Posted on 05/15/2008 8:12:38 PM PDT by Dawnsblood
The cynics among us will say that words don't mean much, that talk is cheap, and that the lofty rhetoric US President George W. Bush employed on our behalf in the Knesset Thursday will be forgotten tomorrow.
Sometimes, when you're knee-deep in the day-to-day, when you're just struggling to get by, when you're facing forces that seem so much bigger than you, there is a need for someone from the outside - someone bigger and more powerful - to come by, pat you on the back, tell you that you are not alone, and remind you both of your inherent worth and that it is all inherently worth it.
That is what the Bush did Thursday in the Knesset.
Centuries of suffering and sacrifice were to pass before the dream of a Jewish state was fulfilled, Bush reminded us. "The Jewish people endured the agony of the pogroms, the tragedy of the Great War, and the horror of the Holocaust - what Elie Wiesel called 'the kingdom of the night.' Soulless men took away lives and broke apart families. Yet they could not take away the spirit of the Jewish people, and they could not break the promise of God."
Were that Israel's own leaders would speak in similar terms; were that Israel would believe as much in itself.
"Yet in spite of the violence, in defiance of the threats, Israel has built a thriving democracy in the heart of the Holy Land," the US president said, reminding us of our not insignificant accomplishments. "You have welcomed immigrants from the four corners of the Earth. You have forged a free and modern society based on a love of liberty, a passion for justice, and a respect for human dignity. You have worked tirelessly for peace. And you have fought valiantly for freedom."
We know all that, and over the last few weeks our own leaders - from President Shimon Peres to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi - have taken the opportunity of the 60th anniversary to remind us. But, oddly, it somehow sounds more honest when it comes from an outsider, more genuine from somebody who doesn't have to say it.
When, during our current bout of self-doubt and fear, was the last time an Israeli leader stood up and with a conviction that made you believe he meant it, not that he was just mouthing tired phrases, said - as Bush did Thursday - "Masada shall never fall again."
And then, even more importantly, Bush added, "Citizens of Israel: Masada shall never fall again, and America will always stand with you."
Words? Maybe. But they are important words, because if ever this country is again to take another calculated risk for peace, it will have to know that the US stands completely behind it.
Words? Maybe. But if ever the Arab world will ever come around to accepting Israel's existence, it will have to know that it cannot drive a wedge between Jerusalem and Washington.
The speech, at parts elegantly phrased, also echoed sentiments many of us feel, but rarely hear aired outside the shtetl.
Bush said not to be swayed by popularity polls or the capricious opinion of "international elites."
He said that we deserve a normal life just like everyone else in the world; that the UN has treated us shabbily; that those who openly ask whether Israel has a right to exist are anti-Semites, and that those who excuse this sentiment are little better.
He said we have the right to protect ourselves and - of course - that we don't have to negotiate with those who want to destroy us. He took on, without mentioning them by name, the Jimmy Carters and Walts and Mearscheimers of the world who say that if the US would just break with Israel, all its Middle East problems would vanish.
"This is a tired argument that buys into the propaganda of our enemies, and America rejects it utterly," Bush said, setting up what at first sounded somewhat corny, but on second blush was the most back-stiffening line of the speech. "Israel's population may be just over seven million. But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307 million strong, because America stands with you."
By referring to an unnamed senator silly enough in 1939 to have thought he could have talked Hitler out of invading Poland and starting World War II, Bush also flicked a stinging jab at Democratic presidential hopeful Barrack Obama, who wants to talk to Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "We have an obligation to call this what it is: the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history," Bush said.
Many of us know all that intuitively, and indeed talk about it weekly around the Shabbat table. But it's one thing for us to say it, and another for it to be uttered by the world's most powerful individual, especially when he didn't have to say it.
Remember, Bush didn't have to utter these thoughts: his political carrier is over, he no longer needs the Jewish vote or campaign support - further proof he actually meant what he said.
And then, even more importantly, Bush added, “Citizens of Israel: Masada shall never fall again, and America will always stand with you.”
::::::
Only until the time we suffer the tragedy of a Marxist in the White House — then Israel will have to fight for its existence on its own. Just ask Jimmah “Hamas” Carter, for example.
Nothing hurts like the truth >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>veg<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
“Only until the time we suffer the tragedy of a Marxist in the White House”
Marxists come and go.
The promise of God to Israel remains.
The eyes of Israel’s leaders are not turned to the US though dawnsblood, they are turned to re-approachment with Europe.
Sad but it is what it is.
bump
So true!
I don’t understand why the ‘RAT girlymen have their panties in a wad over this. President Bush never mentioned Obama’s name. It was one of those “If the shoe fits” things. Unless Bari plans on bending over for the bad guys, this shouldn’t bother him.
If you are interested in “why” the Left was so upset about McCain’s acceptance of John Haggee’s endorsement, this is a link to his speech at AIPAC in 2006 or so:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDRxmqOn7x4
The interesting thing is that the lady who is filming and commenting on his speech also said that same thing about “Why don’t Jewish leaders speak this way”.
With Obamao an obvious enemy towards Israel, this speech is a bit more pertinent to your original question Dawnsblood.
Bush can say whatever he wants about calculated risks, but I note there is only one nation in the direct vacinity of Israel that he asks to take calculated risks?
Palestinians? Nope
Syria? Nope
Lebanon? Nope
Jordan? Nope
Egypt? Nope
It’s Israel’s neck that is put on the chopping block as the Palestinians are given a long knife and asked not to use it.
This President has been a disgrace as he has flittered to one thing he wanted Israel to give up to the next.
What have the Palestinians been asked to give up? When have they given it up?
Enough of the calculated risks. Just stop it President Bush! Take your pet Condi and go home.
Because it’s so damaging! It proves just how empty Obama’s mantra of “change” really is. All talk can do, on the international scope, is maintain the status quo. For real change, you have to back up your words with actions. Obama’s people realize this. If it ever gets outs that Obama stands for “no change”, then the bright and happy facade of his campaign will come crashing down and all that will remain are his dangerous and communist policies. And let’s not forget this biggie: Obama supports post-birth abortions aka infanticide.
I agree with everything you said. Right now, I see Bari Hussein as being another “Goodtime Charlie” just as “Slick Willie” was. He and his toadies in the MSM will tell us how wonderful things are here in America while his administration is screwing us over and the Islamofascists are planning their next attack on America.
Amen Brother
Praying that this continues to be so. I don't have a lot of faith in the current crop of presidential wannabees on this issue. :-(
Should be repeated over and over again. Whatever it's faults Israel is the only real democracy in the Middle East. The others are all under the control of religious fanatics or military dictators. Happy Birthday Israel.
Ping
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