Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: Ashley Studley Presidential hopeful John Edwards speaks to students and faculty at Pace Plaza

With the recent anniversary of 9/11, the thought of terrorist attacks is bound to resurface in the minds of many, if not all, Americans. With that in mind, Senator John Edwards (D-North Carolina) delivered a speech to the Pace Community centered on terrorism, the hunt for Osama bin Laden, and the war in Iraq.

Introduced by a widow who lost her husband on 9/11, the Presidential hopeful spoke Fri. Sept 7 at Pace Plaza.

He immediately began by discussing the terrorist attacks, noting all of those who had lost their lives in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. From there, Edwards discussed his dis-taste for the actions of the Bush administration from that point on. "He used the attacks to justify a preconceived war against a nation he now admits had no ties to Al Queda." He stated. "George Bush literally gave us his father's war-but without his father's allies or his father's sense of decency."

Edwards then made a promise which made the whole room roar with applause. "My position is clear. I can make you this solemn promise: as President, I will never rest until we have hunted bin Laden down and served him justice."

Edwards spoke at length about the new threats that face America, stressing the importance of using new solutions. "We need a counterterrorism policy that will actually counter terrorism. That matches 21st century tactics," he stated.

The senator then proposed a counterterrorism policy which he would implement as President, a policy known as the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Treaty Organization (CITO).

"CITO will create connections between a wide range of nations on terrorism and intelligence, including countries on all continents," he explained. "CITO will allow members to voluntarily share financial, police, and customs intelligence. Together, nations will be able to track the way terrorists travel, communicate, recruit, train, and finance their operations."

Edwards also spoke of his hope to regulate nuclear weapons if elected. As he explained, he would "create a Global Nuclear Compact to strengthen the Non-Proliferation Treaty". This, he believes, would improve security, and monitor any potential misuse. "I will lead an international effort to rid the world of nuclear weapons," he added.

He briefly touched upon the importance of "energy independence." Edwards hopes to minimize our dependence on oil from "unstable" nations such as Iraq, which he believes would only better both nations.

Edwards then reached out to the new generation of voters, the students. "I have spoken of the need to counter 21st century threats with 21st century strategies. To do that, we need 21st century minds. And that means you," he said. "While the Bush administration used this struggle to divide us, I'm asking you to rise to the challenges we face today. To sacrifice. To make a meaningful contribution to our national effort. It's time to be patriotic about something other than the war."

He suggested that young Americans join the armed forces, learn to speak Middle Eastern (and other) languages, volunteer for organizations that battle poverty, and write to elected officials.

Though he failed to discuss global warming, healthcare, and education policies, he adamantly urged everyone to make sacrifices in order to better the nation.

"We are America, and the future is ours if we have the courage to make it so."

Article Tools