Tuesday, June 13, 2006 President Bush Addresses Troops in Iraq
And so the first thing I want to tell you is the American people are incredibly grateful for what you do, and I bring their greetings and their thanks for the sacrifices you and your family make.
These are historic times. The mission that you're accomplishing here in Iraq will go down in the history books as an incredibly important moment in the history of freedom and peace; an incredibly important moment of doing our duty to secure our homeland.
You know, right after September the 11th I knew that some would forget the dangers we face. Some would hope that the world would be what it's not -- a peaceful place in which people wouldn't want to do harm to those of us who love freedom. I vowed that day, after September the 11th, to do everything I could to protect the American people. And I was able to make that claim because I knew there were people such as yourself who were willing to be on the front line in the war on terror.
Baghdad and Iraq is a front in the war on terror. It is a part of our mission to help make sure that the world is a better place. I truly believe the work that you're doing here is laying the foundation of peace for generations to come, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
The progress here in Iraq has been remarkable when you really think about it. The people of this country suffered under the hands of a brutal tyrant -- and thanks to the United States forces and coalition forces, the people are liberated from the clutches of Saddam Hussein. (Applause.) America is safer, the world is better off and the Iraqi people have a chance to realize the great blessings of liberty because Saddam Hussein is no longer in power. Thanks to your hard work, the Iraqi people have been given a chance to go to the polls -- not once, but three different times -- to elect a government that is dedicated to the will of the people.
One of the things that we've got to realize -- "we," the world, have got to realize, is that Iraqi women want their children to grow up in a peaceful world; they want their sons and daughters to be well educated; they want to live in peace and harmony; they want to be able to realize their hopes and aspirations. It's a common desire, and is one that you all are helping the Iraqis realize. It's important work, it's vital work, and it's historic work.
Our military will stay on the offense. We will continue to hunt down people like Mr. Zarqawi, and bring them to justice. (Applause.) We will continue to train the Iraqis, so they can help the unity government secure the peace.
This is a moment -- this is a time where the world can turn one way or the other, where the world can be a better place or a more dangerous place. And the United States of America and citizens such as yourself are dedicated to making sure that the world we leave behind is a better place for all.
It is such an honor to be here. (Applause.) It is such an honor to be with you. May God bless you all, may God bless your work, may God bless your families, and may God continue to bless the United States of America. (Applause.)
I have made it a rule never to smoke more that one cigar at a time. -- Mark Twain
Posts: 284 | Location: In the SouthWest! | Registered: December 10, 2005
Let's run this speech through the George W. Bush analyzer for a Bush-to-English translation. Wait for it...wait for it...ok, here comes...
"Good afternoon. Your goverment sent you into combat under dubious circumstances, without a clear plan and without the resources to protect yourselves and do the best job possible. And I guess now that the jig is up, we have to look on the positive side because otherwise, you'll lay down your guns and stop fighting, and I'll go down in history as the country's biggest a$shole president of all time. So, uh, thanks. Pickup trucks rule! Texas barbecue is awesome! Go Dallas Cowboys! Yeeeeehaaaaw!"
He's right about one thing...he SHOULD be honored to be standing with those who keep on fighting despite it all.
We want to thank you for joining our VOLUNTARY armed forces. I'm glad to know that you know the Armed Forces is not for the purposes of selling girl scout cookies. Nay. We are 'locked, cocked, and ready to rock'.
We were instrumental in giving the Iraqi people freedom and out of the clutches of Saddam Hussein. Zarqawi has met justice. Let's continue to give the middle east freedom of religion and freedom of speech...your basic freedoms that everyone here in this room desires very much themselves for their own families and future generations.
(Applause).
Thank you, men and women of the United States Armed Forces and Hoorah!"
hahaha!
I have made it a rule never to smoke more that one cigar at a time. -- Mark Twain
Posts: 284 | Location: In the SouthWest! | Registered: December 10, 2005
Regardless of ones political views or affiliations, you have to admit it took some huge cajones on George's part just to touch ground there, much less take the time to give a speech.
Originally posted by Tabcon: Regardless of ones political views or affiliations, you have to admit it took some huge cajones on George's part just to touch ground there, much less take the time to give a speech.
Tab
Yep.
He's got 'huevos'. lololol!
The security was tight....I saw pics of the convoys before his arrival. The convoy was similar to that of a 'nuke type of convoy'. "Precious property" always gets a huge convoy to ensure security and safety.
I agree....that was a bold move on the "Vaquero" a/k/a Cowboy part.
I have said this before and will say it again....the right man is in power right now.....if Kerry would have been elected......he would have cut and run along time ago.
I have made it a rule never to smoke more that one cigar at a time. -- Mark Twain
Posts: 284 | Location: In the SouthWest! | Registered: December 10, 2005
There ain't no extensioncord on this Earth long enough to connect some of these Bush-bashing-Bozos to reality. And some just plain have a black(ie1)view of the good ol' USA (in case you missed his witty Swiss sarcasm).
Fact of the matter is history has pre-destined a confrontation between the Free World and RADICAL Islamic murderers. Our prez is wise enough to face it sooner than later. One of the ironies of freedom is that so many who enjoy it just don't understand the way it is preserved. In fact they are hell-bent on squandering it. Pecking at the hand that feeds them. They are like pets. Fretting and pooping at every turn.
"A little song...a little dance...a little seltzer down your pants!" --Chuckles the Clown
Posts: 1683 | Location: A hill in the Poconos | Registered: July 19, 2002
Originally posted by Cigoz: Fact of the matter is history has pre-destined a confrontation between the Free World and RADICAL Islamic murderers.
You're probably right, 'oz.
But we didn't go to war with radical Islamic murderers. Our President took us to war against a dictator on the basis that he had WMD (wrong) and that he was sheltering Al Qaeda (wrong again).
An apparently unexpected consequence of the war was creating MORE extremists and giving them MORE power and cred than before. So naturally we had to take them on.
All I'm saying is if this whole Iraq situation works out for the best, it will be purely by accident.
accident,,,accident,,,accident.... We had to do this right now and Iraq was the best target. I am sorry if it did not come at a time when we were 1000% ready. Or that you don't like the fact that we are there or don't want to understand why. I don't give a you know what about WMD. Iraq and now is best for the future of the world and that is no accident.
Posts: 2381 | Location: 9th Plain of Hell | Registered: March 10, 2003
But we didn't go to war with radical Islamic murderers. Our President took us to war against a dictator on the basis that he had WMD (wrong) and that he was sheltering Al Qaeda (wrong again).
The husband [of one of Zarqawi’s sisters], who identified himself as Abu Qudama, said: “We’re not sad that he’s dead.” “To the contrary, we’re happy because he’s a martyr and he’s now in heaven,”
I have made it a rule never to smoke more that one cigar at a time. -- Mark Twain
Posts: 284 | Location: In the SouthWest! | Registered: December 10, 2005
WMD was just ONE of many reasons cited by many in BOTH parties for going to war. Surely you must remember the anti-terrorist momentum building up to it. Saddam certainly used WMD, pursued WMD, and created the mystery and aura of whether or not he had them. It was a prudent move to find out. Now the libs shout from the rooftops, "No WMD! Bush lied!" But the only reason anyone knows is because WE WENT IN AND SEARCHED THE A-HOLE'S HOME OURSELVES. Now you act like everyone ALWAYS knew. Like shunned, blocked, harassed UN inspectors had certified it before hand. And Bush lied about some infallible report. Bull-oni!
Saddam was found to be harboring a terrorist who'd murdered a crippled American citizen (Leon Klip...name escapes me), pushing him overboard in front of his wife aboard the hijacked Italian cruise ship (Achille Laura?). Saddam was known to reward families of HOMICIDE bombers thousands of dollars after they murdered in Israel. Saddam was negotiating with Al Qaeda.
Planting the US Army in the middle of this mid-East $h1t hole was perfect...for a START. You ain't seen nothing yet in the struggle to shake these 5th century psychos out of modern civilization.
"A little song...a little dance...a little seltzer down your pants!" --Chuckles the Clown
Posts: 1683 | Location: A hill in the Poconos | Registered: July 19, 2002
I guess in theory I understand that you are proud to be against the war and yes that does not exclude you from being a good American. But then again I still can’t watch a Jane Fonda movie. Perhaps this is my own short coming.
Posts: 2381 | Location: 9th Plain of Hell | Registered: March 10, 2003
Originally posted by THEMONK: I guess in theory I understand that you are proud to be against the war and yes that does not exclude you from being a good American. But then again I still can’t watch a Jane Fonda movie. Perhaps this is my own short coming.
Even "On Golden Pond?" Seriously though, the only pride that enters into it is pride in my country and pride in our armed forces. I'd much rather have a President I was proud of and that our troops could count on. Speeches like the President gave show a reprehensible lack of respect for our troops and the American people. If anyone should swallow his pride, it's the President, instead of pretending that this was all part of some great plan that is working out pretty well. It isn't, it's not, and if it does it will be in spite of his administration. It's got nothing to do with Republican or Democrat either -- standup guys are hard to come by on both sides.
