Sally Regenhard, mother of a victim of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, holds up a sign Tuesday proclaiming her disagreement with testimony during the 9/11 commission hearings in New York. (click here)
Christopher Brodeur shouts from the audience as an unidentified woman, left, is removed by security personnel as they disrupt the end of testimony by former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani before the Sept. 11 Commission. (click here)
This panel is very important and I hope it is used to its maximum SCOPE. The Iraq War was engaged because of exploitation of the issue of WMD. I sincerely hope the Commission on WMD will not only estimate aggressions by terrorist networks, but, also work to eliminate the danger to the civilized world by these global elements that seek the 'clout' of an attack with such weapons.
I believe any country knows they can fall to the power of these weapons if they were ever to enter into the hands of terrorists and that is a global deterrent alone. However, the expertise of the commission and 'range' of its knowledge should not end with estimates, but, should extend into 'tracking' of any potential of proliferation of these weapons with knowledge of the 'ingredients' that lead to WMD experimentation (research and developement), as we have witnessed in al Qaeda video tapes. The Commission's findings today, should be exploited to build an extensive knowledge base that will lead to the end of these threats against civilization.
Such a Commission could add a great deal of security to other countries if they cooperate with intelligence by tracking 'potential' weapon proliferation in the wrong hands. And the NRA won't like this, but, there needs to be global tracking of guns and other paraphenrnalia of war. The United Nations knows all to well how inappropriate sales to rebel elements in other countries leads to instability and the death of citizens. It is always argued whether such sales are actually beneficial to 'freedom and democracy,' but, that is an inappropriate mandate of these elements of war and the United Nations and the World Court is supposed to be an entity of human rights and an ear to the needs and complaints of many.
I believe the Commission which began its work this year has provided a good beginning, but, needs to be supported to do more and expand its expertise and work. There might be some duplicity between them and the intelligence agencies, but, given the Valerie Plame incident it would seem there needs to be strong oversight of such antics to protect the lives and well being of our intelligence agencies anyway.
It might be appropriate for the Commission to hold additional hearings with the original 911 Commission members if that level of insight is beneficial to 'track' their progress and allow family members and victims to that day to continue to have a voice.
Panel: Bio attack likely in neAssociated Press - December 1, 2008 8:23 PM ET
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Associated Press - December 1, 2008 8:23 PM ET
WASHINGTON (AP) - A report obtained by The Associated Press says the U.S. can expect a terrorist attack using nuclear or biological weapons in the next five years.
Vice President-elect Joe Biden will be briefed tomorrow on the report from the Commission on the Prevention of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism.
The panel says the incoming administration should focus on the threat and recommends that one official on the National Security Council should exclusively coordinate U.S. intelligence and foreign policy on combating the spread of nuclear and biological weapons.
The report finds terrorist groups still lack the ability to make weapons out of pathogens or nuclear bombs. But it warns that gap can be easily overcome, if terrorists find scientists willing to share or sell their know-how.
1 of the leaders of the commission, former Florida Senator Bob Graham, says "time is not our ally."
