The ‘No Attacks Mythology’ is Back

Posted on 01/07/2010 at 8:37 am by Bob Cesca

Chris Matthews debunks the myth to Todd Harris:

Matthews suggested one answer, which Harris latched onto. “The Bush administration kept the country safe,” said the guest.

“Except the one big day,” the host shot back.

“YouTube is watching,” he told Harris. “You’re the Republican consultant. One of the best in the country. Tell me what the Republican party has done for this country in the last ten to 20 years.”

Harris stayed silent.

“Thank you,” Matthews said to his recurring GOP guest as he closed the segment. “We’ll have you back with the answer.”

There has never been another terrorist attack as dramatic and with as many casualties as the attacks of September 11. Even if we ignore the other less significant attacks during the Bush years, like the Beltway Snipers and anthrax, how can these people just waive 9/11 with all of its enormity.

I’m having a similar debate on Twitter right now. Wingnuts simply refuse to accept that Bush/Cheney didn’t really “keep us safe.” The evidence is incontrovertible. The wingnut I’m debating posted a freep link to a list of terrorist attacks against U.S. targets and it showed that there were more attacks under Saint Reagan than under Clinton.

If you want a full account of the myth and a thorough debunking, I wrote a chapter about it in my book.

This entry was posted in Terrorism and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
  • http://extremeliberal.wordpress.com/ Jim in Michigan

    Did you see Joe Scarborough try to answer the same question this morning. He said the republicans brought us welfare reforms and kept us safe for 7 years. Time started after 9-11 apparently.

  • roxsteady

    He also said that they balanced the budget. It was really pathetic. Scarborough is an ass. Does he really believe that Republicans get the credit for balancing the budget in the Clinton years? Stupid hayseed!

  • http://zirgar.blogspot.com ZIRGAR

    In reference to GOP administrations getting us into more terrorist attacks, I’m reminded of my dear ol’ grandma’s advice:

    If you don’t wanna get stung, don’t go sticking your nose in a hornet’s nest.

    We suffer more attacks under GOP admins because they like to rattle sabers and stick their proverbial noses into global hornet’s nests. It’s a natural outcome of their worldview and policies.

  • Irish Girl

    I think the underlying point here is crucial though. I mean, it’s not enough for Chris Matthews to point out that the Rethug expert is wrong. Shouldn’t he and other MSM peeps be pointing out that people who say such thing are either 1) purposely trying to mislead the American public as a means of manipulation, or 2) crazier than a june bug. Why isn’t every single piece they do fact checked? It’s getting to where I can’t watch the news anymore….

  • GOVCHRIS1988

    I’ve had my problems with Matthews over the years, but he is on point here. Where does any Republican, or conservative for that matter, get off saying that they are less secure under a Democratic Administration? Its always,”George Bush kept us safe after 9/11?” when I argue with conservatives. I’m like, “Excuse me, but didn’t George Walker Bush take office at 12 Noon January 20,2001?” I remember it, it was on Saturday, I was home from school that day. It was raining,so I didn’t go outside. I saw it. By the Republican rules from the last eight years, this shit with the FAILED terrorist plot shouldn’t even be discussed. Fuckin Hypocrites.

  • watchdog

    Good luck Bob with your twitter debate, I recently went up against two teabaggers on Amazon and I can tell you, they will not hear anything you tell them no matter how much proof you use to back it up with. They will just simply tell you you’re wrong (or call you an idiot) and repeat the same questionable argument they made before just word it a little differently. That is their M.O (along with massive amounts of projection and hypocracy).

  • J M Ashby

    Debating people who hail from Bizzaro World is an act of futility.

  • steelers01

    If you could get mathews head from the anus of zero for a minutee, I would simply say, we as American, think both parties have totally screwed over the American people. The current empty suit in the WH, is spending us into oblivion…..while he lies DAILY to the American people. You lefty demonrats make me sick

  • JackDanieL

    How bout them Steelers?

  • j.w. johnson

    “You lefty demonrats make me sick”You righty glibertarian assholes make me laugh. :D

  • Psiclone

    RE: Watchdog;No amount of evidence can change a mind that has already been made up. Politics and religion are largely matters of belief, so facts often have no effect. Many suffer from “contempt prior to investigation.” You might persuade an independant, but it is unlikely anyone can change the mind of an authoritarian personality type, of which most conservatives are.