U.S. Needs Patriot Act to Avert Attack, Kerik Says
April 3, 2009 by national
Filed under Homeland Security News
Highly decorated former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik tells Newsmax that failure to renew the Patriot Act would place Americans in “serious jeopardy” and could lead to a “catastrophic attack” in the U.S.
Kerik, who was President George W. Bush’s nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security before he withdrew his name from consideration, also said the detainees at Guantanamo Bay who could be released into the U.S. remain determined to “create the demise” of America.
Newsmax TV’s Ashley Martella noted that FBI Director Robert Mueller has urged Democrats to renew the Patriot Act, which is set to expire in December, and asked how important the intelligence-gathering measure has been in keeping the U.S. safe since 9/11.
“I think it’s one of the most important tools we have in combating terrorism,” said Kerik, who was police commissioner during the 9/11 attacks.
“Director Mueller’s request is something that should be seriously considered by Congress. At the end of the day, being as responsible as they must be, I don’t think they’re going to have a choice but to renew the provisions and ensure the safety and security of this country. Without those provisions, I think we’re seriously in jeopardy.
“You have to look at what happened on 9/11, why it happened, how it happened, the intelligence that slipped through the cracks. The criticism that came out of the 9/11 Commission hearings [was] about the lack of coordination, cooperation and intelligence gathering between our own agencies. We didn’t even have the ability for the FBI and the CIA to communicate.
“So we now have the ability, from a state and municipal level to a federal level to an international level, for all that intelligence to be gathered, analyzed, and disseminated to the people that need it to protect us.
“But if we lose these provisions, those elements and others will be lost, and I think the country will be in serious jeopardy…
“If we fail, you could see a catastrophic attack in this country or on our soft targets abroad, and we can’t afford that again, particularly right now with the economy as it is today.”
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=7118fd5c-82fd-4b8d-bfc5-224ff7230104)
I firmly believe that Bernie Kerik is absolutely correct. In my opinion he should be our Homeland Security Chief. Yes, I remember why he was withdrawn as a contender, and why, but let me tell you, he is more qualified to have that job than anyone else on the scene today. I don’t care about the things that kept him from having that position, I only care about our country being SAFE from the enemies we have today. Without safety and security, nothing else will matter because we will be dead. Mr. Kerik knows what he is talking about and I sincerely hope that congress keeps the Patriot Act as an ongoing sign that they (congress) really does care about the security of our great nation. In regards to what Obama said in Europe yesterday, this is a GREAT Nation….not an “arrogant one” which is why the rest of the world wants what we have, otherwise why would they all have their hand out to us, and want to enter our country to live here. I am ashamed to have a president who considers us “arrogant.” I believe he is the one who is arrogant. If he continues in this vein, he will accomplish his goal to destroy us from within. Pay attention AMERICA…Obama is sucking this country dry….of it’s pride, and it’s Patriotism. God Bless America
But isnt that what Obama wants to push his Socialist agenda ???