Weekend Buff

The McCarthy Report

Today is a tough one. For me, the days leading up to the September 11th anniversary bring a sense of internal angst - impossible to forget, but difficult to relive. I’m sure everyone who experienced that brutal attack has a similar feeling. I hope all of us take the time to reflect, and perhaps pray, for the victims, those left behind who still miss a loved one, and those dealing with an 9/11 related illness.

My September 11th, 2001 was easier than for many cops. I returned to work after recently finishing my midnight shift and was assigned to help evacuate people from the piers near the Intrepid. I didn’t make it down to the Trade Center until the next night. I can’t imagine the impact that this anniversary has on those who were present at Ground Zero, or that had loved ones in the towers.

For almost 3,000 Americans, it was the last day of their lives. For thousands more, it was the worst day of their lives. Today we pray for them and and their families.

There are many movies, documentaries, and books about that day; some reflective, some historical, and most heartbreaking. I decided to make a recommendation in a different direction for this edition of Weekend Buff.

Former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy’s podcast, The McCarthy Report, is one I never miss. His legal and political insight on a variety of topics is unmatched in its fairness and expertise. He generally presents an unbiased view that is fact-based and informative.

McCarthy is likely the foremost legal expert on issues surrounding the Jihadi’s mission of “death to America”. He was a Chief Assistant US Attorney in SDNY on September 11th, but his story goes back much further than that. He prosecuted the first attack on the World Trade Center in 1993 against the Blind Sheikh, Abdel Rahman, and his followers. He knows the ins-and outs, the backstories, and the challenges of the many terrorism cases prosecuted in the Southern District of NY; and has a deep understanding of their implications.

That is why his episodes on counterterrorism issues are so important. His analysis comes from personal experience and expertise - and it’s downright frightening. He warns of the danger of the radical mindset that brought death to the streets of New York, and explains why that danger cannot be ignored.

This week’s episode explores the legal and policy decisions surrounding the war against America that many did not realize we were fighting until that fateful day.

The episode, released yesterday, serves two purposes. First, it relates the historic and legal events leading up to and encompassing September 11, 2001. It then explains policy mistakes that the United States made, and continue to make, in its approach to Jihadi terrorism. McCarthy needs no script to make his points. He lived these events and decisions, and recalls them with remarkable clarity.

In his opinion, this threat is far from over, and argues the reasons why with the skill that comes from years of brilliant work at a prosecutor.

McCarthy explains the absurd reliance on the legal system to keep America safe. He points to mistakes made by several presidential administrations, and the absurdity of the scheduled trials of captured terrorists like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

He is unequivocal with his statement that, “A war is not a crime, and you do not bring your enemies to a courthouse”. The federal justice system is not designed for this task.

His analysis of impossibility of trying to change the mindset of people who are trying to destroy our culture is spot on.

In short, he is all in on the fight against terrorism. That makes this week’s episode particularly compelling.

You can find The McCarthy Report on the Apple Podcast application or on the National Review website. Each episode runs about an hour, and covers a variety of topics. McCarthy took a two-month hiatus over the summer, but hopefully is back to his regular weekly schedule. Enjoy, and God Bless America!