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Freedom’s Cause
By Matt Margolis | September 7, 2003
President Bush spoke to our country tonight. Recalling the beginning of the War on Terror, nearly two ago, Bush said, “These months have been a time of new responsibilities, and sacrifice, and national resolve and great progress.”
From Afghanistan to Iraq, we continue this lengthy war. As Bush laid out the details of our progress, you couldn’t help but think, “We’ve accomplished so much.”
As great as our accomplishments have been thus far; we still have work to do. The main front of the War on Terror is now in Iraq, but progress is being made all over. In Afghanistan, Bush told us “nearly two-thirds of al Qaeda’s known leaders have been captured or killed,” and “We have exposed terrorist front groups, seized terrorist accounts, taken new measures to protect our homeland, and uncovered sleeper cells inside the United States.”
Progress occurs in Iraq as well. When the United States chose to enforce the demands of the United Nations Security Council, we launched “one of the swiftest and most humane military campaigns in history.” A nation is free, and we’re even safer from terrorism today, thanks to the steadfastness of George W. Bush.
Bush said that “The Middle East will either become a place of progress and peace, or it will be an exporter of violence and terror that takes more lives in America and in other free nations.” Bush understands that the presence of a stable democracy in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, weakens the core of international terrorism. “Everywhere that freedom takes hold,” Bush said, “terror will retreat.”
This is why we’ve seen a desperate, but organized few, attempting to hijack the progress made in Iraq. While media reports would make us believe the attacks we’ve endure have been all over, Bush explained they’ve been focused mainly in one area of the country, “between Baghdad and Tikrit — Saddam Hussein’s former stronghold.” The north and south regions are generally stable, and continue progressing with reconstruction and self-government.
Separating the hawks and the doves, Bush clearly stated the difference between himself and the Democratic presidential candidates who want us to run away from Iraq, “The terrorists have a strategic goal. They want us to leave Iraq before our work is done… In the past, the terrorists have cited the examples of Beirut and Somalia, claiming that if you inflict harm on Americans, we will run from a challenge. In this, they are mistaken.”
Bill Clinton ran from these challenges. His presidency will forever be stained with his poor decisions of inaction against terrorism, and dovish responses to attacks against our country. Clinton looked the other way at the sight of terrorism. George W. Bush has stared terrorism straight in the eye, demonstrating his resolve, and the threat of terrorism against us has diminished - not obliterated yet, but weakened. We have achieved great progress in making our country more secure.
Bush then laid out the three objectives of our strategy in Iraq: (1) destroying the terrorists, (2) enlisting the support of other nations for a free Iraq and (3) helping Iraqis assume responsibility for their own defense and their own future.
(1) Bush gave us some details on how we are combating terrorism in Iraq…from precise strikes against enemy targets, to a series of raids. To date, we’ve captured or killed 42 of the 55 most wanted former Iraqi leaders…” We are sending a clear message,” Bush said, “anyone who seeks to harm our soldiers can know that our soldiers are hunting for them.”
(2) Bush assured us that we had an appropriate number of troops in Iraq to complete our mission. A multilateral force currently occupies Iraqi, “over 20,000 service members from 29 other countries” join our troops in Iraq, helping to stabilize the formerly oppressed country. “Members of the United Nations now have an opportunity — and the responsibility — to assume a broader role in assuring that Iraq becomes a free and democratic nation.”
(3) Bush told us of the progress being made in getting the Iraqi people ready to run the country on their own. “Our coalition came to Iraq as liberators and we will depart as liberator,” Bush assured. “Iraq is ready to take the next steps toward self-government. The Security Council resolution we introduce will encourage Iraq’s Governing Council to submit a plan and a timetable for the drafting of a constitution and for free elections.”
This is impressive progress. To solidify our commitment to continuing this progress, Bush said he would soon submit to Congress a request for $87 billion. Other countries who stand to benefit from the reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq will be expected to contribute to this effort financially as well.
Times will be forever different. Bush noted, “there will be no going back to the era before September the 11th, 2001 — to false comfort in a dangerous world.” However, while many out there may hate us, they’ll be less prone to attack us like they did two years ago. “We have learned that terrorist attacks are not caused by the use of strength; they are invited by the perception of weakness,” Bush said, “and the surest way to avoid attacks on our own people is to engage the enemy where he lives and plans. We are fighting that enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan today so that we do not meet him again on our own streets, in our own cities.”
This is going to be our policy on terrorism as long as George W. Bush is our Commander-In-Chief. Former President Bill Clinton’s policy on terrorism proved devastating for America. The line that resonates the most with me was when Bush said “terrorist attacks are not caused by the use of strength; they are invited by the perception of weakness.”
Bush was absolutely correct. From the beginning of Clinton’s presidency, attacks against our country we not avenged. The Americans who lost their lives as a result of terrorism during the Clinton Administration did not have their deaths avenged until George W. Bush waged the War on Terrorism. We’ve won many battles since then, but the war still goes on. President Bush will seek victory to the end.
Before ending his speech, Bush paid homage to our Armed Forces and our intelligence services. Those who have fallen will always be remembered – those who continue fighting, we pray for. We are grateful for the job continued by them, and for the sacrifice made by many who won’t get to see the results of their efforts.
“We are serving in freedom’s cause,” Bush said, “and that is the cause of all mankind.”
Topics: The Right Idea |
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