...between those who commited these acts, and those who harbor them." Part of Bush's speech, (which was too short, in my opinion). Afganistan better give up Bin Laden if he caused this!
I'm confused...is our military ready or not. I find it hard to believe that in the 9 months he's been in office, the military is suddenly ready. Other than that, great speech. I really like the economic part. That's what I'm most worried about.
I would have liked to see more forcefulness in his voice. Not anger, necessarily, but a sense of overt retaliation in his speech.
NBC News just dropped a hint that the government's spy network/telecom evesdropping network has already intercepted communications that may link the attack to Bin Laden's group. They also suspect at least one of the hijackers to be a Bin Laden "follower".
I agree Behad, his voice seemed indifferent. Other then that, great speech by GW. It's time to take care of business. I'm not sure it's the military training so much as the intelligence. I can see Laden being assassinated. Dude should have just kept to himself.
Here's the text: Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices. Secretaries, business men and women, military and federal workers. Moms and dads. Friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could. Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C., to help with local rescue efforts. Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks. The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington, which had to be evacuated today, are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well. The search is under way for those who are behind these evil acts. I've directed the full resources for our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them. I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance. America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world and we stand together to win the war against terrorism. Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me." This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world. Thank you. Good night and God bless America.
Behad, I agree. I thought he would appeal more to the traditional American sense of patriotic zeal and express outrage at what his happened. Instead, he was pretty darn calm. Also, his speech seemed to have a strong religious undercurrent. He was even quoting scripture at one point.
I've noticed that Bush never seems angry or happy or concerned. He always has that same look - a mixture of confusion and irritation - on his face and it is terribly ineffective in a time like this. Not exactly the "day that will live in infamy" equivalent speech.
He can't take a stand of vindictiveness. This will only make us look bad despite what happened. He's painting a picture of us being the victims and that based upon us being violated, we will seek justice. What he doesn't want to come off being is some maniacal blood-thirsty revenge-seeker. Besides, he may need support from some of those other Middle Eastern countries over the next few days/weeks and doesn't want to look like the Evil Christian American. The other thing is he needs to keep an air of calmness about his words. When he takes the stance that "we're going to kick ass for this" all he does is infuriate the rest of the American public with him. He needs to present a demeanor of calm, cool, and collectedness and convey this to the American people just to keep them reassured and that he has things under control.
He must be reading this BBS, it is what we have been saying all day long. Chop off the head and the body will follow. DaDakota
Precisely...... I think he showed poise, and at the same time was forceful enough on certain important details, with just the right pregnant pause. Especially after the comment: "We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them. " I wonder if around dinner time tomorrow we will see the glowing flashes on TV of Afghanistan being leveled?!?
It's wrong to be so flippant about an enormous tragedy. You almost seem eager for it. I hope that Afghanistan had nothing to do with this. I hope this because I don't want innocent Afghans to be harmed, and also, I don't want to believe that there are that many horrible people in the world. I wasn't really sure anyone could do this. That's what I told myself at least when I talked in classes about "mass terrorism" and "biological threats." Nobody could really be that horrible. Guess I was wrong. It's not something to treat flippantly. Vengeance is not the Red River rivalry. Overall, I didn't like Bush's speech. The attackers didn't assault America because it is the " America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. . I bet they did it because America has (rightly or wrongly) supported their oppressors. Perhaps Bush couldn't say it that way, tonight. But Ithought it was the sort of characterization that will just lead to further misunderstanding.
I dislike Bush more than anyone, but if he can handle this crisis, I will gain a new level of respect for him. More power to him.
haven, How can you assume I was being flippant? I most certainly was not. Maybe it is you who was eager to read it as flippant. It was a mere prediction based on what Bush stated about those who harbor terrorists, and also contingent upon it actually being Bin Laden. By no means have I intended to be flippant in regards to a tremendous loss of life, and possibly more to follow in retaliation. The fact is, retaliation is coming, and I wondered if we would see Afghanistan being leveled tomorrow. I am fairly offended with your statements.......
I agree with an earlier point, it seemed to be a very quick speech. But touched on all the basic points. Sad to say, but I think how he reacts to an event like this will make or break his legacy as a president.
