In Cuba, Barack Obama briefed on Brussels terrorist attack
President Barack Obama, traveling in Cuba, was briefed Tuesday morning on the Brussels attacks that killed dozens of people. The White House said the U.S. was in contact with Belgian officials about the explosions at the Brussels airport and subway system. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement that the U.S. was working “to determine the status of all American citizens in Brussels.” The embassy there issued a statement telling Americans to stay where they are and “take the appropriate steps to bolster your personal security.” At least one of the attacks was believed to be caused by a suicide bomber, and Belgium raised its terror alert to its highest level. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the ranking member of the House intelligence committee, said the attacks “bear all the hallmarks” of an Islamic State group coordinated or inspired attack. His staff said he received a preliminary briefing Tuesday from U.S. officials. Schiff says it’s unclear if encrypted communications played a role in the attacks but noted that the Brussels attacks occurred despite the city being under constant vigilance. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it was closely monitoring the unfolding events and “would not hesitate to adjust our security posture, as appropriate, to protect the American people.” DHS reiterated that members of the public should report any suspicious activity in their communities to law enforcement authorities. Attorney General Loretta Lynch was also briefed on the attacks, Justice Department officials in Washington said. They said the Justice Department and the FBI was coordinating with other U.S. government agencies, as well as with Belgian counterparts. Last week U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Homeland Security officials constantly monitor world events and evaluate whether there is a need to either publicly raise the nation’s security posture or issue another bulletin via the government’s National Terror Advisory System. Such a bulletin was issued in December advising the public that federal law enforcement was concerned about the possibility of homegrown violent extremists and terrorist-inspired individuals. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Jeb Bush on Paris terror attack: This is the war of our time
In a pre-scheduled interview tapes with Salem Radio talk-show host Hugh Hewitt shortly after the news was breaking on the terrorist attacks in Paris, Jeb Bush said it’s time for America to lead and called the war on Islamic terrorist “the war on our time.” “No, I’m not surprised,” Bush told Hewitt when asked about his initial reaction, which has now led to 127 deaths from six separate attacks on Friday night. “This is a war being created by Islamic terrorists. it’s not a law enforcement operation and the mindset that in our country at least needs to change to recognize it for what it is. This is an organized effort to destroy Western Civilization. And we need to lead in this regard, we need to re-garner the alliances, fortify those alliances, reconnect with our counterintelligence, and intelligence capabilities with our European allies and engage in the Middle East to take out ISIS, which is more likely to be the wellspring of this type of activity. If it’s not them, there are other terrorist groups. This is the war of our time and we have to be serious in engaging and creating a strategy to confront it and take it out.” French President Francois Hollande said this morning that it was ISIS who was responsible to the attacks.
Martha Roby: We will never forget
It is hard to believe 14 years have passed since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our country. None of us will ever forget where we were that day 14 years ago and how it affected us. The world changed before our very eyes, and, in many ways, it won’t ever be the same. I know you join me in remembering the nearly 3,000 victims who lost their lives at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and on Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We honor the heroes who emerged that day and in the months and years to come: the first responders who ran into flaming buildings and the soldiers who volunteered to serve in the aftermath, many of whom laid down their own lives. May we always solemnly reflect on how much has been sacrificed on our behalf. I believe it is also very important to share our memories of 9-11 with young people who were not alive or were too young to remember. Much like the memories of Pearl Harbor were passed along to us, we owe it to the next generation to explain what happened and how it reshaped our world. This reflection and sharing with young people can help us all reaffirm our steadfast belief in the American ideals of freedom, liberty and justice that make this country what President Abraham Lincoln called the “last best hope of Earth.” This week also marked the third anniversary of the September 11, 2012 terrorist attack on a U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans, including our U.S. Ambassador. We remember those victims who unnecessarily lose their lives and say a prayer for their families on what I’m sure is a very difficult time for them. As you know, I serve on the House Select Committee on Benghazi, which is charged with investigating what happened leading up to, during and in the wake of the attack. What began as far-from-clear explanations from the Obama Administration as to what exactly happened that day and why, has now turned into a remarkable stonewalling effort from the State Department on disclosing Benghazi-related communications to the Select Committee. Despite these roadblocks, I remain committed to a thorough and fact-based investigation on behalf of the victims, their families and the American people who deserve the truth about what happened on a very dark day for our country. The Select Committee will be interviewing some high-ranking officials in the coming weeks, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her top aides at the time. I will keep you posted on our progress. Martha Roby represents Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District. She is currently serving her third term.
Barack Obama, Robert Bentley finally lower flags
Earlier Tuesday, Alabama Today reported State Auditor Jim Zeigler‘s call to Gov. Robert Bentley to lower the flag over the Alabama state capitol to fly at half-staff and join flags across the country in honoring the victims of the terrorist attack at two military centers in Chattanooga last Thursday. At 1:00 p.m. CT, Bentley posted on Facebook that he had just ordered the flags to be lowered. Bentley’s Facebook post came just 30 minutes after President Barack Obama ordered flags at the White House and other public buildings to fly at half-staff after mounting criticism over the delay in honoring five armed forces members killed last week by a gunman. Alabama Today asked the governor’s office whether his actions were before, or in response to, the president’s, it responded, “The governor ordered the flags to be displayed at half-staff today in compliance with the proclamation issued by the president.”
