This morning, the New York Daily News published my op-ed on President Barack Obama’s decision to close Guantanamo and suspend the Military Commissions:
With his shameful order to close Guantanamo Bay, President Obama has perfectly filled the stereotype of the classic clueless ultra-Liberal — the one who can generate great passion for the rights of the guilty defendant and none for the innocent victim.
With a single stroke of the pen, Obama has delayed justice for the victims of 9/11, and in essence granted a reprieve for Al Qaeda mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the architect of 9/11.
America does not honor our “rule of law and the rights of man” as he put in his inauguration speech by such an action. Instead, this nation abdicated its duty to justice.
It seems the new President is too far removed from the victims of 9/11. Victims like 11-year-old Bernard Curtis Brown, a passenger on American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon. Everyone onboard was killed, as well as [125] people in the Pentagon. Curtis was on a trip with several of his classmates to California sponsored by National Geographic.
Obama and the Democrats have had a blind spot for 9/11 and have yet to show they have an ounce of understanding what happened that day.
Here is why we were attacked: Muslim extremists hate Americans and want us dead. Our policies in no way influenced the vitriol perpetuated on innocent Americans on September 11, 2001. …
Please read the rest and scan down or click here to comment.
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Contact: mike@911familiesforamerica.org
Editor —
Mike’s brother was 9/11 hero FDNY Captain William F. Burke Jr., of Engine 21. CPT Burke perished on the North Tower’s 24th floor after choosing to stay with two workers — one a paraplegic — after the South Tower had collapsed, receiving the order to evacuate, and ordering his fire company to head down the stairs.
BTW, the title for Mike’s commentary was chosen by the Daily News, as is the norm. It sure seemed like he was slamming President Obama (not chiding him) to me..
Additional note: We thank Michelle Malkin and Bob Parks for their posts about this.
With the signing of the executive orders closing Guantanamo Bay and the banning of coerced interrogations, Obama now owns completely, the responsibility for any future terrorist attacks directed at US interests at home and abroad during his Presidency.
He has deliberately changed US counter terrorism policy that has kept us safe for the last seven years, in order to satisfy his left wing base. God forbid if another attack happens, the blood of the victims will be on his hands.
The audacity of irresponsibility is what I shall call Mr. Obama’s executive order. His actions undeniably solidify that his contempt for a former President’s policy trumps practicality and rationality. It is a known fact that there is no plan B for these detainees and he doesn’t even know where they will end up. In Obama’s leftist world, this logic is void and cancel. As a 9/11 family member I am disgusted and sincerely worried about the politics of this new administration. Placating to the far left and world wide opinion, should not replace safeguarding the citizens of the United States! This is the time to show our opposition and stand firm!
Mike,
I totally agree with you. I sent the following to Newsday on 1/23. I wonder if they will publish it in their letters to the editor.
“I am disappointed that, as one of his first acts since taking office, Barack Obama has chosen to make us less safe. The closing of Guantanamo Bay and the banning of coerced interrogations will compromise our national security. Anyone who thinks you will be able to get any useful information from a captured terrorist without using some form of coerced interrogation is simply naive. It will only be a matter of time now before the ramifications of these actions will be felt. When that next attack comes, Barack Obama should be held accountable.”
Hi Mike,
Al Qaeda is our enemy and our enemy does not deserve to be treated to flowers and chocolate. Look at the video that was released on Friday!
Regards,
Diane J.
You guys are real mature by using Obama’s middle name. Instead of blathering on about he is supposedly “friendly” with terrorists, how about you participate in more civil discourse locally and nationally?
I also don’t appreciate your generalization of Democrats and liberals. I’m sorry to inform you that torturing someone normally causes them to produce false answers. I’m sorry to inform you that torture only makes us look like villains ourselves.
Thank you Michael … this is a very strong message and I hope that all Americans will read this and understand the implications of President Obama’s decisions.
The victims of 9/11 deserve to have justice; the terrorists deserve nothing.
God bless you!
[...] Malkin has the following… This is an issue the Right should unite around immediately and in full force. 9/11 families are leading the way. Don’t miss this must-read from Michael Burke, brother of FDNY Capt. William F. Burke Jr., who was killed on Sept. 11, 2001, and follow-up from 9/11 Families for a Safe and Strong America. [...]
No one has ever done a scientific poll of 9/11 families. I am sure some were far right republicans, who think we should treat 9/11 murderers different from other murderers, but I doubt all are.
We don’t we ship all accused muderers to guantanmo? Do they hate less than 9/11 hijackers?
This is also the man whose first call as President was to the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, another BAD MOVE.
“Obama could grant these men full constitutional rights in an American court. And when they are exonerated, we, the U.S. taxpayers, supply a luxury cruise ship trip back home. And they will still hate us and want us dead. ”
If he grants them full constitutional rights, we’d be lucky to be rid of them with only the cost of a luxury cruise ship trip.
Instead, they’ll probably be allowed to settle here.
Obama IS a weak fool and the terrorists know it. They will strike now just as they knew to do so under the previous weak fool Jimmy Carter.
Kirls
[...] This is an issue the Right should unite around immediately and in full force. 9/11 families are leading the way. Don’t miss this must-read from Michael Burke, brother of FDNY Capt. William F. Burke Jr., who was killed on Sept. 11, 2001, and follow-up from 9/11 Families for a Safe and Strong America. Posted in: Gitmo Send to a Friend Printer Friendly comments (1) trackbacks (0) [...]
Obama has proven that he is on the side of our Enemies. So, my name for him, from now on is …
MULLAH HUSSEIN
I am angry to about what Mr. Obama did. I am a military mom and feel like the Democrats care more about the terrorists than what us Americans want. I am sad and disapppointed in some of my countrymen.
I am totally in agreeance with you and not only does he not have regard for those who lost their loved ones but also for the ones passed on you are so right!
He also claims to be a Christian and is allowing partial birth abortion once again . Maybe he should be present when the babies brains are sucked out. Maybe then he and his wife would finally see what partial birth is really about the baby is partially born.
Mike,
I and many other Americans are sorry for your loss and honor the memory of your brother and all of the other brave men and women that died on 9/11.
Unfortunately, Obama’s action are predictable, how can we expect someone who is comfortable associating with terrorists and considers them his friends (Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn), fight and prosecute them.
I wonder if the Today Show has called? Don’t hold your breath; they will not want to give you a forum as they did with the “Jersey Girls,” your story does not fit the “I hate George Bush” template.