‘No place to run’
In the 2006 mid-term elections, no issue is likely to be more determinative of the outcomes of congressional races and, arguably, the future course of our country than public attitudes on national security. In particular, widespread confusion about the nature of the war in which America is engaged and what it will take to prevail in it could have a profound impact in many races around the country. In a democracy like ours, an uninformed electorate can make decisions that are far-reaching and potentially quite dangerous.
Against this backdrop and as a public service, the Center for Security Policy today unveiled a television ad campaign aimed at explaining in no uncertain terms the nature and stakes of the conflict we are waging around the world against an Islamofascist enemy bent on our destruction.
The ad, which can be viewed by clicking here, observes that in this War for the Free World, the United States simply cannot afford to follow the advice of war critics who would have us cut-and-run . It points out that steps such as a withdrawing prematurely from Iraq and/or closing the U.S. facility for detaining terrorists at Guantanamo Bay would unambiguously convey weakness to our enemies, resulting only in more bloodshed abroad and quite possibly renewed attacks against the U.S. homeland.
The ad focuses upon the central reality of our time, which is that in a global war, there is no place to run to. This is conveyed in the closing image of the ad – showing a scene of the globe, the narrator says "The next time someone suggests America should cut-and-run from the war on terror, ask them, ‘run to where?’"
The initial flight of this powerful, 60-second television spot will be released in the markets of state capitals in which debate about the war is particularly intense – Albany, NY; Harrisburg, PA; Columbus, OH; Springfield, MO; and Richmond, VA; as well as in Burlington, VT – and implores the electorate to "Vote as if your life depends on it. Because it does."
Center President Frank J. Gaffney, Jr. noted upon the ad’s release:
All Americans have a stake in the Nation’s success in this war for the Free World. Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike are in the crosshairs of our Islamofascist enemies. The Center’s non-partisan ad campaign is meant to ensure that voters are fully informed about both the nature of this war and what it will take to defeat this enemy, and that they will vote accordingly – as the ad says, as if their lives depend on it, because indeed they do.
The entire script reads as follows:
Since 9/11, most Americans know the world is a dangerous place.
Islamic terrorists hate us for who we are and what we stand for.
Some people seem to think, however, that if we retreat our terrorist enemies will leave us alone.
They say we should close Guantanamo , where captured foes are kept from waging war against us.
They say we should get out of Iraq , where democracy is just getting a foothold.
They seem to think we’ll be safer if we cut-and-run.
But our enemies will see this as proof of our weakness.
They’ll be more convinced than ever that murdering Americans advances their cause, and they’ll try to do so again here at home.
They next time someone suggests America should cut-and-run from the war on terror, ask them, "run to where?"
Mr. Gaffney is the host of Secure Freedom Radio, a nationally-syndicated radio program heard weeknights throughout the country. He is an associate author of highly acclaimed Shariah: The Threat to America and the publisher of over a dozen other books and monographs from the Center for Security Policy Press.
In April 1987, Mr. Gaffney was nominated by President Reagan to become the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy, the senior position in the Defense Department with responsibility for policies involving U.S.-USSR relations, nuclear forces, arms control, missile defense policy and U.S.-European defense ties. He acted in that capacity for seven months during which time, he was the Chairman of the prestigious High Level Group, NATO’s senior politico-military committee. He also represented the Secretary of Defense in key U.S.-Soviet negotiations and ministerial meetings.
From August 1983 until November 1987, Mr. Gaffney was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Forces and Arms Control Policy under Assistant Secretary Richard Perle.
From February 1981 to August 1983, Mr. Gaffney was a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, chaired by the late Senator John Tower (R-Texas). And, in the latter 1970’s, Mr. Gaffney served as an aide to the late Senator Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson (D-Washington) in the areas of defense and foreign policy.
Mr. Gaffney holds a Master of Arts degree in International Studies from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.
Mr. Gaffney’s leadership has been recognized by numerous organizations including: the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award (1987), the U.S. Business and Industry Council’s Defender of the National Interest Award (1994), the Navy League of the United States’ Alfred Thayer Mahan Literary Achievement Award (1999), and the Zionist Organization of America’s “Louis Brandeis Award” (2003), the Western Conservative Summit’s Stephen H. Long Award (2015), the Council for National Policy’s George Washington Military Leadership Award (2016) and the IMPACT Award from Ginni Thomas and United in Purpose (2017).
Mr. Gaffney was born in 1953 and resides in the Washington, D.C. area.
- The UN transforms itself into a world government - September 22, 2024
- Hezbollah is engaged in terrorism, not Israel - September 22, 2024
- Israel must seize the day - September 20, 2024