For the Media

Today, John McCain and Barack Obama shared a "We are the World" moment at Ground Zero to remember the 7th anniversary of 9/11. What they didn't do was say how they intend to reform US intelligence to prevent the next attack.

In the 2004 presidential election, it was all intelligence reform, all the time. In July, the 9/11 Commission final report became an instant best-seller and CIA Director George Tenet resigned. In August, Congress took the brave and unusual step of actually holding hearings during (gasp!) the summer recess. And in the fall, the 9/11 families and 9/11 Commission members received more press coverage than the Iraq War. Instead of arguing about lipstick and pigs or hockey mom hooey, John Kerry and George Bush were trying to outdo each other on just how much they were going to reform U.S. intelligence agencies.

I'd be the first to say that "reform" hasn't worked out so well. Just last week, the 9/11 Commission co-chairs gave the Bush administration a "C" grade and declared that the threat of WMD terrorist attack remains deadly real. But at least the presidential candidates in 2004 were trying. And the election got the slow, grinding, gears of Washington moving, however little, however late.

This year we get rose laying and moments of silence. But silence is the last thing Americans need on 9/11. What we need is action.

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Comments

Nina says:

well this is quite obvious however i am still expecting some other things http://cable-glossary.blogspot.com/ http://racks-ideas.blogspot.com/

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nisa says:

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antique says:

a year has passed! http://antiquedresserblog.com

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Repoman says:

Never forget that dark day. It was, indeed, a call for action. http://www.repossessedcarstore.com

last minute says:

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Jordan says:

Well, it seemed like it affected the election a bit, but less than I expected - Jordan (http://www.freeonlinedatingsites.me/)

steve says:

There doesn't seem to be too many steps forward in the fight against terrorism or ending the war, it just seems to be an ongoing campaign, that's not likely to end any time soon unfortunately. http://www.propertyaddict.com

Jim says:

It's a while since the election and I'm still not clear on this strategy so it's a good question you raise. <a href="http://www.decorstone.com.au">natural stone</a>

Timothy says:

Silence is the last thing we need. I like that. <a href="http://powerwheeler.com">Power Wheeler</a>

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