As President Obama has proclaimed, September 11th is a moment to pray, remember the lives lost, and renew the shared purpose and values that unite us as Americans.
September 11 of all days is not a day for politics or division — it’s a day for remembrance and resolve. On 9/11, we remember the Americans who lost their lives and honor those who put themselves on the line to keep us safe — our troops, as well as our firefighters, paramedics, and police.
Americans rushed to rescue the victims at Ground Zero, rallied around the 9/11 families, and rebuilt. We brought bin Laden to justice, sending a clear message to any who would dare to attack us.
As we come together to pay tribute to these American heroes, we affirm what makes our country exceptional and enduring — the American people’s unity and resolve. America is stronger when we stick together and move forward united. While campaigns can get heated, we need leaders who bring us together when it’s time to govern.
The remembrance of September 11th and the most recent terrorist attack in Libya that caused the murder of our Libyan ambassadors will predictably put those that would foment hate here in America into overdrive. As such you must be ready to address their fallacies and misinformation.
In that light here are a few potential attacks along with facts to be cognizant of.
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ATTACKS AND RESPONSES
ATTACK: "Muslims are sympathetic to radical Islam."
RESPONSE:
- Actually, American Muslim leaders are among the most strongly outspoken against violent extremism.
- Dozens of terrorist attacks have been stopped in the U.S. since 9/11 because American Muslims spoke up when they saw suspicious behavior — just like any American would. And it was an American Muslim street vendor who raised the alarm and helped stop the Times Square bomber.
- We should be targeting terrorists based on evidence, not singling out an entire group based on their religion. That’s more effective at keeping us safe than putting the American Muslim community under surveillance.
- American Muslims are our neighbors, doctors, firefighters, and teachers — and they include members of our military who’ve died defending our freedom. We shouldn’t allow politicians to use religion to drive a wedge between us.
ATTACK: "President Obama began his presidency apologizing for America."
RESPONSE:
- This so-called apology tour never happened. Here’s what did happen: President Obama made the call that brought bin Laden to justice, ended the war in Iraq, refocused our intelligence and defense capacity on current threats, and restored America’s standing in the world.
- In fact, the President says he’s enormously proud of our country and its role and history in the world — he knows that Americans are exceptional, not because we say we are, but because we do exceptional things.
- It’s Mitt Romney who should quit saying America is in decline and going on overseas tours where he insults our nation’s closest allies.
ATTACK: "President Obama is trying to decimate the military budget."
RESPONSE:
- Congressman Ryan and the other Washington Republicans have some nerve criticizing the President for the same defense spending cuts they threatened default to get and voted for. Now they’re claiming that the amount we were spending at the height of the Iraq war is too low today.
- America has the world’s biggest economy and the most advanced and powerful military. No other country — including China — comes close. Reining in the Pentagon budget won’t change that.
- America’s greatness and power around the world comes from our economic strength, not just our military. That’s why it’s in our strategic interests to build a leaner, more agile force designed to combat 21st century threats.
The world has changed, and so have the tools we need. Let’s remember it was the whole-of-government counterterrorism approach — combining military, diplomatic, intelligence, law enforcement, financial, legal and civilian tools — that brought hundreds of terrorists to justice.
