Positions and Views of Kelly Ayotte
on Security & Terrorism
| Security & Terrorism |
Positions and Views |
| Homeland Security, a General Statement |
President Obama recently stated that we are at war with Al Qaeda, and I agree with him. Unfortunately, we part ways after that, as his policies do not match his rhetoric.
There are two ways that we can deal with Al Qaeda and its terror affiliates. We can acknowledge that a foreign enemy has declared war on us and that we must engage them as enemy combatants, or we can ignore everything we have learned since the 9/11 attacks and treat terrorism as a law enforcement issue and terrorists as mere criminals. Unfortunately, President Obama and the Democrats have opted for the latter, and on this issue I strenuously and respectfully disagree with them.
Even worse, the administration continues to send mixed messages. They favor missile strikes against those in Yemen who planned the attack, and a defense lawyer for the terrorist who actually carried it out. Terrorists captured in Iraq and Afghanistan are interrogated, while those who are caught trying to murder ordinary citizens are read Miranda. And they favor military commissions for some, like those who carried out the U.S. Cole attack, and civilian trials for others.
I strongly believe we need to formulate a cohesive policy that recognizes that we are at war with a foreign enemy and end once and for all the pre-9/11 approach that left us vulnerable on that horrible day nine years ago. This is why I strongly support the use of drone strikes in Yemen and the tribal areas of Pakistan, why I oppose a civilian trial for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in New York City, and why I am dead set against bringing Guantanamo detainees to U.S. soil.
Source: www.ayotteforsenate.com/content (12/30/2010) |
| War on Terror, a General Statement |
President Obama recently stated that we are at war with Al Qaeda, and I agree with him. Unfortunately, we part ways after that, as his policies do not match his rhetoric.
There are two ways that we can deal with Al Qaeda and its terror affiliates. We can acknowledge that a foreign enemy has declared war on us and that we must engage them as enemy combatants, or we can ignore everything we have learned since the 9/11 attacks and treat terrorism as a law enforcement issue and terrorists as mere criminals. Unfortunately, President Obama and the Democrats have opted for the latter, and on this issue I strenuously and respectfully disagree with them.
Even worse, the administration continues to send mixed messages. They favor missile strikes against those in Yemen who planned the attack, and a defense lawyer for the terrorist who actually carried it out. Terrorists captured in Iraq and Afghanistan are interrogated, while those who are caught trying to murder ordinary citizens are read Miranda. And they favor military commissions for some, like those who carried out the U.S. Cole attack, and civilian trials for others.
I strongly believe we need to formulate a cohesive policy that recognizes that we are at war with a foreign enemy and end once and for all the pre-9/11 approach that left us vulnerable on that horrible day nine years ago. This is why I strongly support the use of drone strikes in Yemen and the tribal areas of Pakistan, why I oppose a civilian trial for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in New York City, and why I am dead set against bringing Guantanamo detainees to U.S. soil.
Source: www.ayotteforsenate.com/content (12/30/2010) |
| War on Terrorism Policies |
President Obama recently stated that we are at war with Al Qaeda, and I agree with him. Unfortunately, we part ways after that, as his policies do not match his rhetoric.
There are two ways that we can deal with Al Qaeda and its terror affiliates. We can acknowledge that a foreign enemy has declared war on us and that we must engage them as enemy combatants, or we can ignore everything we have learned since the 9/11 attacks and treat terrorism as a law enforcement issue and terrorists as mere criminals. Unfortunately, President Obama and the Democrats have opted for the latter, and on this issue I strenuously and respectfully disagree with them.
Even worse, the administration continues to send mixed messages. They favor missile strikes against those in Yemen who planned the attack, and a defense lawyer for the terrorist who actually carried it out. Terrorists captured in Iraq and Afghanistan are interrogated, while those who are caught trying to murder ordinary citizens are read Miranda. And they favor military commissions for some, like those who carried out the U.S. Cole attack, and civilian trials for others.
I strongly believe we need to formulate a cohesive policy that recognizes that we are at war with a foreign enemy and end once and for all the pre-9/11 approach that left us vulnerable on that horrible day nine years ago. This is why I strongly support the use of drone strikes in Yemen and the tribal areas of Pakistan, why I oppose a civilian trial for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in New York City, and why I am dead set against bringing Guantanamo detainees to U.S. soil.
Source: www.ayotteforsenate.com/content (12/30/2010) |
| Guantanamo Bay Prison (GITMO) |
The latest example of their attitude toward this national security threat involves their handling of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist who nearly destroyed an airliner and killed hundreds of Americans on Christmas Day. The Nigerian bomber had been trained in terrorist camps in Yemen and received other assistance from the terror organization. He has information regarding its networks, contacts, finances, methods, possibly even details about future attempts. Indeed, when he was first arrested, he proudly boasted that there twenty other bombers being prepared for similar attacks.
If President Obama truly believed that we were at war, Abdulmutallab would be treated as an enemy combatant, not an ordinary criminal. Under existing legislation, which has been found to be constitutional by our Supreme Court, the Nigerian terrorist could have been held and questioned in military custody, and tried before a military commission. By failing to do so, the Administration has limited our ability to protect the nation, roll up terrorist networks, degrade their offensive capability, prevent future attacks, and save American lives.
I oppose a civilian trial for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in New York City and am dead set against bringing Guantanamo detainees to U.S. soil.
Twenty-two U.S. senators, including ranking members of the Intelligence, Judiciary, and Armed Services Committees, recently signed a letter objecting to President Obama's decision to try Abdulmutallab in a civilian court. If I were currently serving in the U.S. Senate, I would have signed on to that letter. Paul Hodes has remained silent. I call on him to tell the voters where he stands on this vital issue. The people of New Hampshire have a right to know what his priority is, to get the terrorists who armed the Underwear Bomber before they harm us, or to get the Underwear Bomber a defense lawyer.
Source: www.ayotteforsenate.com/content (12/30/2010) |
| Trials of Terrorist and Combantant Detainees |
The latest example of their attitude toward this national security threat involves their handling of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist who nearly destroyed an airliner and killed hundreds of Americans on Christmas Day. The Nigerian bomber had been trained in terrorist camps in Yemen and received other assistance from the terror organization. He has information regarding its networks, contacts, finances, methods, possibly even details about future attempts. Indeed, when he was first arrested, he proudly boasted that there twenty other bombers being prepared for similar attacks.
If President Obama truly believed that we were at war, Abdulmutallab would be treated as an enemy combatant, not an ordinary criminal. Under existing legislation, which has been found to be constitutional by our Supreme Court, the Nigerian terrorist could have been held and questioned in military custody, and tried before a military commission. By failing to do so, the Administration has limited our ability to protect the nation, roll up terrorist networks, degrade their offensive capability, prevent future attacks, and save American lives.
I oppose a civilian trial for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in New York City and am dead set against bringing Guantanamo detainees to U.S. soil.
Twenty-two U.S. senators, including ranking members of the Intelligence, Judiciary, and Armed Services Committees, recently signed a letter objecting to President Obama's decision to try Abdulmutallab in a civilian court. If I were currently serving in the U.S. Senate, I would have signed on to that letter. Paul Hodes has remained silent. I call on him to tell the voters where he stands on this vital issue. The people of New Hampshire have a right to know what his priority is, to get the terrorists who armed the Underwear Bomber before they harm us, or to get the Underwear Bomber a defense lawyer.
Source: www.ayotteforsenate.com/content (12/30/2010) |
| Enemy Combatants |
The latest example of their attitude toward this national security threat involves their handling of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist who nearly destroyed an airliner and killed hundreds of Americans on Christmas Day. The Nigerian bomber had been trained in terrorist camps in Yemen and received other assistance from the terror organization. He has information regarding its networks, contacts, finances, methods, possibly even details about future attempts. Indeed, when he was first arrested, he proudly boasted that there twenty other bombers being prepared for similar attacks.
If President Obama truly believed that we were at war, Abdulmutallab would be treated as an enemy combatant, not an ordinary criminal. Under existing legislation, which has been found to be constitutional by our Supreme Court, the Nigerian terrorist could have been held and questioned in military custody, and tried before a military commission. By failing to do so, the Administration has limited our ability to protect the nation, roll up terrorist networks, degrade their offensive capability, prevent future attacks, and save American lives.
I oppose a civilian trial for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in New York City and am dead set against bringing Guantanamo detainees to U.S. soil.
Twenty-two U.S. senators, including ranking members of the Intelligence, Judiciary, and Armed Services Committees, recently signed a letter objecting to President Obama's decision to try Abdulmutallab in a civilian court. If I were currently serving in the U.S. Senate, I would have signed on to that letter. Paul Hodes has remained silent. I call on him to tell the voters where he stands on this vital issue. The people of New Hampshire have a right to know what his priority is, to get the terrorists who armed the Underwear Bomber before they harm us, or to get the Underwear Bomber a defense lawyer.
Source: www.ayotteforsenate.com/content (12/30/2010) |
| These are available issue topics for which there were no responses. |
| Iraq War's Impact on National Security |
| Al-Qaeda |
| USA Patriot Act |
| Making Our Homeland More Secure |
| National Security Agency (NSA) Examinining Domestic Phone Records |
| Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission |
| Radical Fundamentalism |
| Weapons of Mass Destruction |
| Bioterrorism |
| Department of Homeland Security (DHS) |
| National Guard in the Department of Homeland Security vs. Defense |
| Intelligence |
| Domestic Intelligence Agencies |
| NSA Surveillance of Citizens |
| Color-Coded Warning System |
| Local First Responders |
| Air Security |
| Port Security |
| Rail Security |
| Hazardous Materials Security |
| Cybersecurity |
| Spent Nuclear Fuel |
| Drinking Water Security |
| Evacuation Preparedness |
| National Intelligence Estimate Assessment |
| Terrorist Prisoner Rights Under Geneva Conventions |
| Torture of Terrorists |
| Waterboarding |
| Habeas Corpus and Legal Rights for Combatant Detainees |