A text of President Bush's speech to the United Nations

the White House

[antivenom]

Thanks...printing and hanging on company bulletin board...

[DB]

I thought it was an excellent speech.

No BS. Told it like it is.

[LarryM]

A very wimpy speech.

[steveegg]

Thanks, michigander for the quick find.

Partial ping based on the (forgive me if you've already been pinged).

[michigander]

Need to test out that new flame proof suit? ;-)

[Ranger]

A tremendous speech. Members of the UN and particularly the Security Council cannot ignore it. He basically is telling the Security Counsil to do its job or become irrelevant.

[cubreporter]

Very strong speech. The speech of a determined and focused leader.

[steveegg]

Preview, preview preview <VBG>

It should have read:

Partial ping based on the "live" thread....

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

A very wimpy speech.

I doan theen so!

Bill Clinton could never had delivered this speech.

This "near" Churchillian presentation by Bush has forever rendered Clinton's speech-making ability to that of an oratory midget!!

[stylin_geek]

Note this last line.

"By heritage and by choice, the United States of America will make that stand. Delegates to the United Nations, you have the power to make that stand as well."

I think this is diplomatic speak for "You are either with us, or against us, either way, we are going after Saddam Hussein."

[steveegg]

Further pinging (just in case you missed Michigander's post to the "live" thread, he also created this one).

[zarf]

Oh I'm sorry, we haven't launched our nukes yet?

[GVnana]

Bush shamed them. And the UN deserved every bit of it. I think he drop kicked that ball right over their heads--bypassed them. It's up to the UN to catch it.

[Dog]

ping!

[onedoug]

Hard to shame those with no values. Though as he essentially stated, they're either on board, or they'll be bypassed. He's the leader.

[RAY]

Seems clear to me. Let' roll!

[Fzob]

I think this is diplomatic speak for "You are either with us, or against us, either way, we are going after Saddam Hussein."

I agree. That was the point of the whole speech. In essense he is saying the USA will do whatever it takes, so pick a side now, because 2,3,5 years down the road it is going to make a difference.

[William McKinley]

Doing some selective cutting and pasting...

Will the United Nations serve the purpose of its founding or will it be irrelevant? ...

And a regime that has lost its legitimacy will also lose its power. ...

We must choose between a world of fear and a world of progress. We cannot stand by and do nothing while dangers gather. We must stand up for our security, and for the permanent rights and hopes of mankind. By heritage and by choice, the United States of America will make that stand. Delegates to the United Nations, you have the power to make that stand as well.

My read: his words were aimed at multiple targets. The UN- you will lose your legitimacy if you don't act. You have the power to act. If you don't act, you will lose your legitimacy and your power.

But with you or without you, we will act.

Iraq: you have lost your legitimacy, and you will lose your power.

Because we are going to act.

And Daschle: we will act. You dared me to make my case, and I have made it. If you stonewall, you will lose your legitimacy if you haven't already. And the voters will handle removing you from power.

[GVnana]

He's the leader.

An American president, once again the leader of the free world. Feels good. We're better off.