Colleagues may argue, but our country is safer than pre-9/11 and the Commission on the Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States agrees.

Since that fateful morning three years ago, George Bush has worked to strengthen our homeland security; he has taken the fight to the terrorists’ doorstep, and he has a vision to ensure America’s safety in the future.

\With regard to homeland security, the president signed into existence the Department of Homeland Security.

By bringing almost two dozen agencies together, the different entities can now better share intelligence and more efficiently coordinate counter-terror efforts.

Although the Patriot Act has been very controversial, it has given the government an advantage over the terrorists. Because George Bush cares about our civil liberties, he gave an executive order to create the President’s Board on Safeguarding Americans’ Civil Liberties in late August.

Recently President Bush moved to enact the vast majority of the 9/11 Commission’s proposals. With these initiatives and others, the president is leading the way in making the United States safer at home.

Sept. 11, 2001, showed us that our oceans could no longer protect America. In order to protect our homeland, we must take the fight to the terrorists — where they eat, sleep, train and receive funding.

In direct response to the 9/11 attacks, President Bush did just that in Afghanistan.

The Taliban has been effectively destroyed, and a large majority of Al Qaeda have been detained or killed.

Diplomacy only works when it is backed up by force.

By exercising that force and liberating Iraq, President Bush has removed a tyrant that oppressed his people and supported terrorism (payouts to families of suicide bombers), given Iraq back to its people, and caused countries like Libya to change their detrimental courses.

President Bush has shown he will stand up against terrorists and countries that advocate terrorism.

Recent events in Iraq and, most disturbing, Russia, have shown us what we are up against.

America needs someone who will stand on a wall and say “not on my watch.”

George W. Bush has been that man and will continue to be that man in his next term.