National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice will appear on major national broadcast networks – ABC, NBC, CBS and PBS – TV Thursday at 9 a.m. to respond to allegations that the President neglected to act upon prior warnings of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Rice will testify before the Sept. 11 commission as a contribution to a report due July 26. This report will document national security concerns and assist in heightening the awareness of security specialists from the CIA and other government agencies.
Rice agreed to take on Congress under oath, as she did once before in a private session back in February, but this time on national television. Rice chose to give this second testimony only after Bush decided to bow out under pressure from the media. Bush said he is entrusting Rice to handle the situation because she has direct knowledge of the events that ensued and the relevant facts.
Why is it that Bush cannot face the American people himself? It is a shame that Bush has his Cabinet members doing all of his dirty work. He is avoiding the faces of the citizens who depend on him for solid leadership, guidance and above all, honesty.
Bush needs to step up and answer questions about the state of our nation and its security endeavors at some point, and he needs to answer them for everyone at one time.
Condoleezza Rice is not the one who will bring satisfaction and peace to the hearts and minds of the American people, and it is not her job to do so.
The fact that Bush seems to be hiding behind her skirt says a lot about his integrity – or lack thereof.
If after almost three years President Bush cannot discuss the events of Sept. 11 with U.S. citizens openly and with some sense of maturity and purpose, perhaps he does not need the strain of serving another four years in the White House.
In the meantime, everyone will finally hear the truth – or so it seems – about the events leading up to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the actions that were and could have been taken to avoid the devastation beforehand.