February 9, 2010

John Brennan was on MTP Sunday to talk about our national security and really took some shots at the Republicans who haven't found an issue they can turn into a game of politics.

He called out Kit Bond and other GOPers when he said that they were briefed fully and now they are crying like morons (my words) and acting like political hacks who do not have the best interests of protecting America. Politicizing the "Underwear Bomber" like they have only emboldens terrorists.

JOHN BRENNAN: Whether they be U.S. Citizens or non-U.S. Citizens. Richard Reid, Ahmed Razam (PH)-- Amari (PH) and others. They were brought into custody by law enforcement officials and then treated accordingly. So, there was no distinction. And in fact, the F.B.I.'s-- guidelines that they used, the F.B.I. domestic investigations and operations guide, was the implementation of the Attorney General guidelines that were finalized by Attorney General Casey in the last Administration. In December of 2008.

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JOHN BRENNAN: And quite frankly, I'm tiring of politicians using national security issues such as-- terrorism as a political football. They are going out there. They're-- they're unknowing of the facts. And they're making charges and allegations that are not anchored in reality.

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JOHN BRENNAN: On Christmas night, I called a number of-- senior members of Congress. I spoke to Senators McConnell and Bond. I spoke to Representative Boehner and Hoekstra . I explained to them that he was in F.B.I. custody. That Mr. Abdulmutallab was in fact talking. That he was cooperating at that point. They knew that in F.B.I. custody means that there's a process then you follow as far as mirandizing and presenting him in front of the magistrate.

None of those individuals raised any concerns with me, at that point. They didn't say, "Is he going into military custody? Is he going to be mirandized?" They were very appreciative of the information. We told them we'd keep them informed. And that's what we did. So, there's been-- quite a bit of an outcry after the fact. Where again, I'm just very concerned on behalf of the counterterrorism professionals throughout our government that politicians continue to make this a political football. And are using it for whatever political or partisan purposes.

Brennan also wrote a piece for USA TODAY called "We Need No Lectures," "bashing the GOP over their counterproductive behavior on our national security issues which is actually helping al-Qaeda in their efforts to create more fear in America..

Politics should never get in the way of national security. But too many in Washington are now misrepresenting the facts to score political points, instead of coming together to keep us safe.

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Cries to try terrorists only in military courts lack foundation. There have been three convictions of terrorists in the military tribunal system since 9/11, and hundreds in the criminal justice system — including high-profile terrorists such as Reid and 9/11 plotter Zacarius Moussaoui.

This administration's efforts have disrupted dozens of terrorist plots against the homeland and been responsible for killing and capturing hundreds of hard-core terrorists, including senior leaders in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and beyond — far more than in 2008. We need no lectures about the fact that this nation is at war.

Politically motivated criticism and unfounded fear-mongering only serve the goals of al-Qaeda. Terrorists are not 100-feet tall. Nor do they deserve the abject fear they seek to instill. They will, however, be dismantled and destroyed, by our military, our intelligence services and our law enforcement community. And the notion that America's counterterrorism professionals and America's system of justice are unable to handle these murderous miscreants is absurd.

Liberals are no fans of Brennan, but when he speaks like a serious person we'll listen. Peter King, Kit Bond and all his pals should stop the fearmongering. Do they love al-Qaeda that much? Instead they continue the assault on the President. They have been in campaign mode ever since he took office -- regardless of the consequences.

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