The Obama Administration’s National Security Policies (or Lack of)
In the midst of the sequester and spending cuts, one important area of the budget is being cut — the Department of Defense. By doing so, Obama is picking up where Bill Clinton left off. Robert “Buzz” Patterson’s book, Dereliction of Duty, describes how Clinton jeopardized our national security.
During the Clinton Administration, the Army was reduced from 18 divisions to 10 divisions. The Navy was reduced from 546 ships to 380 ships. Meanwhile, the Air Force was reduced from 76 flight squadrons to 50 squadrons. Overall, the active-duty force was reduced from 2.1 million to 1.6 million. Needless to say, such cuts left America in a vulnerable state, given the threats posed by China, North Korea, Iran, and Al-Qaeda.
If that wasn’t enough, the Clinton Administration gave waivers to China, such as satellite-launching agreements with American aerospace companies. Chinese companies with ties to China’s military were sold military-related technology, including supercomputers and encryption software. The money allegedly was given to the Democratic National Committee.
Meanwhile, the Department of Energy had phased out its security policies. For instance, the use of colored security badges to determine who had clearance to restricted areas was abandoned, on the grounds that it was “discriminatory.” Thus, people from North Korea, Iran, Russia, or China could have access to previously secure areas. As a result, China had access to information on America’s most advanced nuclear warheads. Also, the Department of Energy had engaged in selling technology to China or its middlemen. It also transferred sensitive information to less secure computer systems, which in turn became accessible via an internet search. Thus, anyone could just google previously classified nuclear information.
Of course, Clinton did little when it came to terrorism. Since he wanted to reduce the size of the military, he chose to combat terrorism via law enforcement. Such tactics produced few results. Interestingly, the Justice Department was the only department to increase in personnel during the 1990s.
Thus, Obama is determined to finish not what he started, but what Clinton started. He is wanting to reduce the size of the military, while increasing the size of federal law enforcement. I guess both men trust federal law enforcement more than they do the military (or the American people for that matter). He prefers to label terrorism as “man-caused disasters” amidst a bunch of politically incorrect terminology. He plans to release currently-detained illegal immigrants, while showing little interest in protecting our borders. Obama even plans to shut down the air defense for the Southern United States on March 15 (the Ides of March).
Clinton’s disregard for national security resulted in a series of terrorist attacks, including 9/11. There is no telling what Obama’s disregard for national security will lead to.
By the way, Bill Clinton will be in Owensboro, Kentucky on Wednesday, March 6 for some charity fundraiser. I am contemplating having a protest by carrying a sign that says “Clinton paved the way for 9/11.”
Image: source: President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton; P121010PS-0433; author: The White House from Washington, DC