"W"'s 9/11 Speech

President Bush delivered an excellent speech to the nation at the five year anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. I thought he did an excellent job of reminding the nation as to who are enemy really is and what their mission is. He also made a powerful case for continuing to fight back in this war against the radical Islamo Fascist terrorists. He also re-enforced the necessity we had to invade Iraq and topple Saddam Hussein who was definatly a threat to us, as our Congress, the UN and our allies also recognized. And our need to stay the course there

You can find the transcript to the speech here. Here are some of the highlights:


"Since the horror of 9/11, we have learned a great deal about the enemy. We have learned that they are evil and kill without mercy - but not without purpose. We have learned that they form a global network of extremists who are driven by a perverted vision of Islam - a totalitarian ideology that hates freedom, rejects tolerance and despises all dissent. And we have learned that their goal is to build a radical Islamic empire where women are prisoners in their homes, men are beaten for missing prayer meetings, and terrorists have a safe haven to plan and launch attacks on America and other civilized nations. The war against this enemy is more than a military conflict. It is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century, and the calling of our generation."


"We face an enemy determined to bring death and suffering into our homes. America did not ask for this war, and every American wishes it were over. So do I. But the war is not over - and it will not be over until either we or the extremists emerge victorious. If we do not defeat these enemies now, we will leave our children to face a Middle East overrun by terrorist states and radical dictators armed with nuclear weapons. We are in a war that will set the course for this new century - and determine the destiny of millions across the world."

"For America, 9/11 was more than a tragedy - it changed the way we look at the world. On September the 11th, we resolved that we would go on the offense against our enemies - and we would not distinguish between the terrorists and those who harbor or support them. So we helped drive the Taliban from power in Afghanistan. We put al-Qaida on the run, and killed or captured most of those who planned the 9/11 attacks - including the man believed to be the mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. He and other suspected terrorists have been questioned by the Central Intelligence Agency - and they have provided valuable information that has helped stop attacks in America and across the world. Now these men have been transferred to Guantanamo Bay, so they can be held to account for their actions. Osama bin Laden and other terrorists are still in hiding. Our message to them is clear: No matter how long it takes, America will find you, and we will bring you to justice."

"On September the 11th, we learned that America must confront threats before they reach our shores - whether those threats come from terrorist networks or terrorist states. I am often asked why we are in Iraq when Saddam Hussein was not responsible for the 9/11 attacks. The answer is that the regime of Saddam Hussein was a clear threat. My administration, the Congress and the United Nations saw the threat - and after 9/11, Saddam's regime posed a risk that the world could not afford to take. The world is safer because Saddam Hussein is no longer in power. And now the challenge is to help the Iraqi people build a democracy that fulfills the dreams of the nearly 12 million Iraqis who came out to vote in free elections last December."

"We are training Iraqi troops so they can defend their nation. We are helping Iraq's unity government grow in strength and serve its people. We will not leave until this work is done. Whatever mistakes have been made in Iraq, the worst mistake would be to think that if we pulled out, the terrorists would leave us alone. They will not leave us alone. They will follow us. The safety of America depends on the outcome of the battle in the streets of Baghdad. Osama bin Laden calls this fight "the third world war" - and he says that victory for the terrorists in Iraq will mean America's "defeat and disgrace forever."

"If we yield Iraq to men like Bin Laden, our enemies will be emboldened ... they will gain a new safe haven ... and they will use Iraq's resources to fuel their extremist movement. We will not allow this to happen. America will stay in the fight. Iraq will be a free nation, and a strong ally in the war on terror."

"Five years after 9/11, our enemies have not succeeded in launching another attack on our soil - but they have not been idle. Al-Qaida and those inspired by its hateful ideology have carried out terrorist attacks in more than two dozen nations. And just last month, they were foiled in a plot to blow up passenger planes headed for the United States. They remain determined to attack America and kill our citizens - and we are determined to stop them."

"In the first days after the 9/11 attacks, I promised to use every element of national power to fight the terrorists wherever we find them. One of the strongest weapons in our arsenal is the power of freedom. The terrorists fear freedom as much as they do our firepower. They are thrown into panic at the sight of an old man pulling the election lever, of girls enrolling in school or families worshipping God in their own traditions. They know that given a choice, people will choose freedom over their extremist ideology. So their answer is to deny people this choice by raging against the forces of freedom and moderation. This struggle has been called a clash of civilizations. In truth, it is a struggle for civilization."

"At the start of this young century, America looks to the day when the people of the Middle East leave the desert of despotism for the fertile gardens of liberty - and resume their rightful place in a world of peace and prosperity. We look to the day when the nations of that region recognize that their greatest resource is not the oil in the ground - but the talent and creativity of their people. We look to the day when moms and dads throughout the Middle East see a future of hope and opportunity for their children. And when that good day comes, the clouds of war will part the appeal of radicalism will decline ... and we will leave our children with a better and safer world. On this solemn anniversary, we rededicate ourselves to this cause. Our nation has endured trials - and we face a difficult road ahead. Winning this war will require the determined efforts of a unified country. And we must put aside our differences, and work together to meet the test that history has given us. We will defeat our enemies we will protect our people ... and we will lead the 21st century into a shining age of human liberty."

"Dangerous enemies have declared their intention to destroy our way of life. They are not the first to try - and their fate will be the same as those who tried before - 9/11 showed us why. The attacks were meant to bring us to our knees, and they did - but not in the way the terrorists intended. Americans united in prayer ... came to the aid of neighbors in need ... and resolved that our enemies would not have the last word. The spirit of our people is the source of America's strength. And we go forward with trust in that spirit, confidence in our purpose - and faith in a loving God who made us to be free.

Thank you, and may God bless you."

Of course the Democrats began their usual whining, making ludicrous claims that Bush just used the anniversary of 9/11 to deliver a partisan speech. I don't agree. He remembered 9/11 and reminded us what we have done about it since it happened. And laid out for us the way ahead if we are to win. He also responded to some notions from the left out there, such as:

"If we just leave (read cut and run), Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda, and the rest of the radical Islamist terrorists will leave us alone".

"We need to redeploy (read cut and run) our troops from the quagmire that the Iraq occupation has become."

It's amazing. The democrats have done nothing but criticize Bush all along, and yet when he responds to some of their suggestions, he is "using 9/11 speech for partisan purposes.

It's amazing.

Whatcha bet, had Bush merely focused his speech on the events of 9/11 and what a tragedy it was, the Democrats would have been questioning his validity as Commander in Chief for not laying out what we have done about 9/11 and what his plan for defeating them is?

This just further gives the voters something to think about before they cast their vote for the "Party of Permanent Colic", the Democrats.

I, for one would vote the Democratic Ticket if they were to discard the liberal/leftist ideology they have embraced for most of the last century, and adopt conservatism. Then I would have an alternative to the Republican Party.
As it stand now, I will have to continue voting Republican, the less of two political evils.