Hoekstra: Terrorism influences everything

By Dave Alexander Chronicle Business Editor

West Michigan's congressman had a suggestion for what people could do in the war on terror. Pray.

Others at the White Lake Chamber of Commerce Monday spoke about local tourism, road projects and budget deficits. But U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, presented a sobering message about terror and our limitations in fighting that war. "While there is much to be optimistic about with West Michigan and our state, we are a nation at war," Hoekstra told 150 community leaders at the White Lake chamber's annual legislative lunch hosted by Howmet Castings at the company's new Plant No. 10 conference center.

A member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, Hoekstra was at a recent closed-door "terrorist threat" briefing by America's top analysts. What he learned has the six-term congressman concerned. Terrorists could try to affect the November election with brutal attacks and the next six months in Iraq will be difficult, Hoekstra said.

The congressman reminded his constituents of the recent example in Spain, where bloody terrorist bombings just before the election appeared to sway the vote toward anti-war candidates. After the vote, the new government immediately announced it would pull its troops out of the coalition forces in the Middle East. "How disappointing was that?" Hoekstra said. "We would have hoped that ... they would quadruple their troops and track down the terrorists. Instead, saying 'we're outta here' sends the wrong message to the terrorists."

Hoekstra said that the pending American election gives the same terrorist groups another opportunity. "In America, how are we going to react?" Hoekstra asked. An attack during our election campaign "is not a far-fetched possibility," he said. "With the elections and all, there is a volatile mix right now ... one that I don't like."

The media already has discussed the possible targets, places that make sense for terrorists to strike or are similar to European attacks. The U.S. Capitol, White House and subway systems in New York and Washington would be high on any list of targets, Hoekstra said. "We need to all recognize that we are in this together," Hoekstra said. "I think it is a threat that is real. This can't be on the back burner. It must be dealt with now."

The recent casualties in Iraq have sombered Hoekstra. He spoke of attending the funeral of 48-year-old Stephen Hulett, a Manistee man working for the Haliburton Co. on contract with the U.S. military. He was killed west of Baghdad April 9 when his convoy was attacked.

"We lost 136 American lives last month in Iraq," Hoekstra said. "That is 136 families and 136 communities that are different than they were at the beginning of the month. Somehow we need to integrate this into our lives."

Hoekstra relayed an account of a recent trip when he stopped at Cleveland's airport. There, he encountered two soldiers back from the Middle East, home on two weeks leave before returning for another eight months. "Shame on people who knew where they had been for not going up and thanking them," Hoekstra said. "And shame on me for not getting (the airport waiting arera) to give them applause."

But when asked how his constituents in West Michigan should respond to the war and terrorism issues, Hoekstra admitted he had no good answer. He said Americans need to pay more attention to foreign affairs. Likewise, politicians need to engage voters about foreign policy issues, he said. Young people should study foreign policy, world affairs and learn a second language. Not only could that spread understanding, such skills could lead to job opportunities.

But in the final analysis, when asked what his constituents can do about war and terror, the congressman returned to his religious beliefs. "I'm a firm believer in the power of prayer," Hoekstra said. "We need some divine guidance right now. Pray that we can work together and remain unified. I don't think folks realize how tough this really is."

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