President Bush on Hugo Chávez

"These agreements also promote America's strategic interests. The first agreement that will come before you is with Colombia, a friend of America that is confronting violence and terror and fighting drug traffickers. If we fail to pass this agreement, we will embolden the purveyors of false populism in our hemisphere.

So we must come together, pass this agreement, and show our neighbors in the region that democracy leads to a better life."

Source

Related
This quote is from Admiral James Stavridis, head of the U.S. Southern Command:

I fear greatly that the connectivity between narcoterrorism and Islamic radical terrorism could be disastrous in this region. What I worry about in this region with outside actors coming into it is the potential for those streams to cross, if you will, for the fuel of narcoterrorism to become engaged in Islamic radicalism here in the Americas, here in our home."

"This gentleman is Mahmud Ahmadinejad, president of Iran, a state that sponsors terrorism. He is a very dangerous man and he is in this area of the world," he said, adding that, "President Ahmadinejad says he wants to have an embassy in every country in this region." He already has ten.

President Bush also discussed immigration reform (again) but ALSO recognized the need to secure our borders. The above quote from Admiral Stavridis (as well as the photograph) highlights the danger of an open border policy.

"The other pressing challenge is immigration. America needs to secure our borders. And, with your help, my administration is taking steps to do so. We're increasing work site enforcement, deploying fences and advanced technologies to stop illegal crossings.

We've effectively ended the policy of "catch and release" at the border. And by the end of this year, we will have doubled the number of border patrol agents.

Yet we also need to acknowledge that we will never fully secure our border until we create a lawful way for foreign workers to come here and support our economy.

This will take pressure off the border and allow law enforcement to concentrate on those who mean us harm.

We must also find a sensible and humane way to deal with people here illegally. Illegal immigration is complicated, but it can be resolved, and it must be resolved in a way that upholds both our laws and our highest ideals."

Source

President Bush on Iran
Iran's rulers oppress a good and talented people. And wherever freedom advances in the Middle East, it seems the Iranian regime is there to oppose it.

"Iran is funding and training militia groups in Iraq, supporting Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, and backing Hamas' efforts to undermine peace in the Holy Land.

Tehran is also developing ballistic missiles of increasing range and continues to develop its capability to enrich uranium, which could be used to create a nuclear weapon.

Our message to the people of Iran is clear. We have no quarrel with you. We have respect your traditions and your history. We look forward to the day when you have your freedom.

Our message to the leaders of Iran is also clear. Verifiably suspend your nuclear enrichment so negotiations can begin. And to rejoin the community of nations, come clean about your nuclear intentions and past actions. Stop your oppression at home. Cease your support for terror abroad.

But above all, know this: America will confront those who threaten our troops; we will stand by our allies; and we will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf."

Source

Labels: iran, terrorism in us

Polipundit has a post about the UN and global warming. Michelle has one about illegal aliens seeking hazmat licenses.

My favorite is this article in Townhall.com by Paul Driessen titled, Climate McCarthyism and Eco-Inquisitions: Censoring news and views to advance ideologies and legislation.

Here are some excerpts:

Al Gore wants to muzzle anyone who raises inconvenient truths about climate alarmism. Greenpeace wants “climate criminals” pilloried and silenced.Al Gore wants to muzzle anyone who raises inconvenient truths about climate alarmism. Greenpeace wants “climate criminals” pilloried and silenced.

It is, above all, an unprecedented power grab by activists, politicians and bureaucrats who want to be the final arbiters of every energy and economic decision.

Cataclysm theorists point to computer models. But models are not evidence. Neither are headlines, hype or Hollywood special effects – nor incessant claims that every storm, drought, heat wave or cold snap is due to fossil fuels.

Carbon taxes, carbon caps, greenhouse gas targets and timetables would send already high energy prices into the stratosphere, raise the cost of every consumer product and service, reduce profits, impair productivity, stifle innovation – and drive numerous jobs overseas, to countries where energy is still available and priced lower. Simply put, no juice – no jobs.

Let’s hope the march toward totalitarian government ends, wisdom prevails, and we again place our faith in American optimism, creativity, innovation and true social responsibility.

Labels: global warming, terrorism in us