Guest Post: A Gold Star Mother writes President Obama

by Doug

 

Marc Lee
Marc Alan Lee
First Navy SEAL killed in Iraq 8-2-06
An open letter to President Obama

by Debbie Lee

It is with a heavy heart for my country that I write to you today. I pray that you will be inspired, challenged, and that you will reconsider decisions that you have made in the past week since you took the oath to preserve, protect and defend our constitution.

Many in my family have taken a similar oath in the military including my sons Kristofer & Marc, my son-in-law Chris, my brother Jim and my Father.
 

"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

 
They along with every other Veteran have paid for my freedoms and the freedoms of every American. They have given and sacrificed so much. Some have paid the ultimate price as my son Marc Alan Lee did on Aug 2, 2006. He was the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq. He made the choice to stand up into the direct line of fire three times that day fighting for the rights of those who couldn’t fight and bravely defending the defenseless. He told me we were making a difference in Iraq and he knew it was the right thing to do. He fought the terrorists over in Iraq so that we would not have to fight them on American soil or fear another attack on our homeland.
 
We have heard the success stories in Ramadi and the Al-Anbar province where Marc fought. He directly impacted the history of the world. My son successfully completed his mission that day but it required the sacrifice of his life to save other’s. He chose to do that, he was a young man who valued others lives more important than his own.
 
I remember the day I found out I was pregnant with him, just two weeks after a divorce from his abusive Father. I had a 3 year old son and an 18 month old daughter and didn’t get support from their Father. How would we ever survive? I could barely afford food for the two little ones I had, let alone another baby. There were those who told me that abortion was the solution. I already had an abortion at 17 and it would have been easy to do that again, but I had learned the hard way that abortion was taking the life of an unborn child and wasn’t a solution.
 
As a single parent for most of their life, I struggled – sometimes working 3 jobs to take care of them. It wasn’t easy and there wasn’t any light at the end of the tunnel, but by God’s grace and mercy I have three amazing children.
 
Can you imagine how different this world would have been without Marc? I still hear amazing stories of lives that have been inspired and touched by this amazing man who gave his life away so that others may live. It could even be your life that Marc spared as he fought the terrorists and brought them the justice they deserved. Marc and others just like him have fought and given you and me the gift of life by defending us against enemies foreign and domestic.
 
This past week a nation watched as you signed Executive Orders that have horrific consequences.
 
You didn’t waste any time signing an order to close Guantanamo Detention Camps. My son gave up his life fighting the terrorists so we wouldn’t have to face them in America ever again, and now your actions will bring these vile radical terrorist to American soil and give them the same rights as citizens of America have? 
 

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“Hell With Icicles”

by Doug

Hurtgen Forest

Hurtgen Hotel

This week marks the sixtieth-fourth anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge. That battle, known to the Germans as the “Ardennes Offensive,” started in December 1944 and was the last major German offensive on the Western Front during World War II. The German army sought to cut the Allied line in two, capture Antwerp, Belgium, and sweep north to encircle and destroy four Allied armies, with the hope of forcing the war-wearied Allies to sue for peace.

Although it ended up being unsuccessful, the offensive nevertheless tied down huge amounts of Allied resources, and the initial slow response of the Allies to the resulting gap (“bulge”) in their lines cost them many months in the timetable to finally wrap up the war in Europe. Despite several years of war, and the general feeling following the success of the Allied push starting months earlier with D-Day that the war with Germany was in its final stage, the surprise Battle of the Bulge ended up being the largest battle the United States Army had fought up to that date.

At the start of the battle on December 16th, the American forces in the zone numbered 80,000 men, 400 tanks and 400 guns. The Germans outnumbered the stunned Americans at the start of the offensive with 200,000 men, 600 tanks (which were superior to ours in all accounts), and 1900 heavy artillery guns. When the battle officially ended on January 15th, 1945, the American/Allied forces sustained 78,000 casualties with 8,607 dead, 21,144 captured or missing and 47,139 wounded. 733 tanks were lost. The Germans suffered 68,000 casualties with 17,236 dead, 16,000 captured or missing and 34,439 wounded. The Germans also lost 700 tanks, leaving many deserted on the battlefield for lack of fuel.

On December 16th, recently recovered from a Dec. 2nd Purple Heart wound, a young Camille E. Pepin of Woonsocket, RI found himself in the thick of some of the heaviest fighting in the European theater- facing the German enemy at its most desperate point, willing to do almost anything to defend the final approaches to the Fatherland. He describes the situation. “You went on with so much fear… So much thought of never coming back. You didn’t want to be reminded of home because you didn’t think you were coming back. I remember the screaming shells all around. The rockets at night- every night… and the smell. The smell of powder and burning pine. There was death all around. Landmines everywhere. You needed to follow paths with wires to avoid stepping on one. It really was, as they say, HELL WITH ICICLES… the surrounding woods, no matter where you were, were filled with dead, frozen bodies.”

Young Pepin spent an extended period of heavy combat in and around St. Vith during the Bulge and continuing after into the German heartland, all the way through to the end of hostilities in Europe. Fighting in the Bulge was actually a part of the larger campaign in which he participated- one less famous—but in fact, more deadly– that had been going on for many weeks prior to the start of the German offensive.

 

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[Bumped- Today is the day!] “Wreaths of Remembrance”

by Doug

wreaths in NH

Wreaths of Remembrance 2007 (GG file photo)

Last year the Blue Star Mothers of NH (BSMNH) decorated the NH Veterans Cemetery with "Wreaths of Remembrance" in conjunction with the "Wreaths Across America" event. This year they wanted to bring the solemn beauty to every community in NH. The Blue Star and Gold Star Mothers of NH, along with the Ladies VFW, are working with Wreaths Across America to carry this tradition further and are seeking to have as many NH towns as possible participate in this year’s ceremony.

The Blue Star moms, along with many veterans’ groups will be working together with the people to hold their own ceremony at their town’s War Memorial on December 13th at 12:00pm– the same time and date as the National Program being held at Arlington National Cemetery.

To accomplish this will require the involvement of all the local VFW Posts, other posts, and individual citizens in the towns. If you would like to consider sponsoring your town for this honoring of our Veterans please contact the BSMNH Vice President at bluestarmothersofnh@yahoo.com.

This is the list, thus far, of NH communities participating in this year’s "Wreaths of Remembrance":

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Days of Infamy… No More Reruns, Please.

by Doug

Planes of second wave ready for takeoff on carrier Shokaku . The Wikipedia on Pearl Harbor: “On the morning of December 7, 1941, that Fleet’s planes bombed all the US military air bases on the island (the biggest was the US Army air base at Hickam Field), and the ships anchored at Pearl, including ‘Battleship … Read more

“For those who fight to protect it, freedom has a flavor that the protected will never know.”- Unknown

by Doug

veterans

I got this early this morning from our good friend Blue Star Mother Sue Peterson:

Good morning everyone – I started to write a note to you about Veterans Day and turned on the computer and found this from my friend – Debbie- a Gold Star Mom – so needless to say, this is what I would like to share with you today.  To all  the Gold Star Families  and all the Veterans that are reading this – thank you so much – we as a country owe all that have fought to protect and secure our liberty, justice, and freedoms.  I will never forget!

Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
 
A ‘war veteran’ (from Latin vetus, meaning "old")[1] is a person who has or is working in the armed forces.
 
Our Vets: Heroes…Defender’s of Freedom…Warriors…Protectors

They are our sons, our daughters, our husbands, our wives, our Mother’s and Father’s. Their your neighbor, your teacher, your police officer, your Doctor, your nurse, your Pastor. They are young and old, tall and short, and from every ethnic background. They live in cities and rural communities, in the North, the South, the East, the West.
 
Some served one tour and others a lifetime. Some during times of peace yet others in the bloodiest battles of Germany, France, Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq, Afghanistan, or other countries of turmoil. Many have sacrificed their limbs, their eyes, their future and many have sacrificed their lives. Yet they all seem to have a common thread of selfless valor that runs through their veins. They are true patriots who because they deeply love their country, their families and their freedoms that they courageously prepare for battle so if they are called to defend this nation that they so love they are ready. 
 
I visited Fort RoseCrans National Cemetery in San Diego yesterday and placed flowers and a flag on my sons grave. My Mighty Warrior, Marc Alan Lee, the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq 8-2-06. As I drove in the main gate they had 6 extra flags at the base of the huge flag pole. The wind was causing the flags to appear as though they were standing proudly at attention. As I sat on Marc’s grave and processed through the different emotions of pride, of love, of emptiness I glanced up the hill through the rows and rows of marble headstones to the flags that were majestically flapping in the extreme wind. So many have given so much to make sure that those colors still fly boldly representing "One Nation under God," and the freedoms that we have in America. Freedoms we enjoy because of all of our Vets whether Sailors, Marines, Soldiers or Airmen, our Vets who deeply gave.
 
I know the price of freedom and I understand the sacrifices that our troops have given. They have done that for me, for you, for this nation. They didn’t do that for rewards or medals or recognition, but today, please join me as our nation chooses to remember collectively and thank them and celebrate who they are and what they have selflessly given. I choose to do that every day because they are my HEROES and I am so grateful!
 
I am attaching Marc’s last letter home that we have called his "Glory" letter. You will be inspired and moved.  He challenges us to do random acts of kindness and I would ask you, in his memory, to honor our Vets today by picking up the check for their meal, coffee, groceries or whatever you can. Be generous! It’s a small token of our appreciation for all they have sacrificed. These are my heroes and they have given so much not expecting anything in return. Attend a parade, thank them, shake their hands, give them a hug from a grateful nation.
 
Don’t forget those who are deployed. Send a care package, e-mail a card, check on their families. Please remember the families of the fallen who gave it all and share your gratitude and love with them.
 
Thank you to everyone of you who has served or who is serving. You are my heroes and today I celebrate you and honor you for all you have sacrificed and given for me and my freedoms.
 
Celebrating Our Vets,
 
Debbie Lee

Marc’s last letter home:

 

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Honoring Cyrus the Great and his Charter

Cyrus the Great

Cyrus the Great

by Amil Imani

Once again October 29th is rolling around. And once again, free people all over the world celebrate the memory of Cyrus the Great, the author of mankind’s arguably greatest document, the first Charter of Human Rights. This benevolent king, ruling over a vast empire of diverse people, enshrined in the Cyrus Cylinder, nearly three millennia ago, the principles that define and protect human dignity.

Cyrus Cylinder

Cyrus Cylinder

It has been well over four years since the International Committee to Save the Archeological Sites of Pasargad initiated a massive celebration for the International Day of Cyrus the Great all over the world. For the past four years, especially, the courageous Iranian people have gathered by the tomb of Cyrus the Great, to commemorate this momentous international event, despite numerous intimidations and harassments by the agents of the Islamic Republic.

Cyrus the Great’s recognition of human rights, irrespective of any and all considerations, was instrumental in advancing the social and cultural precepts of the diverse people throughout the vast expanse of his empire. Although ethnically Persian, the benevolent king considered himself a trustee of the diverse nationalities of his kingdom. Parochialism and ethnocentrism were alien to this visionary monarch. 

In the same way that Cyrus the Great considered all people members of the same human family, the human family of today holds the great trailblazer of human rights as one of its own. The vast plateau that is the presently encompasses Iran has been inhabited by the most diverse people of any region of the planet. Yet, in adherence to the lofty principles of Cyrus, these people found unity in diversity. They remained loyal to their own unique heritage and successfully linked it to a larger loyalty. The present Iran is a living testimony to this remarkable togetherness where ethnic Persians, Turkic, Kurds, Lurs, Turkmen, Baluchis, Arabs, and others live as one people.

Cyrus’ Charter of Human Rights is the first written document which stipulates that all humans have universal inalienable rights, without regard to any and all demographic considerations such as ethnicity, nationality and religion.

 

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Dragon Soup Blog: Get yourself connected

Major Kirk

Major Kirk Luedeke

[Ed. note: It’s been a while, but we are pleased to welcome our milblogger, Major Kirk, back to the pages of GraniteGrok. See his prior dispatches from Iraq here…]

I just reached a small personal milestone- my 180th day home since the 4th Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division- Task Force Dragon- redeployed to Fort Riley from the Rashid District in Southern Baghdad. Life has been great for me, but hit me the other day that I really didn’t have a lot of visibility on what’s been going on in the old Iraqi neighborhoods since we departed in April.

It took a recent 60 Minutes segment by Lesley Stahl on CBS about the March and April battle for Sadr City- one that occurred out of our sector, but happened while we were still in Baghdad and in the process of handing over responsibility for Rashid to our counterparts- the 1st “Raider” Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division. The story is extremely well done and if you haven’t seen it, take a look (I’ve posted the link below).

The segment brought back a lot of memories for me. We saw some spillover in attacks directed at us by renegade Shia special groups criminals as a result of the fighting to our east across the Tigris. In fact, on the very night he arrived by Chinook helicopter my public affairs counterpart was standing next to my desk when a 107mm rocket screamed over the FOB Falcon wall and landed close to our brigade headquarters building. It exploded, violently spraying the structure with lethal shrapnel, shattering windows and shaking the foundation. Nobody was killed that night and there were only a few minor injuries, but the attack served as a wakeup call for all of us- we were short but our tour wasn’t over.

“Wasted away again in Mortaritaville,” I later deadpanned to my fellow PAO Dave (no, I wasn’t calm and collected enough to do it in the heat of the moment), and unfortunately for us, there would be other attacks to come at Falcon. A few days later, we would even get trapped in the Green Zone for several hours, compliments of some of the mortar and rocket attacks from Sadr City which forced the U.S. to take the action depicted on 60 Minutes.

When we left Iraq in late April, the battle had already started to move away from our collective consciousness, so seeing that story some six months later reminded me about how disconnected I’ve become from the events and life that I spent 430 days experiencing in 2007-08.

Being there, I was immersed in a never-ending news cycle. Even if my focus was on monitoring the various events and stories coming out of our area or Iraq/Afghanistan, I had a steady pulse on news from around the world as well. Never in my life have I felt more connected than I did in my job while deployed to Iraq.

So, fast forward to October 2008;

 

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Friday September 19th is POW/MIA Recognition Day

by Doug

"The Rock" in Meredith, NH’s Hesky Park Our friend Bob Jones of the Northeast POW/MIA Network sends the following heads up regarding a special event to take place tomorrow in Meredith, NH recognizing the Nation’s POW/MIAs: September 19th is national POW/MIA recognition day. The “NH Original POW/MIA Memorial” in Meredith’s Hesky Park “The Rock” has been … Read more

NEW HAMPSHIRE VETERANS HOME HOSTS POW/MIA VIGIL

by Doug

TILTON, NH – The annual American Legion “Spirit of the Eagle” POW/MIA Vigil will be held in the American Legion Park at the New Hampshire Veterans Home (NHVH) in Tilton from Saturday, September 6 to Sunday, September 7, 2008. The opening ceremony will begin at 11:00 AM on Saturday and the closing ceremony will take … Read more

Donations Needed to Finish the Job…

by Doug

Reflection Fountain

 

From our friend Karen Thurston:

The New Hampshire Blue Stars have recently joined with New Hampshire Veteran’s groups and many other donors to complete the final steps in erecting a Reflection Fountain on the Memorial Walkway at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.  The Reflection Fountain will be dedicated by the generosity of many donors to the NH Blue Star, NH Gold Star and POW/MIA Families. 

The Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen is the final resting place for many Veterans and conveys peace through its natural beauty and is the source of pride to all the Veteran’s families.  Many ceremonies throughout the year are held here to acknowledge all Veterans, even those not interred here.  All these veterans, by their service, gave the title of "Blue Star Families" to their loved ones.  It is so fitting that the bonds that military service creates will be reflected in this fountain. 

The area with the fountain will provide a place for all families, Blue, Gold and POW/MIA, to sit and reflect on the great sacrifice that has been made by our Veterans. You may ask, "Am I part of this family?" ~ Yes, if you have had someone in your family who has served or is currently serving in any branch of our military.

The Reflection Fountain belongs to all of us ~ a place where spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts and uncles, and fellow veterans will find a source of comfort.
 
The funding for the first phase of the fountain is complete.  The final phase of funding will cover the site preparation for the fountain, the addition of granite benches, granite pavers, a plaque for dedication of the Fountain to New Hampshire Blue Star, Gold Star and POW/MIA Families. Any additional monies will be held for the maintenance of this fountain, as well as offsetting an outstanding balance on the Prisoner of War Monument that is located on the Memorial Walkway. 

 

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Guest Post: “My Marc left his mark on every life that he met…”

by Doug

Marc Lee

Marc Alan Lee
First Navy SEAL killed in Iraq 8-2-06

Are You Leaving Your Mark?

by Debbie Lee

Aug 2, 2006 is a day that changed my life forever. Many of you have those days that you remember that were life changing. For most of us we remember our graduations, the day we married the love of our life, and the birth of our children. These events will always bring a smile to our face and joy to our hearts. Our lives were greatly impacted and the overall impact has been a blessing. Not that our jobs don’t bring frustrations and headaches at times, our spouses at times cause us to question our sanity, and our teenage children sometimes cause us to yearn for the empty nest, but overall we reflect and remember the good times especially on the birthdays or anniversaries.
 
The anniversary that I remember today isn’t one that your first response is that of blessings and laughter, trust me I’ve already shed many tears today. Today I remember 2 years ago when I recieved a visit from a Navy Chaplain bringing me the most dreadful news I have ever recieved. When you have children serving in the military you know that a visit from a Chaplain only means one thing, death. The loss of child’s life according to the experts is the hardest death to deal with. I have lost a Father, a husband, and a son and I will agree dealing with the death of my son has been the hardest by far.
 
I have spent the morning looking back at pictures from Marc’s arrival home in his flag draped coffin, his funeral at Fort Rose Crans, his memorial service in Hood River, his pictures in Iraq, and his pictures growing up. While I mourn those two years without his smiling face, his bear hugs, his contagious life and playful antics, I am thankful and remember the 28 years that his life engraved on my heart and left his mark. How many of us can say we left our mark on this world? My Marc left his mark on every life that he met. :O)
 
As I looked through the pictures this morning I was reminded of all of the people who have touched my life during the past 2 years since Marc’s death. God has been soooooooooooooo faithful to me and used so many of you to touch my life in such a special way. I am so grateful for everyone of you whether your impact has been great or small. Whether you are the President, a General or a new born child. I’m not even going to try to list all of you or how you have impacted my life as this letter would go on forever. Some of you have been their daily and others may have been a one time encounter. Many of you have prayed faithfully! I know that the way you have touched my life has helped me get through another day, week, month or year. I am so very thankful!
 
As we reflect on Marc today lets remember what he gave. Marc gave his laughter, his love, his smile, his faith, his determination, his love for this country, his humor, his love of life, his support, and Marc gave his life.
 
I know most of you have probably read Marc’s last letter home, but I feel it is fitting to include it again today as we reflect on the two year anniversary of his death. There are also several memorial videos on you tube just type in Marc Alan Lee. If any of you have special memories of Marc I would love it if you would email those to me so that I can remember them forever.
 
We are a blessed nation to have men and women just like Marc who are willing to give it all for you, for me, for this nation. Those are the heroes of our nation that need to be honored. As I remember Marc today I also remember all of those who have served in our military, and those who gave it all. God Bless those mighty warriors, my heroes!
 
Counting my blessings,
Debbie Lee
 
PS:Thank you Marc for giving it all! Your are home son, and I will see you when I get there!
 
Marc’s last letter home:

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Mark your calendar: POW/MIA Freedon Ride Thursday

by Doug

“Summer’s here and the time is right for dancing in the streets. There’ll be swinging swaying laughing, playing…” 

Freedom Rally 07

Freedom Rally ’07

In addition, there will be some serious business going on as well. Because, as we set about enjoying summer, we can’t forget that the only reason we’re able to do so is due to the efforts and sacrifices on the part of the American soldier and his/her family. Be they past or present, whether at sea, land, or in the air, at the end of it all, it is those who serve that first attained, and now protect and defend, the freedoms we take for granted. Republican or Democrat, there is no denying that quite often during our Nation’s history we were threatened and, whether everyone agreed to the true nature of the threat and the appropriate response or not, there was the American soldier, fulfilling the assigned duty.

Whether the conscripts of days past, or the volunteers of today, we should all be thankful for their service, and, most important of all, must never forget those who did not return. To do otherwise is to dishonor their ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the rest of us. Just imagine… in a way, they died so that we might live. Who else, save for occasional random heroic acts of individuals in some situation and, of course, Christ Himself, has done this?

It is for these men and women that we must take time from swinging, swaying, and laughing. Oh, we should be in the streets, but not dancing. Oh no—it’s time to take to the streets with a clear purpose and cause: remembering those who haven’t come home. And I’m not just talking about those who died… I’m also talking about those who literally have not yet come home—those that are both prisoners of war, and missing in action. While death is hard enough, just imagine being a family member of a soldier who is lost altogether—not knowing whether their loved one is indeed passed on, or maybe out there, somewhere… alive.

It is for these people, both soldier and family, that we take to the streets this summer. For those held prisoner, or missing: known by most people as America’s POW/MIAs.

Freedom Rally 07

This year marks the 20th anniversary of America’s longest and oldest continuous weekly POW/MIA vigil, held every Thursday night at New Hampshire’s official memorial at Meredith’s Hesky Park. Additionally, this summer marks the 15th anniversary of the Freedom Ride. Started in 1994 by a local motorcycle club, the ride is held in conjunction with the POW/MIA Vigil as a way of bringing both attention and participation to the issue.  It was modeled after “Rolling Thunder” which takes place every Memorial Day in Washington D.C.

 

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The Moving Wall

by Doug

A note, bronze horse, and a single rose left byThe Wall in DC (photo by Doug) If you live in New Hampshire, and are looking for some way to properly "celebrate" Memorial Day Weekend, you should consider taking a trip to view The Moving Wall currently residing in  Constitution Park, Route 25 East, West Ossipee. Hosted … Read more

Remembering SSGT Matt Maupin

by Doug

SSGT Matt Maupin We would be remiss if we didn’t take a moment to join with the thousands who recalled the life of Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin, former Iraq war POW/MIA, over the past weekend. A little over a year ago, we posted a piece marking the third anniversary of Matt’s capture featuring a note from … Read more

Sgt. Matt Maupin: The ultimate sacrifice.

by Doug

Thanks to our friend Blue Star Mother Sue Peterson, who wore his POW/MIA bracelet, the story of missing soldier Matt Maupin was known to us. Last April 9th, we noted the third year of his capture with a short letter written by Sue asking readers to remember Matt and his parents in their anxious time of waiting. Sadly, … Read more

“Fearmongering” and “Scare Tactics” [Updated]

by Doug
.9-11..Jumping Man- September 11, 2001.the future? (?)
Paul Hodes.September 11.Carol Shea Porter
                Paul Hodes                               Only a dream, apparently…        Carol Shea Porter
.
Sunday’s Union Leader had a story that, once again, clearly demonstrates why it is imperative, given the dangerous world in which we live, New Hampshire must send its two current Congressmen packing come November. Reacting to President Bush’s warning this week about the danger of not renewing the intelligence bill providing for electronic surveillance of potential threats, the antiwar peacenik turned Congresswoman brushed it off as if it was of little importance…

DERRY – U.S. Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter accused President Bush of fear-mongering yesterday, insisting the nation is not more vulnerable to a terror attack without the electronic surveillance legislation he wants in place.

"This really is a big scare tactic. Nothing terrible is going to happen" New Hampshire’s 1st District representative said at a town hall meeting in Derry’s Municipal Center.

Really? How does Ms. Shea Porter know this? Does she believe that the lack of further attacks following September 11th, 2001 is simply because our enemies have somehow seen the light? Let’s remember Osama bin Laden’s words from his 1996 "Declaration of Jihad against the United States" in which he takes note of how he and his followers will engage the US:

 

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