John Kerry: “we cannot undo the grave events that took place on Tuesday or bring back the loved ones that so many families have lost…”

“we cannot undo the grave events that took place on Tuesday or bring back the loved ones that so many families have lost or quickly restore the sense of security that Americans took for granted. But with resolve and determination we can take actions to root out those who perpetrated these dastardly and heretofore unimaginable events. There should be no question in the minds of those who are responsible for these attacks, or in the minds of those who have aided and abetted them, that the United States will take all necessary and appropriate steps to respond and to prevent them from undertaking additional attacks against our country. In keeping with our very values that were under attack this week, we must respond rationally and judiciously, not out of anger and sadness. This resolution leaves no doubt that the Congress is united in full support of the President. We have given the President the authority that he needs to respond to this unprecedented attack on American citizens on U.S. soil. This resolution allows the President to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or individuals who are responsible for this attack and against those who helped or harbored them. But it does not give the President a blanket approval to take military action against others under the guise of fighting international terrorism. It is not an open-ended authorization to use force in circumstances beyond those we face today.”