrorism through shared intelligence - cooperation that he says will combat the dangers facing the United States where President Bush has failed.

"We need a counterterrorism policy that will actually counter terrorism," Edwards said in remarks prepared for delivery at Pace University. "We've got to throw away the failed George Bush policies of the past, and move in a bold new direction."

The 2004 vice presidential nominee was delivering his speech four days before the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, not far from Ground Zero. The speech also comes in chief primary rival Hillary Rodham Clinton's home district, and he made a point of challenging he notion that post-9/11 reforms have made the nation safer.

"Today, terrorism is worse in Iraq, and it's worse around the world," Edwards said in excerpts provided by his campaign. "It means the results are in on George Bush's so-called global war on terror and it's not just a failure, it's a double-edged failure."

Edwards said the centerpiece of his terrorism policy will be a new multilateral organization called the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Treaty Organization. He said it will be designed to coordinate operations like the recent arrest of three suspected terrorists in Germany who were suspected of plans to bomb airports and other institutions in the country.

"Those nations who join will, by working together, show the world the power of cooperation," Edwards said. "Those nations who join will also be required to commit to tough criteria about the steps they will take to root out extremists, particularly those who cross borders. Those nations who refuse to join will be called out before the world."

Edwards accused Bush of focusing on Cold War institutions designed to win traditional wars instead of cooperation with allies to take out small hostile groups. He also accused him of "an exclusively short-term focus on the enemy we know" and "a foreign policy of convenience that readily does business with whoever is available and regularly turns a blind eye when our allies behave wrongly or fail to cooperate."

"Most of all, instead of reckless, solo pursuit of an ideological agenda that abandons our moral authority and disregards our allies, we need to re-engage with the world and reassert our moral leadership," Edwards said.

Now while it is a good idea, isn't that why we have INTERPOL?
Or, my primary fear, is that this will become an over-arching, super-spying, controlling and manipulative group who turns on the creators, becoming the new rulers of the world. I mean, giving them the tools to go out and combat terrorism, well, what is terrorism? Is is really fighting oppressive conditions or is it actually a group who has become disillusioned? Too much international power....

I'm worried, how about you?

[Don Corleone]

The U.S. doesn't place the FBI and other domestic agencies under the direct authority of Interpol. Edwards' plan would. This is just one more scheme by Edwards to weaken our autonomy. See, far-lefties like Edwards... they see America's independence as a very, very bad thing. Much worse than global terrorism. All the world needs is to hamstring America's sovereignty. Terrorism can be dealt with later, right now, knee-capping the Western giant is #1 on their priority list.

[JR-]

What will be their remit?
How will they go about achieving that remit?
To whom will they be accountable?
How will this accountability translate to the voting public?
And which electorate in contentious issues?

This is frankly a toss idea.

[HoreTore]

Oh yes, Don Corleone, the Interpol has been a complete DISASTER for every european country, and it has severely weakened each country's independence.


Or maybe not...

[Ice]

Oh yes, Don Corleone, the Interpol has been a complete DISASTER for every european country, and it has severely weakened each country's independence.


Or maybe not...

Placing our agencies like the FBI, etc. under foreign control would extremely weaken this country's sovereignty.

[HoreTore]

Placing our agencies like the FBI, etc. under foreign control would extremely weaken this country's sovereignty.

Why is that, when it has not weakened us?

[Ser Clegane]

Placing our agencies like the FBI, etc. under foreign control would extremely weaken this country's sovereignty.

Is that actually suggested anywhere? The article certainly does not say anything like that (and Interpol also does not mean that e.g., German agencies are under "foreign control").

Closer cooperation does not necessarily mean that you are giving up your own control. The article already mentions a good (and successful) example of close co-operation. It seems to me that Edward's proposal just suggests to further institutionalize such co-operation to make sure that vital information does not get lost in the "cracks".
IMHO a good thing - however, it's success would (as always) very much depend on how you manage to implement the idea - and I don't see the article expanding on that point.

[Ice]

Why is that, when it has not weakened us?

It's pretty straight forward, Horetore. Placing your own intelligence agency under an international control will weaken your own sovereignty.

I have no idea about any of the European countries intelligence agencies.

[Ice]

Is that actually suggested anywhere? The article certainly does not say anything like that (and Interpol also does not mean that e.g., German agencies are under "foreign control").

I didn't read the article yet, so I don't know. I was responding to Horetore's claim about Don Corolone's post.

[HoreTore]

It's pretty straight forward, Horetore. Placing your own intelligence agency under an international control will weaken your own sovereignty.

I have no idea about any of the European countries intelligence agencies.

Look at Ser Clegane's post, he explains it very well.

[Tribesman]

Terrorism can be dealt with later, right now, knee-capping the Western giant is #1 on their priority list.

Perhaps they have a point Don .
When wishing to obtain a delicate piece of porcelain knee capping the bull in the china shop is a good idea isn't it .
It saves sweeping all the messed up splinters into one pan and trying to glue them back together in some semblance of order while seperating the junk doesn't it...especially if the bull is still raging and charging at the pan mixing the good and bad into an inseperable jumble all the time ....just a thought like

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Gee, he even gave it am acronym name that sounds like NATO, so it must be good.

Folks, there is nothing wrong with coordination (the recent arrest in Germany is an example thereof; not an idication of the failure thereof, well spun Edwards!) and coordinating some intelligence functions to achieve those ends is a must.

But please remember, all Edwards has done is propose a COMMITTEE. This is standard Washington congressional practice to appear concerned on an issue while guaranteeing you don't have to really do anything. You see, if you DO something then a voter may evaluate you on your performance and not be happy with the results (see GW Bush of late). FAR, FAR better to appear deeply concerned without having any nasty details to get in the way and come back to haunt you. It's the same old political tradition of generalities on parade.

Edwards has, in essence, suggested that "We have to work together to defeat terrorism." Well, no [e.d.] Dick Tracy. He then trotted out a few classic Democrat red-meat tidbits about the current Oval Officer. SSDD.

When a serious policy proposal with details is on the table, and to which Edwards will lay claim and take the hit for if we think it sucks, let me know.

[Lemur]

But please remember, all Edwards has done is propose a COMMITTEE.

Don't you dare be reasonable. Everybody knows this is a first move toward ZOG.

[Papewaio]

So all those special forces guys who have cross trained in other nations under other nations command have weakened the US sovereignty?

[Seamus Fermanagh]

So all those special forces guys who have cross trained in other nations under other nations command have weakened the US sovereignty?

Absolutely! One "joint" tour over in Europe by our SEALs or Deltas and the poor buggers start thinking soccer is a sport and that chablis is a fine pairing with Brie.

Takes us months to get them re-integrated -- up to a year if the NFL isn't in season at the time.

[Papewaio]

And longer if the baseball players are on strike too I imagine.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

And longer if the baseball players are on strike too I imagine.

Sadly no. George Will and I still prefer the USA's traditional game, but for most football is the king of all sports.

[Papewaio]

Football has the Rice Bubble factor going for it.

[HoreTore]

Sadly no. George Will and I still prefer the USA's traditional game, but for most football is the king of all sports.

The word "football" refers to the sport where the ball is kicked by the foot, and not touched by the hand. The balls is also round, and the teams have 10 field players and a goalie.

Do not stray from the fold...

[Ja'chyra]

Sounds great

an international organization to fight terrorism through shared intelligence

Well when the US wont even front up to blue on blues I doubt this will work.

nations who refuse to join will be called out before the world

This would just put my back up, we already co-operate with other countries, should we change because the US tells us to? Maybe a less harsh approach might work better, what's that saying about flies and honey.

[Papewaio]

The word "football" refers to the sport where the ball is kicked by the foot, and not touched by the hand. The balls is also round, and the teams have 10 field players and a goalie.

Do not stray from the fold...

Actually I think you will find that handball refers to a game where you must use the hands and no footwork, while football is a game that can use the feet. And considering that football aka 'soccer' is not the oldest codified sport of its ilk it can't really claim exclusive usage to the term.

[HoreTore]

Actually I think you will find that handball refers to a game where you must use the hands and no footwork, while football is a game that can use the feet. And considering that football aka 'soccer' is not the oldest codified sport of its ilk it can't really claim exclusive usage to the term.

Of course it can. And why? BECAUSE I SAID SO!

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Of course it can. And why? BECAUSE I SAID SO!

Yeah, but you come from a culture where somebody decided that caraway seeds were a tasty basis for liquor. Clearly any opinion you have must be considered suspect.

[HoreTore]

Yeah, but you come from a culture where somebody decided that caraway seeds were a tasty basis for liquor. Clearly any opinion you have must be considered suspect.

Not really... We only tell OTHER people that it tastes good...

[Goofball]

I think this idea rocks! Haven't you guys read Rainbow Six? Don't you want to see Chavez and Mr. Clark kicking ass in Euro Disney?

Smarten up, people...