On Friday, ABC News released a tape in which Osama bin Laden, the most infamous terrorist of our time said, \Your security is not in the hands of Kerry or Bush or al-Qaida; your security is in your own hands."" That video ignited a ring of political pundits pointing the finger at one another over who Osama bin Laden wants to be elected President of the United States. Haven't you had enough of this complete ridiculousness?
I'm sick and tired of everyone playing partisan politics with the war on terror. I happen to disagree with Bush's policy of this unprecedented war in Iraq, but I've had enough of the spinning. I can't think of something that I care less about than whether or not bin Laden supports Kerry or Bush. No one knows who he wants to be elected president, but beyond that, no one should care.
People arguing over this videotape are the same people who are playing into Osama's hands and diminishing our security. Think about the one thing that we all are working towards in this country: the safety and security of ourselves and our loved ones and the citizens of the United States. We need to start coming together and uniting in the very same way that all Americans did after 9/11. Remember how nice it felt to have that sense of unity in this country? I certainly do.
Here's the silly argument people are and going in circles on:
Kerry Hack: ""See! Osama bin Laden is still alive and Bush ignored him when we could have gotten him in the mountains of Tora Bora!""
Bush Hack: ""We haven't had a major terrorist attack here since 9/11 and we will capture Osama bin Laden eventually!""
Don't you see how that gets us nowhere in this country? Every minute we waste not coming together, the terrorists have more time to plan their next attack. Osama is probably sitting back, watching all of these partisan hacks run around like chickens with their heads cut off, and laughing his head off. Pun intended there.
Speaking of ""head off,"" every clear thinking American wants Osama bin Laden's head on a platter. Liberals don't want to ""defend the country with spitballs,"" as Zell Miller likes to say. President Bush doesn't intend to let Osama bin Laden run around. Both Bush and Kerry want him brought to justice just like everyone else in this country.
Whoever gets elected president of the United States in this extremely tight election will hopefully be known very shortly. Let's try to accept it and move on once the results are finalized. I will personally be voting for Kerry, in large part because I think he would wage a more effective war on terrorism and restore some credibility with America that, in my opinion, is so desperately needed for better insuring our safety. Remember, it's all about safety. Both candidates want America to be safe. You just have to decide which candidate's policies you think would make our county more safe.
After this election is over, we'll have four years of either Bush or Kerry. If Kerry wins the presidency, he may very well have to work with a Republican controlled house and/or senate. If Bush wins, it could be the opposite. This whole terrorism issue will be far from over, as we will unfortunately have to deal with this issue our entire lives.
The best way to deal with the terrorists is not to play partisan politics all the time, only to run around in circles like chickens with our heads cut off. The best approach we can take is to work cooperatively with each other and adopt some moderate approach to fighting terrorism that everyone can agree on, rather than partisan ideologues on both sides constantly bickering and getting us nowhere. Let's use the great power of the American people to keep you and I safe for the next four years.
Casey Hoff is a senior majoring in business. He can be heard weekdays from 9 to 11a.m. on Talk Radio 1670 AM.
