Posted on 09/11/2006 6:36:59 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
Five years after the worst terror attack in U.S. history, President Bush said Monday night the war against terrorism is "the calling of our generation" and urged Americans to put aside differences and fight to victory.
"America did not ask for this war, and every American wishes it were over," Bush said. "The war is not over _ and it will not be over until either we or the extremists emerge victorious."
Bush, in a prime time address from the Oval Office, staunchly defended the war in Iraq even though he acknowledged that Saddam Hussein was not responsible for the 9/11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
He said Saddam's regime, while lacking weapons of mass destruction, was a clear threat that posed "a risk the world could not afford to take." At least 2,600 U.S. servicemen and women have died in Iraq.
"Whatever mistakes have been made in Iraq, the worst mistake would be to think that if we pulled out, the terrorists would leave us alone," the president said. "They will not leave us alone. They will follow us."
The address came at the end of a day in which Bush honored the memory of the attacks that rocked his presidency and thrust the United States into a costly and unfinished war against terror.
It was a day of mourning, remembrance and resolve. Before his address, Bush visited New York, Shanksville, Pa., and the Pentagon to place wreaths and console relatives of the victims.
"Five years ago, this date _ Sept. 11 _ was seared into America's memory," the president said. "Nineteen men attacked us with a barbarity unequaled in our history."
Bush said that Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the attack, and other terrorists are still in hiding. "Our message to them is clear: No matter how long it takes, America will find you and we will bring you to justice."
Bush said the war on terror was nothing less than "a struggle for civilization" and must be fought to the end. He said defeat would surrender the Middle East to radical dictators armed with nuclear weapons.
"We are fighting to maintain the way of life enjoyed by free nations," the president said. Two months before the November elections, he attempted to spell out in graphic terms the stakes he sees in the unpopular war in Iraq and the broader war on terror.
He said Islamic radicals are trying to build an empire "where women are prisoners in their homes, men are beaten for missing prayer meetings and terrorists have a safe haven to plan and launch attacks on America and other civilized nations."
"The war against this enemy is more than a military conflict," the president said. "It is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century and the calling of our generation
He is exactly right. If we pull out now these people will be harassing our grandchildren, they will never stop. We have to make a stand and that stand is now. Anyone who cant see that has to be mentally ill.
But then how will (D)s win public office?
Bush, in a prime time address from the Oval Office, staunchly defended the war in Iraq even though he acknowledged that Saddam Hussein was not responsible for the 9/11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
"even though"?
Bush never said he was in the first place. The War Powers Resolution voted on by Congress makes no such accusation. The notion of Saddam Hussein having been responsible for the 9/11 attacks was not a part of the justification for the war. So why on earth put the phrase "even though" in this sentence?
Believe it or not, this battle is about more than America.
Certainly, the US is doing an outstanding job leading the fight, but every civilised Western nation in in this fight for our very survival.
The more the merrier. It's time for all civilized nations to stand up or STFU.
I think you'd have to say we Aussies are standing up...
So, we're going to do something about Iran?
Indeed!!
No time like the present. I think Almedinajab is visiting in Cuba with his buddies Chavez and Castro.
Why dont you say what you mean?
In order to put aside differences, the dems are going to have to put aside cheering for the terrorists in hopes that will deal Bush/Republican a political defeat.
In order to put aside differences, Liberals will have to admit that diplomacy and bribes are not going to stop the terrorists' from scalping our heads and hijacking our planes.
I like what he said in these quotations, but I don't believe the libs (with a few exceptions) have the maturity to do the right thing selflessly. If they can even distinguish between wrong and right anymore in their moral relativist world.
Very much agreed with every word of Bush's speech. And once again he reaches across the aisle and asks for unity and support to win the war. His hand will be slapped away and his words will be thrown back in his face as always by the liberals and media and anti-war radicals, but the guy keeps on trying. If anything, this makes Bush look even more like the bigger man, because he constantly tries to get the Democrats on board, and they keep refusing, picking the Democrat party over America, every time. So it seems like the Democrats have decided it will either be a Democrat led America, or no America at all. Okay. Sobeit. There are the terrorist enemies outside the nation, and the Democrat enemies within the nation. If that's how the liberals want it, then that's how we should give it to them.
Indeed, and I, for one, admire you for it.
And what a terrific leader you have in Howard!
"I think you'd have to say we Aussies are standing up..."
You are and it's much appreciated!
Certainly, the US is doing an outstanding job leading the fight, but every civilised Western nation in in this fight for our very survival.
Australia is doing it's part and more. God bless the USA, Great Britain, and Australia.
My new tagline. Thanx
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