Posted on 03/04/2002 1:47:10 PM PST by ATOMIC_PUNK
Bush: U.S. Will Defend Itself 'At Any Price'
— By Arshad Mohammed
MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - President Bush on Monday mourned the deaths of U.S. soldiers in the Afghan war but said the United States would defend itself "at any price."
Al Qaeda and Taliban forces shot down a large U.S. Army helicopter on Monday, killing seven U.S. soldiers, while an eighth died when he was apparently shot or fell from a second helicopter during a big offensive against al Qaeda and Taliban forces dug in high in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan.
"This nation will defend ourselves and freedom at any price," Bush told students at Eden Prairie High School during a one-day visit to Minnesota. "It is too precious a gift for future generations to give up to terrorists."
Bush launched his war on terrorism in Afghanistan five months ago, toppling the Taliban regime that harbored Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network, which the United States blames for the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington.
Aides said Bush was keeping close tabs on the action in Afghanistan, where U.S. and Afghan forces as well as soldiers from Western allies Australia, Denmark, France and Germany were attacking a pocket of regrouped al Qaeda and Taliban forces.
"There is some serious combat as I speak," Bush told the students. "I want to assure the students who are here and the loved ones of those military (who died) -- defending freedom is a noble cause and it is a just cause."
He added: "People say, well how long is this going to last? And the answer is, for however long it takes to make sure America is secure. People say, well the hard part is over with, and my answer is no it's not -- we're just beginning."
Speaking earlier to reporters, Bush said he was saddened by the deaths of the U.S. soldiers but determined to fight on. Speaking of bin Laden, he said: "He's on the run, if he's running at all."
"Any time somebody loses their life, the American people will mourn and are sad -- and I feel that way too," Bush said. "On the other hand, I am just as determined now as I was a week ago or three months ago to fulfill this mission and that is to make sure our country is safe."
Citing fierce resistance from al Qaeda and Taliban forces, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld earlier said a U.S. special forces MH-47 "Chinook" helicopter was downed by ground fire near Gardez in the icy mountains of eastern Afghanistan.
The eighth American soldier died when he apparently was shot or fell from a second helicopter that was under fire, Rumsfeld and Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a news briefing.
After visiting the school, where he talked up his plans to improve teacher training, Bush was to speak at a fund-raising event to collect about $2 million for his fellow Republicans, including Norm Coleman, who hopes to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone in November's congressional elections. fend Itself 'At Any Price'
They are trying to blame GWB here but where the war is successful, GWB will actually get credit. But the implication that OBL and Al Qaeda are not responsible, only blamed, for 9-11. ABC is still trying to get us to understand the reasons why the terrorist had to attack us. They are a disgrace
Exactly how much is our life worth?
We must continue to defend ourselves at any price or DIE!!
Do you hear that Tommy Dasshole?
Gore beat Bush by only 2% here.
It is almost like a lib seeing something that he can just as easily ignore but has to whine about and say he is offended.
Better dead than shackled.
Hey Daschle...wake up you political parasite: "WE"RE JUST BEGINING"
Interesting.
Karen and I are retiring. I asked her if she'd like to go back to MN?
Her response, "Why the hell would you want to live in MN? It's colder than the arctic in winter, and hotter than hell in summer. The mosquitos are so large that they've been named the state bird!"
Good thing I asked the question, eh?
Regards
There's no turning our backs, on this war on terrorism.
Afghanistan was first field of battle were American soldiers have died, but it won't be the last. We're in it until we win it!
There is a great post (around 3 pm today) about the Euros criticizing America/Euros lacking guts in getting involved in the war on terrorism.
I can just imagine the arguments now !!! HHH, what a crooked politician --- tg he never was elected pres.
Luckily I grew up in a family where hard work & self-sufficiency was preached. Realized a few years ago, that the schools in the tc area were way too ultra liberal for me. Moved "up north" to a much better place to live and have NEVER regretted one minute.
Jesse is way out there, his liberal tendencies sure seem to be coming out lately. I just hope we can get the arrogant jerk voted out of office along with wart-head wellstone. You take care !!!!
And, Bush did get 46% of the vote in MN compared to Gore's 48%. We're working on it!
Agreed. The Coast Guard needs a lot of recruits. There are 17m freight containers offloaded on our shores every year. You would be amazed at what's in a lot of those containers. The only reason I know is because I used to buy 16,000 tons of steel, much of it imported. I got to know the customs agents... their stories of their observations are unbelievable!
I understand that we need some border patrol help on the Mexican border too.
So many opportunities.
That's a good way to look at it.
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