WASHINGTON (CP) - High-profile U.S. conservative Newt Gingrich has agreed to retract his statement that terrorists involved in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks entered the United States from Canada. The move came Wednesday after Canada's Ambassador Frank McKenna fired off a letter of complaint.
Gingrich, former Republican speaker in the U.S. House of Representatives and a potential presidential candidate in 2008, "deeply regrets the error," said spokesman Rick Tyler.
"That's become accepted conventional wisdom here. But he'll help to correct the record."
"He wishes he had not repeated that error and had checked it out," Tyler said from Lincoln, Va.
"We're in complete and utter total sympathy with the Canadian ambassador and all Canadians, for that matter."
Gingrich, appearing Tuesday on a Fox News Channel political show, said: "Far more of the 9-11 terrorists came across from Canada than from Mexico."
McKenna, who became Canada's top envoy in the United States last month, wrote Gingrich's comments "perpetuate an urban legend that can take on a life of its own, especially when repeated by people whose opinions are deeply respected in the United States."
"Canadians and Americans are great friends. And great friends can tell it like it is."
"In the interest of that friendship and to set the record straight I ask that you retract your statement."
McKenna noted former U.S. attorney general John Ashcroft is on the record saying: "None of the terrorists from the Sept. 11 carnage came to the United States through Canada."
A 9-11 commission report has also detailed how the terrorists entered with U.S. visas and none came through Canada.
The faulty perception began shortly after the attacks, when U.S. news reports wrongly said some of the hijackers crossed the border.
The ambassador also wrote a letter to the New York Times newspaper last month after an editorial alleged terrorists routinely cross the enter the United States from Canada.
He noted Canada has spent over $9 billion Cdn on security since the attacks, especially on implementing the so-called smart border plan.
Gingrich plans to personally reply to McKenna, said Tyler, and will do what he can to debunk the claim.
"He's a public figure and I'm sure he'll be asked about it. He'll correct the record whenever he's asked."
This is my "rant" blog, my on line diary is here at www.yusefsjournal.blogspot.com. Here are the things I cannot change....but I bitch about them anyway. Religion, politics...the stuff you talk about in University taverns.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Monday, April 18, 2005
Oil for Food....the Canadian Connection
Man oh man......Why does Maurice Strong's name keep coming up? Now we discover he is the number two man in Kofi Annan's son's corrup Oil for Food program.
I am just too depressed....check it out for yourself....http://www.primetimecrime.com/Articles/Oil%20for%20Food.htm
I am just too depressed....check it out for yourself....http://www.primetimecrime.com/Articles/Oil%20for%20Food.htm
Saturday, April 16, 2005
On Strategy....William Lind
It is useful to think that there are some people still thinking about strategy, tactics and low level philosophy. I have always liked William Lind....here is his classic statements on strategy. In this article, he warns of "maximalist" strategy..that is to say..."all or nothing" strategy. Bill Lind uses America's War in Iraq to illustrate some of his points.
http://www.d-n-i.net/lind/lind_4_15_05.htm
I like his last line....An administration that has made loyalty to the White House’s maximalist objectives its most important test is not likely to encourage consideration of alternative strategies. When it becomes clear that we will not attain those maximalist objectives, there could be a sudden, desperate quest for some way out that leaves a few of our tail feathers intact. At that point, the thoughtful work of a small group of Marines might find an audience.
http://www.d-n-i.net/lind/lind_4_15_05.htm
I like his last line....An administration that has made loyalty to the White House’s maximalist objectives its most important test is not likely to encourage consideration of alternative strategies. When it becomes clear that we will not attain those maximalist objectives, there could be a sudden, desperate quest for some way out that leaves a few of our tail feathers intact. At that point, the thoughtful work of a small group of Marines might find an audience.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Bike week in Metcalfe....
What a great day for motor bike racin'!
So instead of blogging here...I think I'll get the wind in my hair, the mosqitoes in my teeth, and burn off all the old gas in the tank.
So instead of blogging here...I think I'll get the wind in my hair, the mosqitoes in my teeth, and burn off all the old gas in the tank.
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