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National Security Adviser: Obama Makes US Safer

Jones rejects Cheney, notion that new policies increase vulnerability

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted May 28, 2009 7:33 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama's policies have made America a safer place, his national security adviser said yesterday in his first speech since taking the job. James Jones cited strategies like the renewal of ties with allies and rejected suggestions the president had made the US more vulnerable, AFP reports. "No administration is going to suggest that their performance had made the country less safe," the former Marine Corps general said in a clear rebuke to Dick Cheney.

"I firmly believe that the United States is not only safe but it will be more secure and the American people are increasingly safer because of the president's leadership that he has displayed consistently over the last four months, both at home and abroad," Jones said. "He has said clearly and unequivocally that we are at war with terrorism and terrorism can take many facets."

National Security Adviser James Jones delivers remarks on national security to the Atlantic Council in Washington yesterday.
National Security Adviser James Jones delivers remarks on national security to the Atlantic Council in Washington yesterday.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
 National Security Adviser James Jones, a forner marine general and NATO commander, speaks at a briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington earlier this month.
National Security Adviser James Jones, a forner marine general and NATO commander, speaks at a briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington earlier this month.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert )
National Security Adviser James Jones said plans like the closure of Guantanamo Bay are making the country safer.
National Security Adviser James Jones said plans like the closure of Guantanamo Bay are making the country safer.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
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I think that the former vice president knows full well that perfection is an impossible standard. - National Security Advisor James Jones

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Rob
May 28, 2009 11:05 AM CDT
Bush started one war, in Iraq. The Taliban was harboring a man responsible for killing 3000 innocent people, supporting an act of war against Americans on American soil. The war in Afghanistan was started by bin Laden and Mohammed Omar.
wwwonderer
May 28, 2009 3:15 AM CDT
This is my problem with 'safety'. NO ONE is ever completely safe. There will always be the possibility of danger, intentional or not. Why not just EVERYONE a suit of armor lined with asbestos or some other fire-retardant. No matter how much u spend on TSA, Homeland Security, etc., there will ALWAYS be the possibility of a 9/11. The trick is to A) Put competent people in power, not loyal yes-men lackies. B) Try not jerk off the warnings that you do get.
Observer
May 28, 2009 1:47 AM CDT
We are safer. Bush policies were disasterous - no other way to describe them. We are still fighting two wars he started. The costs are so astronomical that no one can say how much we are spending on what. Most of the world is at peace. Very few support our efforts in Iraq or Afghanistan. Very few. It is time we pulled out of both and let them rot or kill themselves. It is not our problem. Neither have any capacity to seriously harm us. The anomaly of 9/11 will always be a possibility. We need to worry about our internal state of affairs - the economy and the growing police state. Unmmanned surveillance, warrantless wiretaps, militarization of the police force. All the aspects of the Patriot Act which are anti-American and anti-civil rights. Join the ACLU and fight back people.

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