Ironically, just as 911 victims’ families got to look at one of America’s weapons against terrorists (Gitmo), there was a terrorist strike on two hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia killing at least six people and wounding more than fifty, eight of those wounded were Americans. As of now, authorities are not sure who carried out the attack and no one has claimed responsibility, but suspicion has fallen on Jemaah Islamiyah, an Al Qaeda linked terrorist group responsible for several high profile bombings in Indonesia over the years.

September 9, 2004 bombing of Australisn Embassy by Jemaah Islamiyah funded by Al Qaeda

Apparently, the CIA was blindsided by the attack even though just yesterday Australian officials warned that the group may still have the ability to carry out attacks. What this shows us is that we need better intel, more resolve, and a political establishment with the guts to fight these terrorists. Instead we get talk of giving them more rights, relocating detainees, and bringing suspected terrorists into the continental United States. We cannot start showing weakness to the terrorists. We need to let them know that our retaliation will be massive. We need to make their decision-making body understand that launching even one more attack means a wholesale retaliation on their cells everywhere. The administration has not made this clear and instead has given them the impression that we are wavering in our commitment to fighting terror. What we need to do is launch another drone attack in Pakistan, invade another Taliban-infested province of Afghanistan, pressure our allies to shut down known terror cells, and restart the trials of the terrorists we have in custody. That might make them more careful in weighing the potential benefits of terrorizing any country… anywhere. So far, the president has simply condemned the attacks… let’s hope he can also walk the walk.

-AG