Herald-Standard - Santorum: Intelligence Key to Defending Against Terrorism

Herald-Standard - Santorum: Intelligence Key to Defending Against Terrorism

By Jennifer Harr, Herald-Standard

U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum said Thursday that intelligence is key to defending against terrorist attacks.

During a campaign stop at Uniontown's Storey Square, the Republican senator from Pennsylvania said news of a foiled plot to use liquid explosives to blow up planes coming from Great Britain into the United States has again showed we are living in "a very chilling time."

He said the plan was "obviously very close to fruition" and was thankfully realized and curtailed by British intelligence.

"It shows beyond a doubt that intelligence is one of the most important tools we have to defend against Islamic fascists."

The plot targeted flights from Britain to the U.S., specifically to New York, Washington, D.C., and California. News of the plot prompted a ban on liquids of any kind in carry-on bags. The ban includes toothpaste, makeup, perfume and suntan lotion, in addition to any drinks. Baby formula and medicines were exempt, but have to be inspected.

The Associated Press reported that armed guards stood at security checkpoints in major U.S. airports and passengers were forced to wait in long lines as airport officials put tighter security measures into place.

U.S. authorities raised the threat level to "red" for flights from Britain and all other flights were under an "orange" alert, the step below.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told the Associated Press that the plot appeared to have been engineered by al-Qaida, the terrorist group responsible for the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Santorum said Americans will be protected by better intelligence, and by "taking it to them (terrorists) in their own back yard."

He questioned what could have happened if intelligence measures had not been in place to thwart the plot before it was set fully in motion.

"This is a serious enemy. We better start taking them seriously and stop them," he said.

He said it's frustrating to see details of intelligence leaked to the mainstream press because it compromises everyone's security.

"Intelligence is one of the most important ways we can defeat Islamic fascism," Santorum said.

He said there aren't just a specific country or group that Americans should fear.

"This is a coordinated network of people who have one objective - to kill you as Westerners or to control you ... to make you submit to their rule," Santorum said. "They're a real threat."

He said the enemy is "radial, fundamental fascist Islam," and indicated that pulling troops out of the Middle East is not the way to thwart the threat. If U.S. troops pulled out, Santorum said the terrorists would come to the United States.

"If you don't think they will follow us to the U.S. ... you're wrong," he said.

He called criticism of the war "horrific political gamesmanship," and urged those gathered to hear him talk to make their voices heard in the November election.

"The people of Pennsylvania are going to have a say about what direction our country's going to take and I hope I can count on you. I hope I can count on Fayette County," said Santorum, who brought his wife and six children with him on his "Keep Up the Fight" tour.

County commissioner Joseph Hardy said he supports Santorum's bid to remain in office and called the senator "a true friend" and "a wonderful family person."

Hardy said Santorum has been a man of action and predicted that it may not be too long before he makes a run for the Oval Office.

Santorum returned the kudos, calling Hardy "a gift from God" for his revitalization efforts in downtown Uniontown.

"It takes one person with a vision ... and you've done that in a way that is exemplary," Santorum told Hardy.

He told Hardy that he wanted to be a part of Fayette's revitalization and pledged to be "very active and supportive of the projects in this county."

Fayette County Republican Party chairman Dr. Richard Grimaldi said the upcoming election was an important one for county voters. He asked everyone present to sign up on unregistered voter and have that person cast a ballot for Santorum.

"You don't know what you have until you lose it," Grimaldi said.

Bob Casey Jr. is running as a Democrat against Santorum, who has been in office for 12 years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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