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Al Sharpton on Homeland Security
Reverend; Civil Rights Activist; Democratic Candidate for President
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Blame the terrorists, not the Islamic religion
Q: What should the United States be doing between the West and Islam? A: We can't allow the distortion, because Bush and some of his crowd have said they represent a Christian view against the Islamic. And I don't think Christ could join most of
their churches. I don't think they represent Christianity any more than some of these murderers, and mass murderers, represent Islam. So let's not blame the religion. Let's blame those that use religion to do some ruthless, deadly, wicked acts.
Source: Democratic 2004 primary Debate in Greenville SC
Jan 29, 2004
Eliminate Funding for national missile defense
Indicate your funding level changes for defense programs:- Greatly Increase Funding: Armed Forces personnel training
- Maintain Funding Status: Intelligence operations
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Maintain Funding Status: Military hardware
- Maintain Funding Status: Modernization of weaponry and equipment
- Eliminate Funding: National missile defense
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Greatly Increase Funding: Pay for active duty personnel
- Slightly Increase Funding: Programs to improve troop retention rates
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Slightly Decrease Funding: Research and development of new weapons
- Maintain Funding Status: Troop and equipment readiness
Source: Vote-Smart Presidential National Political Awareness Test
Jan 8, 2004
Submit to a world body to combat the terrorists
Q: With US troops gone, how do you prevent terrorists from moving in? A: First of all, I think we've got to start at the beginning. We were told we had to go to Iraq because we were in imminent danger. That was not true.
If we go to the UN, if we go to the world community and we say to them, "We are not in charge. We will submit to a world body. Kofi Annan is in charge. We will be part of a partnership." The world can then come forward.
Source: CNN "Rock The Vote" Democratic Debate
Nov 5, 2003
Cut defense budget, even if unpopular
Q: As president, what would be the least popular, most right thing you would do?
SHARPTON: I would take a critical review of our defense budget. I would not do anything that would jeopardize America. But I think things like F-11 bombers and other unnecessary military equipment, we need to take the money away.
Source: Debate at Pace University in Lower Manhattan
Sep 25, 2003
Military increases have nothing to do with terrorism
The military budget has increased by 30% in 2002. Most of the expenses had nothing to do with terrorism but were things they were trying to push through for years. Bush has called for even more money to be pumped into the military,
but the majority of that money will never see its way down to the soldiers; it will not dramatically increase their pay and benefits or protect them. Meanwhile, schools, Social Security, and other domestic needs are getting a budget cut.
Source: Al On America, by Rev. Al Sharpton, p. 34
Jan 1, 2002