After addressing the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention in Salt Lake City, President Bush chats with troops from the Utah National Guard on Aug. 22. Photo by Paul Morse
Posted on 08/22/2005 9:16:05 PM PDT by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2005 – U.S. servicemembers are fighting and sacrificing in Iraq because that country "is a central front in the war on terror," President Bush told Veterans of Foreign War members gathered in Salt Lake City today.
Terrorists want to "establish Taliban-like regimes" in Iraq and other troubled areas of the Middle East, Bush explained to VFW members at their annual convention, in order to "turn that region into a launching pad for more attacks" against America and its allies.
Yet, "in all their objectives" the terrorists "will fail," the president vowed.
The overriding lesson provided by the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States is "we must confront threats before they fully materialize," Bush asserted, noting that "a policy of retreat and isolation" cannot protect Americans from terrorists' violence.
Therefore, "the only way to defend our citizens where we live," Bush maintained, "is to go after the terrorists where they live."
Bush saluted today's generation of U.S. servicemembers, who, in defending America and confronting terrorism across the globe, are fighting "the first war of the 21st century."
And the only acceptable outcome for the war is "total victory" over the terrorists, Bush said.
Terrorists want to transform Iraq "into what Afghanistan was under the Taliban," he noted.
And terrorists want to stop the spread of democracy in Iraq, "because they know a free Iraq will deal a decisive blow to their strategy to achieve absolute power," Bush said.
Iraqis had experienced three decades of dictatorship under Saddam Hussein, the president pointed out, noting, "They will not allow a new set of would-be tyrants to take control of their future."
Bush said more than 8 million Iraqis voted in recent democratic elections. And despite ongoing insurgent violence, the Iraqis "are building a nation that secures freedom for its citizens and contributes to peace and stability in that region," the president said.
The finished draft of a democratic national constitution will represent "a landmark event in the history of Iraq and the history of the Middle East," he said.
Crafting a constitution is an arduous process that involves "debate and compromise," he noted, pointing out that the U.S. constitution wasn't easily written and adopted.
As Iraqis continue to take on more responsibility for managing the day-to-day affairs of their nation, the U.S. and its allies will "help them to take responsibility for their own security," Bush said. American and Iraqi troops are serving side by side and "working to defeat the terrorists together."
As Iraqis gain more experience in fighting the insurgency, then American troops will stand down, Bush noted. Then, "our troops will come home with the honor they have earned," he said.
The 1.8-million-member VFW was founded in 1899 and works on behalf of all military veterans and their families.
After addressing the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention in Salt Lake City, President Bush chats with troops from the Utah National Guard on Aug. 22. Photo by Paul Morse
Wow...he has really gotten gray since 2000. God bless him though! Great man and great leader...
p.s. Please work on those communication skills, W. Try to immitate Reagan as the Great Communicator!
I like that, "fighting in THE FIRST WAR of the twentyfirst century". No doubt but that the 21st will outdo even the 20th for armed conflict. I suggest target practice at least three times a week so as to be sharp when it hits the fan here.
Amen.
Let the MSM, the retread hippies, Hollywood and RINO's hear this loud and clear. YOU DON'T SPEAK FOR AMERICA! Terrorists that believe they do will learn the Truth at the hands of our brave men and women taking them down one by one.
Somehow I cannot picture Al Gore in this photo. No matter how hard I try!
It would be spiffy if "total victory" were defined in a way that was achievable.
Sure, a free country in the Middle east allowing its people a voice in its own government absent opression from a butcher dictator able to defend their own is a pipe dream.
Except it's not. It's currently occuring with free elections and construct of a Constitution.
People more concerned with improving their own government to improve their standard of life instead of joining terrorist camps is impossible. yet, it's not. The terrorists are complaining about their inability to recruit numbers they hoped for, the people in the M.E. are not rising up and the Iraqi people are joining security forces to push these terrorists out of their country.
Please understand, I don't give a damn about any opinion that contends otherwise falsely. I'm humoring your comment, nothing more, nothing less. :-)
While you look for Thomas Jefferson in a turban in Iraq, how about keeping an eye out for Osama Bin Laden. I'm sure you've heard of him. Remember he's the one that attacked NYC/Boston/Washington DC. I'd include him in any definition of victory, but he isn't mentioned by the President anymore.
While you look for Thomas Jefferson in a turban in Iraq, how about keeping an eye out for Osama Bin Laden. I'm sure you've heard of him. Remember he's the one that attacked NYC/Boston/Washington DC. I'd include him in any definition of victory, but he isn't mentioned by the President anymore.
We are winning, and here is the latest sign....
Zarqawi Network Claims Jordanian Attack ~~ Attackers set Timers and RAN~~ where are the Martyrs?
and the referenced news article:
Would also help to define terrorist as distinct from Sunnis who do not want to be cut out of oil or subject to Islam law.
(Yes - I mean the ones who have actually attacked us...)
Take that, Cindy!
Add to that reports this morning that Jordan had caught a number of the DING-a-LINGs and their Clapper Leader.
Yep! Ain't that photo just grand?!
BTW wonder when someone is going to slap the lot of em at Camp CRAZEY with federal charges under this provision?
U.S. Code
TITLE 18
PART I
CHAPTER 115
§ 2388. Activities affecting armed forces during war
(a) Whoever, when the United States is at war, willfully makes or conveys false reports or false statements with intent to interfere with the operation or success of the military or naval forces of the United States or to promote the success of its enemies; or
Whoever, when the United States is at war, willfully causes or attempts to cause insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty, in the military or naval forces of the United States, or willfully obstructs the recruiting or enlistment service of the United States, to the injury of the service or the United States, or attempts to do so -
Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.
(b) If two or more persons conspire to violate subsection (a) of this section and one or more such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each of the parties to such conspiracy shall be punished as provided in said subsection (a).
(c) Whoever harbors or conceals any person who he knows, or has reasonable grounds to believe or suspect, has committed, or is about to commit, an offense under this section, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
(d) This section shall apply within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States, and on the high seas, as well as within the United States.
The Dark Frontier ~~ Resurgance of Marxists and Islamic Militants in South America ~ Belmont Club
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