Shocking! Bush thinks it's his duty to promote freedom! So did JFK. (vanity)

4/19/04 | Woodward, JFK

[xlib]

From "60 Minutes:"

The president still believes with some conviction, that this was absolutely the right thing, that he has the duty to free people, to liberate people. And this was his moment,” says Woodward.

But who gave President Bush the duty to free people around the world? “That's a really good question. The Constitution doesn't say that's part of the commander in chief's duties,” says Woodward. “That’s his stated purpose. It is far-reaching, and ambitious, and I think will cause many people to tremble.”

[xlib]

Democrats used to believe in exporting liberty, too. From JFK's inaugural address:

...the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe--the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God...

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans--born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage--and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty...

To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom--and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside...

We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed...

Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah--to "undo the heavy burdens . . . (and) let the oppressed go free."

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility--I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it--and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.

[wagglebee]

I'm sure they'll pry the bottle of scotch out of Teddie's hand, give him a cup of coffee, some Visine and promise him a nice intern to go out and say that his brother didn't really mean it like that. Then the libs will trot out a bunch of ex-Watergate alums (John Dean) to say that Woodward is the most honest journalist ever.

[Joe Hadenuf]

But who gave President Bush the duty to free people around the world?

Personally, I don't care who else thought this or believed it, as I agree, it's not the President's job.

[microgood]

I'm sure they'll pry the bottle of scotch out of Teddie's hand, give him a cup of coffee, some Visine and promise him a nice intern to go out and say that his brother didn't really mean it like that.

It's hard to believe this POS is from the same family. What a disgrace. Both Joe's would turn over in their graves.

[vbmoneyspender]

The media whores were only fans of JFK when he was nailing interns and knocking back shots of scotch with Ben Bradlee. All that freedom mumbo-jumbo JFK talked about they really could have done without.

[xlib]

Unless you believe, as Bush does, that the best way to "Provide for the Common Defense" is to spread freedom, since wars between free countries are exceedingly rare.

[MNJohnnie]

But who gave President Bush the duty to free people around the world?
Personally, I don't care who else thought this or believed it, as I agree, it's not the President's job.

No, but the National Security of the US is. Free people do not wage war on each other. The DNC directed "news media" is STILL living in a 9-10-01 world. They still have not gotten a grip with the fundemental change 9-11 made in the World. Despire what the Hard Right Isolationist scream, 9-11 made it pretty clear that we cannot hide our heads in the sand and pretent the rest of the world doesn't matter to us here in Fortress America.

[Solamente]

Remember when all the dirt came out on JFK?

I was in a Wall Street bank, testing an espresso machine that I'd just repaired in the employee cafeteria. Some women were discussing JFK's sordid sex-life, and as I was sipping espresso, one of them says: "His back wasn't bothering him too much, apparently!"

It took me a half-hour to wipe the wall I spit coffee all over.

[xlib]

All that freedom mumbo-jumbo JFK talked about they really could have done without.

That's more true now than it was then.

[Joe Hadenuf]

No, but the National Security of the US is.

Well of course it is. However, those that felt that Iraq was a direct threat to the existence of United States are in my opinion, very mistaken.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Liberals like to TALK about freedom and all the niceties but if someone dares to actually DO something about it, they crap chicken feathers.

[xlib]

those that felt that Iraq was a direct threat to the existence of United States are in my opinion, very mistaken.

Is that the standard? We should only act when our very existence is threatened? OK, I think Islamofascism does threaten our existence. They certainly claim to. And Saddam was the only dictator in the world who openly funded suicide terrorists (Hamas). Even the Taliban tried to deny their complicity; Saddam flaunted his.

[F.J. Mitchell]

If JFK were alive and able to vote for his choice for President, he would probably vote for George W. Bush. As far as sex lives go, he would probably have approved of Clinton's. As for Teddy and his political persuasion, John would be suspecting that Teddy must have been adopted.

[Joe Hadenuf]

OK, I think Islamofascism does threaten our existence.

That may or may not be true, however if what you say is true, why has the security at our *own* borders been basically ignored? If Islamos are a direct threat to the United States then why have we allowed our security to be completely compromised? Should not the protection of America be the number one priority? Did we not see glaring evidence of that lack of security on 911?

[AmericaUnited]

You're embarrassing yourself with the small time thinking.

However, those that felt that Iraq was a direct threat to the existence of United States are in my opinion, very mistaken.

What kind of utter nonsense is that? "Do you know that if a nuke took out 10 million people in let's say LA, the US would still survive, still be intact as a nation. Yup, that's why its no big deal...."

[jeremiah]

Nation building in Iraq, or anywhere else in the world has NEVER worked. Name one nation that has gone from a dictatorship to self rule in a single generation successfully? It is a waste of money, time and precious lives.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Do you know that if a nuke took out 10 million people in let's say LA, the US would still survive, still be intact as a nation.

I had no idea Iraq had delivery systems, let alone nuclear weapons.

[AmericaUnited]

Name one nation that has gone from a dictatorship to self rule in a single generation successfully?

Ok. Poland.

[AmericaUnited]

Don't feel bad. There seems to be an awful lot you don't know.

[jeremiah]

Poland was an educated, freedom loving people before they were oppressed. Besides, the earned their freedom themselves. We are attempting to impose freedom, an impossible task in this region of the world.