HOMELAND SECURITY Don't compare terrorists to common criminals, Ridge says

Ridge said the entire nation must be involved in fighting terrorism.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Responding to Sen. John Kerry's saying he wants terrorism to be reduced to a "nuisance," Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge said Friday that terrorists should never be treated like common criminals.
"Terrorists are not trying to acquire a little money and push drugs," Ridge said at a conference. "The outcomes that they seek are far broader in scale than any criminal enterprise."
Ridge was answering reporters' questions about a recent quote by the Democratic presidential candidate in a magazine saying he hopes terrorism could be reduced to a nuisance on par with prostitution and gambling. Ridge said the sustained national and international efforts required to combat terrorism are far beyond what's needed to fight other crime.
"It's just one more difference as to whether you view it as a criminal enterprise or whether you feel the need to engage the entire country to combat this evil," Ridge said.
"There's certainly a difference in candidates' approach and you obviously know which approach I think is more consistent with the long-term goals and philosophy of the terrorists as we know them and as we've seen them operate."
'In it for the long haul'
Ridge also said terrorists' goals are so long-term that it doesn't matter to them who is president.
"The battle to confront terrorism internationally is something this country has to be prepared to do over the next several presidents," Ridge said. "I don't think it's going to make much difference because they're in it for the long haul."
Ridge spoke at an annual law enforcement conference sponsored by Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro, a Republican. He did not mention President Bush or Kerry in his 21-minute speech to about 1,400 officials from around the state.