Green Party says Sept. 11 commission misses mark, will not help end terrorism; Democrats ‘asleep at the wheel' on 9/11

GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: Wed., July 23, 2004

Contacts:
Cres Vellucci, State Press Office, 916-996-1970,
Beth Moore Haines, GPCA Spokesperson, 530-277-0610,
Sara Amir, GPCA Spokesperson, 310-270-7106,

SACRAMENTO – The Sept. 11 commission's just-released final report fails to address the deep-seated U.S. policies that may have led to the 9/11 attack, and does not recognize that the U.S. may be creating new enemies for generations to come by killing and maiming thousands of civilians in Iraq, according to the Green Party of California.

But, the Greens said the commission did get it right when it criticized Congress.

"This report is an indictment of Congressional leaders, Republicans and Democrats alike, who were asleep at the wheel on Sept. 11, 2001," said Pat Driscoll, Green candidate in the 5th Congressional District (Sacramento).

The Report's recommendation that the U.S. present itself as a "moral"example to the world ignores the moral damage wrought by an illegal invasion of Iraq, the ongoing carnage in Iraq and the torture and abuse of men, women, and children at Abu Ghraib, said the Greens.

"Why would any sane person believe what the Bush Administration and other officials are now saying about Iran? Democrats and Republicans have shown they should be voted out of office for believing, and now continuing to go along with, the plans of a liar, a criminal, and a mass murderer," said Tom Lash, 46th Congressional District candidate (Orange/Los Angeles).

The Greens also expressed concerns that the report supports, generally, the USA PATRIOT Act and its very oppressive changes to U.S. civil liberties, including a national identification card.

"Congressional leaders have failed in their role in overseeing the Executive branch and have allowed unprecedented secrecy and attacks against our civil rights," Driscoll added.

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The Green Party of California
http://www.cagreens.org
P.O. Box 2828, Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
gpca@greens.org