No one should look forward to terrorism

Dr. Bill Smith, ARRA Editor: The title of this post was used yesterday by Steve Benen, a liberal freelance writer, researcher, political consultant and former worked as an intern in the Clinton administration at the White House office:

The Carpetbagger Report: About a month ago, Dennis Milligan, the chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party, sounded pretty excited about the prospect of domestic terrorism. "At the end of the day, I believe fully the president is doing the right thing, and I think all we need is some attacks on American soil like we had on [Sept. 11, 2001], and the naysayers will come around very quickly to appreciate not only the commitment for President Bush, but the sacrifice that has been made by men and women to protect this country," Milligan said. Yesterday, Rick Santorum echoed a similar sentiment on Hugh Hewitt's radio show. . . . I don't believe that the right genuinely looks forward to domestic terrorism. That’s crazy. I do believe, however, that conservatives, based on comments from Santorum, Milligan, and others, think Americans are misguided and confused about the threats facing the U.S. Death and destruction, they believe, will wake us up and get us back on track behind the president's vision of the world. It.s a dark and disturbing approach that I'll never be able to relate to. [Source]

Benen's post provides insight into the damage that a person can do with one inappropriate comment especially when a statement is unsubstantiated or appears to others as wishfully vengeful. Maybe some people find it easier to talk in sound bites rather than using reasoned thinking or even grasping the art of simply giving "no comments" on some issues asked by the press. It is disappointing that this one "sound bite' by our new Arkansas Republican Party chairman continues to reverberate around the Internet and that he is now being linked with others just because he wished to appear supportive of the President on an issue.

Yes, we may be attacked in the United States. Yes, Islamic fascist probably do pose a serious threat Americans in the U.S. Thankfully, the administration, state agencies, law enforcement and an alert public have prevented another such attack to date. Yes we can reasonably agree that we live in a period of time, when we may experience more attacks by terrorists or even by deranged Americans. But this agreement in no way suggests that anyone should ever say what "we need is some attacks ... and the naysayers will come around very quickly to appreciate . . . the commitment for President Bush, . . ." The opposite is most likely true. If we experience such attacks, our President will probably be blamed, and citizens will be asking the government, "Why weren't you there to protect us?"

As a Republican, I invite Chairman Milligan to both express his regret over this statement and to recant these unfortunate words. The public does not need to hear, "I meant to say" or "if you heard me wrong" or "if you did not understand what I was trying to say." Follow President Reagan's example. Admit the error and express your sincere regret. We need a Chairman that leads by example and who can then share a vision for the Republicans Party of Arkansas that will meet critical issues in Arkansas. This blog will gladly publish a press release by RPA Chairman Milligan on this subject!

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