« Howard Dean’s Angry Rage | Home | Isn’t It Ironic »
Response to the State of the Union
By Matt Margolis | January 23, 2004
President George W. Bush gave a great speech the other night. He was clear and prominent. I watched carefully as Bush reminded us of our country’s great responsibilities, such as fighting the war on terror, and making America more secure.
The beginning of his speech served somewhat as a quick summary of the upcoming bulk of his speech. Bush noted that “the American economy is growing stronger,” and that the tax relief passed by Congress is working. The Republican rose out of there seats to clap, while the other side of the aisle, stayed put. Ted Kennedy, who I’m embarrassed to say is one of my Senators, sat there shaking his head. Apparently he hasn’t seen the all the reports that show that the economy is indeed growing stronger.
Our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American people. Twenty-eight months have passed since September 11th, 2001 - over two years without an attack on American soil - and it is tempting to believe that the danger is behind us. That hope is understandable, comforting - and false.
I felt this was an important part of his speech. The war on terror has seen many victories, but the threat still exists. One of the little things I noticed at this point was when he said, “Inside the United States, where the war began, we must continue to give homeland security and law enforcement personnel every tool they need to defend us.”
Bush is right. People seem forget, the war began here. On September 11, 2001, everything changed. We were attacked. Today we have a duty fight back and to protect our country from the evildoers, and Bush appropriate chose this time to bring up an essential tool in our Homeland Security, the PATRIOT Act. Bush explained how it “allows Federal law enforcement to better share information, to track terrorists, to disrupt their cells, and to seize their assets.” In a defense of the criticism the PATRIOT Act received, Bush had this to say
For years, we have used similar provisions to catch embezzlers and drug traffickers. If these methods are good for hunting criminals, they are even more important for hunting terrorists.
But then said that several provisions of the PATRIOT Act are set to expire next year. After the Democrats stopped clapping, Bush told us that just because these provisions are expiring doesn’t mean the terrorist threat is expiring, and he called on Congress to renew the PATRIOT Act. Very effective indeed.
To those who have doubts about our successes in the war on terror, Bush spoke to them next:
Last March, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, a mastermind of September 11th, awoke to find himself in the custody of U.S. and Pakistani authorities. Last August 11th brought the capture of the terrorist Hambali, who was a key player in the attack in Indonesia that killed over 200 people. We are tracking al-Qaida around the world - and nearly two-thirds of their known leaders have now been captured or killed. Thousands of very skilled and determined military personnel are on a manhunt, going after the remaining killers who hide in cities and caves - and, one by one, we will bring the terrorists to justice.
Later, Bush reflected on the progress of Iraq since his last State of the Union:
Since we last met in this chamber, combat forces of the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Poland, and other countries enforced the demands of the United Nations, ended the rule of Saddam Hussein - and the people of Iraq are free. Having broken the Baathist regime, we face a remnant of violent Saddam supporters. Men who ran away from our troops in battle are now dispersed and attack from the shadows.
These killers, joined by foreign terrorists, are a serious, continuing danger. Yet we are making progress against them. The once all-powerful ruler of Iraq was found in a hole, and now sits in a prison cell. Of the top 55 officials of the former regime, we have captured or killed 45. Our forces are on the offensive, leading over 1,600 patrols a day, and conducting an average of 180 raids every week. We are dealing with these thugs in Iraq, just as surely as we dealt with Saddam Hussein’s evil regime.
Bush spoke of the attacks in Iraq, and he reinforced our resolve tot keep fighting for what is right:
They are trying to shake the will of our country and our friends - but the United States of America will never be intimidated by thugs and assassins. The killers will fail, and the Iraqi people will live in freedom.
Another great part of Bush’s speech is when he mentioned the latest success of the Bush Doctrine: Libya’s voluntary pledge to end their WMD programs.
Colonel Qadhafi correctly judged that his country would be better off, and far more secure, without weapons of mass murder. Nine months of intense negotiations involving the United States and Great Britain succeeded with Libya, while 12 years of diplomacy with Iraq did not. And one reason is clear: For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible - and no one can now doubt the word of America.
We all know what Bush was saying here. Action had to be taken against Saddam. We gave him 12 years and got no compliance, and Bush, a man of his word, did the right thing and now the word of America has meaning again.
I know that some people question if America is really in a war at all. They view terrorism more as a crime - a problem to be solved mainly with law enforcement and indictments. After the World Trade Center was first attacked in 1993, some of the guilty were indicted, tried, convicted, and sent to prison. But the matter was not settled. The terrorists were still training and plotting in other nations, and drawing up more ambitious plans. After the chaos and carnage of September 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers.
This sounds almost like a jab at the policies of the Clinton Administration, which left us extraordinarily vulnerable. The lack of action of the Clinton years will not be a mistake made by Bush Administration. You can count on it. Bush closed this part firmly and boldly, “The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States - and war is what they got.”
Bush spoke directly to the opponents of the war in Iraq,
…let us be candid about the consequences of leaving Saddam Hussein in power. We are seeking all the facts - already the Kay Report identified dozens of weapons of mass destruction-related program activities and significant amounts of equipment that Iraq concealed from the United Nations. Had we failed to act, the dictator’s weapons of mass destruction programs would continue to this day. Had we failed to act, Security Council resolutions on Iraq would have been revealed as empty threats, weakening the United Nations and encouraging defiance by dictators around the world. Iraq’s torture chambers would still be filled with victims - terrified and innocent. The killing fields of Iraq - where hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children vanished into the sands - would still be known only to the killers. For all who love freedom and peace, the world without Saddam Hussein’s regime is a better and safer place.
The Democrats didn’t like that…or Bush’s following remarks:
Some critics have said our duties in Iraq must be internationalized. This particular criticism is hard to explain to our partners in Britain, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Poland, Denmark, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, the Netherlands, Norway, El Salvador, and the 17 other countries that have committed troops to Iraq. As we debate at home, we must never ignore the vital contributions of our international partners, or dismiss their sacrifices.
That was something! I was laughing and cheering. Laughing at how stupid the Democrats must feel, and cheering at how great Bush stuck that in their faces. Bush went on further:
From the beginning, America has sought international support for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and we have gained much support. There is a difference, however, between leading a coalition of many nations, and submitting to the objections of a few. America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our people.
Bush has always done what he knew was right, despite “the objections of few” – the same “few” whom the Democrats think we should cater to. Our security is more important than appeasing our so-called allies.
The permission slip line was fantastic and it was one of those moments where I wish I could have been to shake Bush’s hand, and tell him “You tell ‘em George!”
Bush later outlined the successes of the tax cuts. Doubled child tax credit, reduced marriage penalty, the phasing out of the death tax, reduced taxes on capital gains and stock dividends, cut taxes on small businesses, and lowered incomes taxes… Thanks to these, we have a strong and growing economy.
Americans took those dollars and put them to work, driving this economy forward. The pace of economic growth in the third quarter of 2003 was the fastest in nearly 20 years. New home construction: the highest in almost 20 years. Home ownership rates: the highest ever. Manufacturing activity is increasing. Inflation is low. Interest rates are low. Exports are growing. Productivity is high. And jobs are on the rise.
And to stick to the anti-tax-cut Democrats:
These numbers confirm that the American people are using their money far better than government would have - and you were right to return it.
I personally have enjoyed having more of my money in my own pocket. I helped pump that money back into the economy and low and behold, the economy got better. I did my part, so did all the recipients of their tax cut.
However, we need to make the tax cuts permanent! Bush told Congress, “Unless you act, Americans face a tax increase. What the Congress has given, the Congress should not take away: For the sake of job growth, the tax cuts you passed should be permanent.”
Bush also talked about his upcoming budget proposal:
And we should limit the burden of government on this economy by acting as good stewards of taxpayer dollars. In two weeks, I will send you a budget that funds the war, protects the homeland, and meets important domestic needs, while limiting the growth in discretionary spending to less than four percent. This will require that Congress focus on priorities, cut wasteful spending, and be wise with the people’s money. By doing so, we can cut the deficit in half over the next five years.
Bush spoke of his immigration plan, saying that while he opposes amnesty, he believes his temporary worker program will help the economy. He also talked about healthcare, which really got Ted Kennedy itching in his seat. Bush was very stern when talking about his commitment to senior citizens, “I signed this measure proudly, and any attempt to limit the choices of our seniors, or to take away their prescription drug coverage under Medicare, will meet my veto.”
Could this be a sign of new attitude in the Bush White House? Perhaps Bush is starting to say that he’ll start vetoing the bills he doesn’t like when they hit his desk?
Let’s hope so.
Next, Bush took on the topic of health care:
A government-run health care system is the wrong prescription. By keeping costs under control, expanding access, and helping more Americans afford coverage, we will preserve the system of private medicine that makes America’s health care the best in the world.
Sounds like a real slap in the face to Dean’s Socialized Medicare proposal if you ask me. You could almost hear the cringing and the shaking of heads by Hillary or Teddy. The complete disrespect by the Democrats only supported the strength of George W. Bush’s words. He continued on about his goals for the year, marking the decline of drug use in schools since he took office. He spoke out against steroid use in professional sports, and he brought up an upcoming proposal in his budget for a grassroots campaign to help fight against the spread of sexually transmitted diseases amongst teenagers and abstinence education. He has a vision to make America better, and healthier.
I couldn’t help but smile when Bush spoke about defending the institute of marriage and chose to point out that it was President Clinton who signed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. He put the issue on tables of Democrats and Republicans to hopefully one day define marriage as being between a man and woman with a constitutional amendment. He spoke out against the recent court decisions legalizing sodomy and same-sex marriages, correctly singling out activist judges who are redefining marriage from the bench.
Bush spoke well last night. The shameful behavior of the Democrats in the chambers last night only strengthened his words, and the Demcrats’ Response afterwards by Pelosi and Daschle was an utterly embarrassing display of rhetoric. Knowing they had the last word, they wasted no time telling their supporters that Democrats are the only ones who care about our country and can get things done.
Bush thanked Congress for doing their jobs well and passing good legislation. He stayed on the positive and spoke of America’s successes, he didn’t once assign credit to the Republican party for passing the tax cuts that are strengthen our economy. For every issue they chose to speak about, Pelosi and Daschle praised their own party,
Bush has set an agenda for America – the Democrats have set an agenda for themselves.
Related Posts:
January 27th, 2004 at 12:37 am
Please. Even a good portion of the Republicans were only getting up to applaud because they had to. The room had that eerie feeling of forced enthusiam, and I can assure you it wasn’t coming from the Democrats. I loved the cuts of the military top brass shaking Bush’s hand, their thinly vieled smiles oozing with contempt for someone who had skirted his military duty like so many other hawks in Washington.
Fact is the only man gung-ho about going to war are the one’s who’ve never seen it.
On Ted Kennedy’s response: When one man has the guts to do it, I can guarantee you another 100 are thinking it. And they aren’t just the democrats, they’re all congress, senate, military, & ordinary private citizens.
January 27th, 2004 at 1:19 am
I’m so glad Chris that you have the god-like perception to judge the “eerie feeling of forced enthusiam”
you make me laugh.
January 27th, 2004 at 10:22 am
I can completely understand how that might slip past you Matt. I dare say perception is not your strong suite, best to stick with blind convictions.