Posted on 01/06/2006 5:51:07 PM PST by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2006 – Vice President Dick Cheney today praised U.S. servicemembers and vowed victory in the war against terror, calling the global conflict a struggle between civil societies and barbarism.
"The war on terror is a battle for the future of civilization," Cheney told servicemembers gathered at the U.S. Army's Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
"It's a battle worth fighting. It's a battle we are going to win," he said.
Cheney recalled his pre-Christmas trips to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he thanked deployed U.S. servicemembers "for all they've done to bring freedom, stability and peace to a troubled part of the world."
Military members have impressed senior leaders through their skill, professionalism and dedication to duty during often difficult, dangerous conditions, Cheney said.
Four years ago, U.S. and coalition troops in Afghanistan triumphed over a brutal Taliban regime "that harbored terrorists and plotted murder for export," Cheney said. There's still fighting in Afghanistan, he acknowledged, but headway continues to be made.
"Afghanistan is a rising nation with a democratically elected government, a market economy, equality for women, and millions of children going to school for the very first time," Cheney said. "It is impossible to overstate all that our coalition has achieved in Afghanistan. And when our forces return home from that part of the world, they can be proud of their service for the rest of their lives."
Similar good news emanates from Iraq, Cheney said, where Iraqis, too, have voted for a democratic government and have chosen the path of peace and freedom over the tyranny, chaos and terror employed by the defunct regime of former dictator Saddam Hussein.
"Our strategy in Iraq is clear, our tactics will remain flexible, and we'll work at the job until we finish it," Cheney said. Progress in Iraq hasn't come easily, he said, but it is steadily being achieved.
"By voting in free elections," Cheney said, "by ratifying a constitution, by electing a government last month, Iraqis have shown they value their own liberty and are determined to choose their own destiny."
The plan, Cheney said, is to continue to transfer more and more responsibility to the Iraqis as their capabilities and conditions permit.
Cheney also addressed prominent American voices that say the Iraq conflict is a lost cause and call for an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops.
"Some have suggested the war is not winnable," Cheney said. "A few seem almost eager to conclude that the struggle was already lost.
"But they are wrong. The only way to lose this fight is to quit - and that is not an option."
There'll be more fighting against terrorists in Iraq and elsewhere, Cheney said, noting, "They are enemies who have declared an intention to bring great harm to any nation that opposes their aims."
Cheney acknowledged that the victories over the terrorists haven't come without a price.
"We care about those who have returned with injuries and who face a hard road ahead," he said. "And our nation grieves for the brave men and women whose lives have ended in freedom's cause."
The sacrifices made by U.S. servicemembers haven't been made in vain, Cheney said.
"We can only say, with complete certainty, that these Americans served in a noble and necessary cause," Cheney said, "and their sacrifice has made our nation and the world more secure.
"We will honor their memory forever," he said.
VP Cheney calls 'em as he sees 'em!!!
It's good to finally see the administration on the offensive.
The enemy would agree.
Any self-respecting culture would shun those who fight as cowards, dressed as women, hiding under rocks, using children for protection.... Wow, what bravery!
It is a war between civilization and syphilisation..
"The war on terror is a battle for the future of civilization," Cheney told servicemembers gathered at the U.S. Army's Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
"It's a battle worth fighting. It's a battle we are going to win," he said.
It's a battle we CANNOT afford to lose!!!
FNA.
Beloved [No Longer Free State] attended this, I will ask that he add some thoughts from the speech.
He may be able to do a vanity of the event as well.
Cool!!!
I agree. So why do we continue to let them emigrate to our country....and now there are millions of them here?
Civilization and barbarism. Sound familiar?
OK, here's what the AP leaves out.
Rep Moran was there (at least that's what LTG Petraeus said in his introductory remarks - or maybe Cheney said it in his). I couldn't see the congressional delegation from where I was sitting.
Frankly, I found it hard to believe Moran could have the gall to show up after his shameful appearance in Murtha's town hall meeting yesterday.
Until Cheney made some of his remarks. "Big Time's" biggest applause lines came with the 'we ARE winning', 'Americans won't surrender even if some have lost their will, but our troops never will' lines. It almost seemed like he winked at Moran as we went crazy.
The AP reporter conveniently leaves out that Cheney reminded the crowd that in his first post-9/11 State of the Union Address the President strongly proclaimed we would do everything required to defeat terrorists, including "use every tool of intelligence" (direct quote). He went on to vigorously defend the overseas signals monitoring the democrats insist on calling "domestic surveillance". He used simple sentences and short words so even the press bandits present couldn't misunderstand. Instead, they apparently chose to ignore it.
He also made the same joke he made at the Harley Davidson tour earlier in the day about why he was using a cane to get around today: "Secretary Rumsfeld bit me on the ankle...but don't tell him I told you."
A good time was had by all except the one guy in our unit who has drunk from the it's-all-the-neocons'-fault kool-aid. He was miserable the whole time. The rest of us had a blast once the Veep began talking.
Sorry, was an American Forces Press Service guy who wrote this, not the AP. I'm guessing that's why he left out the political angle.
His remarks are at Cheney Calls Terror War 'Struggle Between Civil Societies, Barbarism' ---- comment 14
Bump!
Thanks for the ping.
A very good report by your husband, FMC!
Thanks for the ping, FMC.
The thing the Left hates most is that the majority of the people in this country respond to the speeches made by the president and v.p. exactly as did the majority of those in attendance at Ft Leavenworth.
I really love this man. I've followed his career since the 60's, and my admiration for him has only grown through the years. I had chosen him for v.p. before I knew that GWB had chosen him!
Thanks for the post,SR, and the first hand info,NLFS.
p.s. Dems drink gall for breakfast!
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