A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-27-04...."My fellow Americans, we will not fail"

JohnHuang2;dutchess;billie | JohnHuang2

[dutchess]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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"My fellow Americans, we will not fail."

by JohnHuang2

Hmmm. There's a big rumor about some speech by Bush on Monday night -- have you heard about this? ;-)

The media expected a speech detailing a clear strategy for handing over power. They expected a convincing plan, a bill of particulars, on just how Bush plans to transfer authority. No skipping over detail, No minutia Left Behind. Forget about over-arching visions or themes; a Big Picture Speech would not fit the bill -- critics wanted specifics. Real specifics. Nothing less than a blow-by-blow, point-by-point handover plan from Bush would do.

Well, did Bush deliver? Are you kidding? It may surprise you to hear me say this, but if that's what this speech was supposed to do -- offer a detailed plan to hand over power -- then this speech fell short of the mark. Way, waaaaay short. Nothing in this speech tells me that Bush has a clear plan to hand over power -- hand over power to Democrats next January, that is. He doesn't need one. Kerry will lose and this speech is one big reason why.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"We did not seek this war on terror," thundered the President, "but this is the world as we find it. We must keep our focus. We must do our duty. History is moving, and it will tend toward hope, or tend toward tragedy. Our terrorist enemies have a vision that guides and explains all their varied acts of murder." Bush's address, delivered at the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., wasn't just another speech; it was a masterful performance, a pageantry of language, a withering tour-de-force, with more tour-de-forces set to follow. The prime-time speech marks the launch of a no-holds-barred offensive, the first in a series of major speeches by Bush laying out U.S. plans in the pivotal five-week lead-up to the June 30 handover in Iraq.

In words of blazing eloquence, yet glaring simplicity, the President set forth a forceful, bold, compelling case, in a clean, clear-cut manner, as only he could deliver. The message was candid and straightforward -- no sugar-coating, no nuance here. It was vintage George W. Bush. Even from its pointed opening, the purpose of this speech was plain. The aim wasn't -- media claims notwithstanding -- some cynical endeavor to shift attention from recent 'setbacks', such as the shrinking Abu Ghraib prison 'scandal', already running on fumes. Nor was it to shift attention from 'escalating' and spreading turmoil in Iraq, neither escalating nor spreading. The 'growing insurgency' isn't growing, a spreading 'civil war' isn't spreading and the collapse of Iraq, though widely reported, has failed to occur. Quagmire? Sorry, Charlie, but that Quagmire just won't hunt.

With Democrats on the ropes and *Foragainst* Kerry vacillating over the nomination, Bush took his message directly to the people, leaping cheerfully over the heads of the Beltway elite. Like the bullhorn he used at Ground Zero to rally a nation, Bush on Monday grabbed the loudest bullhorn of all, blaring forth from his Bully-Pulpit the straight scoop with crispness and resolve. In total command of the stage, Bush was passionate yet poised, spirited yet studious, ardent yet confident, disciplined yet emboldened. And defiant as always. Regarding his policy of taking the fight to the enemy in Iraq, Bush was unwavering and unflappable, his words unflagging and unrepentant, a sweeping textbook case of principled leadership and fortitude, of courage undaunted by polls or critics or doomsayers. Strength and triumph, hope and resilience -- these are Bush's defining traits, the portrait of a true leader, a forward-looking leader who inspires confidence. Bush is highly contagious. Just ask America. But there's more. Though likability and charisma in a leader are no doubt important, even more crucial is good character, and Bush, a man of unshaken faith and steely instincts, has it in spades. It's what drives his nutty opponents nuttier still. Bewildered and flustered and flummoxed, Democrats keep misunderestimating him and he's loving every minute. Just the notion of Four More Years makes Dems come unglued. Democrats better get used to it.

"Our enemies in Iraq," said the President, "are good at filling hospitals, but they do not build any. They can incite men to murder and suicide, but they cannot inspire men to live, and hope, and add to the progress of their country. The terrorists' only influence is violence, and their only agenda is death. Our agenda, in contrast, is freedom and independence, security and prosperity for the Iraqi people. And by removing a source of terrorist violence and instability in the Middle East, we also make our own country more secure."

Watching the grit and mettle and courage flow freely from that dais Monday, as words of boldness and purpose and firmness charged forth, it's small wonder why Bush, much to elite chagrin, still enjoys the trust and confidence of most Americans. This resilience becomes all the more striking given the months of pounding from rivals and sustained media barrage on Iraq. Through it all, Bush never loses that aura of quiet confidence, his trademark coolness and fortitude under fire. A shrewd, resourceful leader, Bush remains in full command, with wisdom and insight shaping debate on issues primarily on his terms. Bush's excelling performance Monday will do little to soothe the growing sense of Democrat unease as Kerry, blundering aimlessly from issue to issue, goes nowhere in polls even while the Nader threat grows ominously.

In Pennsylvania, the Texas hombre laid down the law, outlining his multi-step plan the media says he doesn't have, including the handover of sovereignty on June 30, an end to the U.S.-led occupation and a timetable for national elections next January. While Democrats pressed for a timetable for U.S. defeat, Bush was having none of it. This Democrat demand for 'timetables' is especially amusing, given Kerry's struggle to cough up a timetable for accepting the nomination. (Democrats: Why don't you marry me? Kerry: Can't we talk this over?) Chances are, you'll probably see voting in Iraq before you'll see voting at any Democrat convention.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three years into his Presidency, Bush has led America to victory in two wars, wrested the U.S. economy from recession and wrested America from further terrorist attacks. (Tell me: Is this any way to run a Failed Presidency?)

But Democrats aren't about to take this lying down, even as the pace of U.S. casualties shows signs of ebbing and the pace of U.S. job creation shows signs of booming. In the global War On Islamo-fascism, moreover, the contrast between the parties could not be starker. Or more relevant. Take the Bush approach versus the Democrat approach. To Bush, the global campaign against terror is truly global, involving more than 60 nations, from Asia to Latin America, where ever terrorist groups with global reach may be found. Democrats don't have a problem with making the fight global; just keep the fight in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, they spend gobs of time 'researching' Abu Ghraib sex videos and naked guy photos -- that's their idea of how to make America safe. (Don't you sleep better at night knowing these photos have been captured?)

Bottom line? The War On Terror must have global reach to rid the world of terrorists with global reach. That's the Bush concept. The Democrat concept? Terrorists with global reach are dealt with by keeping America from global reach -- that way they won't hate us so much. Contain America, don't contain the terrorists. For Democrats, the key in this battle is not to battle. Fighting terrorists only makes matters worse, so it's best to appease the bully and the bully will leave us alone. The problem with this argument is that it was never valid to begin with: It crumbled when two towers crumbled. Al-Qaeda needed no provocation from us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And herein lays the crux of the problem for Democrats and why Democrats continue to trail Bush so badly on security/defense (with no expectation of closing the gap): They're hopelessly clueless as to the nature of the enemy. And voters know it. Lacking any coherent vision, in their world of illusions, these boobs whip out the same lame excuses for terrorists they used during the height of what Reagan called that 'Twilight Struggle' against communism -- the Cold War. Democrats saw communists, not as enemies, but as potential chums. If only we'd 'reach out' to them, life would be a bowl of cherries. We must come to grips with communism; branding the Soviets the Evil Empire is mindlessly provocative, and only makes the Evil Empire madder at us. And more determined. Communists can be placated -- not defeated. The more you fight communism, the more communism you'll need to fight. Leave them alone and they'll leave you in Peace. Besides, Republicans exaggerate the threat communism. Sound familiar? Democrats like Kerry, Teddy and Pelosi rooted for the enemy then, they're rooting for the enemy today. It's why Democrats are in for a shellacking this November.

Anyway, that's...

My two cents

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 05-24-04...Military Monday 05-25-04..."Indiana, the "Crossroads of America" 05-26-04...Letter from a Proud Military Wife

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[dutchess]

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All.

[dutchess]

It's Thursday at the Finest...that means it's another tell it like it is essay from our favorite resident author...JohnHuaug2. Please stop by and enjoy life on the RIGHT side.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Dutchess.

[The Raven]

>>Democrats saw communists, not as enemies, but as potential chums

Has anyone yet figured out what Kerry and the Dems would do, should they find themselves in power and no Republicans to blame?

Their foreign policy of "It's all Bush's fault" matches up quite nicely with their domestic policy, but we just saw Kerry go through a decision-making process where he couldn't blame Bush ("Should I accept the nomination or not?") and it took days of deep thought.

Rush pointed out the other day that if - instead of saying "It's all Bush's fault" - they instead spouted their true ideology, they wouldn't get any votes.

So I suppose that's why we had the same thing [ "It's all [Newt's, Ken Starr's, Reagan's, Nixon's, capitalism's, rich people's, big buisness's] fault] in the past - and their pessimistic, "glass half-full" view of the world is only cheered by the mystical, utopian, Republican-free dreamworld in their heads. That used to be the USSR, Cuba, North Korea, and China.

Lord knows what the libs were thinking when the cold war ended like a pimple bursting and the day-to-day folks ripped down the Berlin wall.

[MEG33]

Great Pledge and layout,dutchess!...Thank you ,John, for another terrific column.

[GailA]

Good Morning FRiends gonna be another beautiful day that our Lord has made. Another homer as usual John.

Coffee's on

[DollyCali]

Thank you for wise words & beautiful presentation. Good team!

Our president gave some good information that was ignored & will be continually twisted by the twisted media.

Amazing how the networks also saw fit to not provide important coverage yesterday for fBI & Ashcroft information.

i am still amazed ANYONE can support Kerry...I guess that is what goes with knowing half the story.

[The Mayor]

Do you think that they were worse sinners . . . ? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. —Luke 13:4-5

In alarming situations, listen for God's wake-up call.

[The Mayor]

May 27, 2004

Calamity

Read: Luke 13:1-5

Do you think that they were worse sinners . . . ? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. —Luke 13:4-5

Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 1-3; John 10:1-23

---

Some Christians are quick to declare that a public disaster (such as a terrorist attack, an earthquake, or a flood) is the result of divine judgment. In reality, a complex array of factors lie behind most disasters.

In Luke 13, Jesus was asked about some people who were cruelly murdered, and about 18 people who died when a tower collapsed on them. The people asking the questions were wondering if those who died were worse sinners than others. "I tell you, no," said Jesus, "but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (vv.3,5).

Instead of reading divine judgment into tragedies, we should see them as a call to personal repentance. This is especially true for unbelievers, but it is also true for Christians. Acts of terrorism, for example, challenge us to learn about the injustices that in part motivate people to commit such horrible atrocities. And we can pray earnestly for the conversion and the good of the desperate people who commit such acts.

Calamities in themselves are never good, but they can fulfill God's purposes when they serve as a wake-up call to believers, and when they bring unbelievers to repentance and faith in Jesus. Let's not ask, "Who's to blame?" but "Lord, what are You saying to me?" —Herb Vander Lugt

When great calamity befalls,
We wonder why it's sent;
But God says, "Ask not who has sinned—
Just hear My call, 'Repent!'" —D. De Haan

In alarming situations, listen for God's wake-up call.

[Lakeside]

'Mornin' everybody! It's another beautiful day in paradise.

JH2 hit another one out of the park. We have a great leader in our President and columns like John's give me hope and confidence that we shall have four more years of it. That is if we all get out and vote....not to mention exposing voter fraud which, I fear, will be rampant.

Love you all and hope ya'll have a blessed day!

[Common Tator]

Superb layout Dutchess and as usual John does a masterful job.

Kerry has a real problem. Both he and George Bush will get 75 million for the General election. Kerry has to make 75 million last 14 weeks.. Bush has to make his 75 million last 9 weeks. In addition Bush can spend all he can raise in the 5 week diferential. Kerry can only spend part of the 75 million. It is a huge disadvantage for Kerry. The question is why did the DNC allow this disadvantage to exist. The DNC had to know it would severely curtail the chances of the Democratic nominee?

Here is my take on why Kerry has the huge General Election money disadvantage.

[dutchess]

God Bless Our Military
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess or Aquamarine and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OhioWfan...................son mystery-ak......son, husband Gogrammy.............grandson Inspectorette................son Blessed American........nephew Slip18........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Diver Dave......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy.....2 nephews Pippin..........niece, loved one Pippin...nephew & his fiance weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.........cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon..........son-in-law BeforeISleep.................son kimmie7.....................brother Armymarinemom..........3 sons LadyX.....................grandson fawn796...................nephew Dubya.......................nephew StarCMC...................brother ValerieUSA................2 sons Lakeside....................2 sons Spruce...................daughter Philman_36............2 nephews Warrior Nurse........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly.......active duty bkwells..................active duty LongCut..................active duty cjk.......................... active duty Trish.......................active duty ODC-GIRL............active duty AF_Blue..................active duty Notwithstanding......active duty thumperusn.............active duty Q6-God..................active duty Q6-God.................twin brother Veloxherc...............actuve duty

Maigrey.....................cousin WVNan....................friend's son ladtx..........................2 sons Mama_Bear..............2 nephews gator girl..................husband severa.............husband, brother Hostel........................cousin MozartLover............son, nephew LBGA.............................son katykelly......................son cookcounty...................son SpookBrat....nephew, cousin Doug from Upland.....son-in-law Himyar......................son boxerblues............... sons the piper...................son sheeza................husband kemathen7............husband Tiffee4Bob..........boyfriend deadhead..................cousin JimRobinson.......2 nephews TexKat.............son, step-son RoseinRoseBear.cousin's hubby Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel......................niece Donaeus....................nephew dixiesass..................nephew BeAllYouCanBe............son Repubmommy...............brother AgThorn....................2 sons homeschoolmama.........nephew kneezles.......................son Redhead.........stepdaughter Redhead..step-grdaughter's fiance Atomic Conspiracy..half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...niece Atomic Conspiracy...nephew SunflowerGal..........grandson visualops..................cousin Alouette......................son mrstank......................husband MrsMike31................husband

[LadyX]

Wondeful presentation, dutchess, and the Pledge of Allegiance graphic is just perfect...

[LadyX]

Good morning to you, Lady of the Lake!

Another Fine Day with JH at The Finest, we sojourners gathering here for edification and inspiration..:))

Thanks, JH, for our weekly dose of sanity - -

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Thursday !

I look forward to reading John's essay in a little while ! :^)

[Aquamarine]

Can't hang around here today but just wanted to tell you two that this is a Masterpiece!

[Aquamarine]

I read your article, great punchline at the end about K&M. :)

[LadyX]

'Dear John' Letter # 1,021:

No morning fare of pablum ye bring us this day, JH !! 'Tis a bone of substance for us to gnaw on and digest.

Disappointing, as usual, was the lack of praise from most of the media for the President's remarkably steady and inspiring speech, laying the war out for what it truly is, and the important goals ahead. Undeterred, and with absolutely clear vision and steadiness of purpose, it was as if the good Lord was behind his shoulder, whispering "Steady as she goes, son - - "

Yes indeed - the terrorists count upon the "peace at any price, so long as it doesn't cost me anything personally" element in our society to further their cause of hatred - the latter obviously has infected the Liberals around the world, spewing it, too, with venom directed 24/7 at President Bush.

We see a fight to the last man stand against evil - they want a "Don't disturb my comfortable life" utopia, not understanding how close to extinction they really are, should Evil visit their corner of paradise.

They envision a perfectly civil war with no casualties....I ask you to name a war that ever was "civil"???

Totally ignoring the hundreds of deaths on the battlefields of Southeast Asia every week during the Vietnam War, they pounce gleefully on the piling up statistics, claiming a parallel.
No war is without ugliness and casualties, unfortunately, and most of our brave men and women comprehend the importance of taking a stand lest Evil visit their back yards at home.

We shudder, imagining what America would be like under a President Kerry.

"All right, Marines - in Najaf, be civil when you try to bargain with al-Sadr, apologizing in advance for disturbing his men's tranquility."
"Be sure to say "Mother, may I?" to the French and Germans before you do anything, too - they might not like you otherwise. Okay - they already hate you, too, so just grin and bear it, guys..."

Glaringly absent from Kerry's campaign is a single clue as to an idea of any kind as to how he would actually conduct war or peace or help the economy! It is apparent he is full of tired cliches, and would fumble and stumble his way through every day in the Office.
Think Total Disaster for America.....

The contrast of the two men could not be greater.
George Bush was also born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and Kerry wields his with gusto (smeared with Heinz catsup) in Messychusetts.
Sir George wields instead his precious chain saw near Castle Crawford.

Kerry resembles a poster child for playboys (can you see him ever mowing a lawn in his life?), bears an unsmiling deadpan expression most of the time - and what's up with his high-priced stylist hairdo?!

Looks like the result of Bush's Shock and Awe speech to me..:))

[dutchess]

Hi Aeronaut. Had a great flight lesson yesterday. Love that right rudder (AND trim) :o)

[dutchess]

Has anyone yet figured out what Kerry and the Dems would do, should they find themselves in power and no Republicans to blame?

Last time they were in power they continued to blame "the Reagan years"....(15 years later)

...and I shudder to think of what it would be like with them in power again...

Thanks for your thoughtful insight.