Good evening. To the United States Corps of Cadets, to the men and women of our armed services, and to my fellow Americans: I want to speak to you tonight about our effort in Afghanistan – the nature of our commitment there, the scope of our interests, and the strategy that my Administration will pursue to bring this war to a successful conclusion. It is an honor for me to do so here – at West Point – where so many men and women have prepared to stand up for our security, and to represent what is finest about our country. (Chris Matthews refers to West Point as an “enemy camp.”)
To address these issues, it is important to recall why America and our allies were compelled to fight a war in Afghanistan in the first place. We did not ask for this fight. On September 11, 2001, nineteen men hijacked four airplanes and used them to murder nearly 3,000 people.
They struck at our military and economic nerve centers. They took the lives of innocent men, women, and children without regard to their faith or race or station. Were it not for the heroic actions of the passengers on board one of those flights, they could have also struck at one of the great symbols of our democracy in Washington, and killed many more.
As we know, these men belonged to al Qaeda – a group of extremists who have distorted and defiled Islam (Really? According to whom? I’ve seen proof that they are following core tenets), one of the world’s great religions, to justify the slaughter of innocents. Al Qaeda’s base of operations was in Afghanistan, where they were harbored by the Taliban – a ruthless, repressive and radical movement that seized control of that country after it was ravaged by years of Soviet occupation and civil war, and after the attention of America and our friends had turned elsewhere. (And the Taliban were initially applauded by the Democrats for rooting out corruption.)
Just days after 9/11, Congress authorized the use of force against al Qaeda and those who harbored them – an authorization that continues to this day. The vote in the Senate was 98 to 0. The vote in the House was 420 to 1. For the first time in its history, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization invoked Article 5 – the commitment that says an attack on one member nation is an attack on all. And the United Nations Security Council endorsed the use of all necessary steps to respond to the 9/11 attacks. America, our allies and the world were acting as one to destroy al Qaeda’s terrorist network, and to protect our common security. (Too bad so many refuse to actually, you know….fight.)
Under the banner of this domestic unity and international legitimacy – and only after the Taliban refused to turn over Osama bin Laden – we sent our troops into Afghanistan. Within a matter of months, al Qaeda was scattered and many of its operatives were killed. The Taliban was driven from power and pushed back on its heels. A place that had known decades of fear now had reason to hope. At a conference convened by the UN, a provisional government was established under President Hamid Karzai. And an International Security Assistance Force was established to help bring a lasting peace to a war-torn country.
Then, in early 2003, the decision was made to wage a second war in Iraq. The wrenching debate over the Iraq War is well-known and need not be repeated here (It might remind people how wrong Obama was and make him look bad.). It is enough to say that for the next six years, the Iraq War drew the dominant share of our troops, our resources, our diplomacy, and our national attention – and that the decision to go into Iraq caused substantial rifts between America and much of the world. (So, extensive history lesson in detail for Afghanistan, but, no lesson for Iraq? What’s the matter? If you go into detail, your arguments founder? Doesn’t fit your script?)
Today, after extraordinary costs, we are bringing the Iraq war to a responsible end. We will remove our combat brigades from Iraq by the end of next summer, and all of our troops by the end of 2011. That we are doing so is a testament to the character of our men and women in uniform. Thanks to their courage, grit and perseverance , we have given Iraqis a chance to shape their future, and we are successfully leaving Iraq to its people. (NO thanks to you, Mr. Cut and Run. And you’re still quitting before we are finished.)
But while we have achieved hard-earned milestones in Iraq, the situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated (Of course it has. When the terrorists can’t win in Iraq, they go to the ‘stan. DUH.). After escaping across the border into Pakistan in 2001 and 2002, al Qaeda’s leadership established a safe-haven there. Although a legitimate government was elected by the Afghan people, it has been hampered by corruption, the drug trade, an under-developed economy, and insufficient Security Forces.
Over the last several years, the Taliban has maintained common cause with al Qaeda, as they both seek an overthrow of the Afghan government. Gradually, the Taliban has begun to take control over swaths of Afghanistan, while engaging in increasingly brazen and devastating acts of terrorism against the Pakistani people.
Throughout this period, our troop levels in Afghanistan remained a fraction of what they were in Iraq (um,….. because THAT was where the battle was.). When I took office, we had just over 32,000 Americans serving in Afghanistan, compared to 160,000 (a peak that you voted against and wanted to stop.) in Iraq at the peak of the war. Commanders in Afghanistan repeatedly asked for support to deal with the reemergence of the Taliban, but these reinforcements did not arrive.(NOR HAVE THEY YET……we’re waiting…..)
That’s why, shortly after taking office, I approved a long-standing request for more troops. After consultations with our allies, I then announced a strategy recognizing the fundamental connection between our war effort in Afghanistan, and the extremist safe-havens in Pakistan. I set a goal that was narrowly defined as disrupting, dismantling, and defeating al Qaeda and its extremist allies, and pledged to better coordinate our military and civilian effort. (Soooooo, you followed GWB’s plan…….)
Since then, we have made progress on some important objectives. High-ranking al Qaeda and Taliban leaders have been killed, and we have stepped up the pressure on al Qaeda world-wide. In Pakistan, that nation’s Army has gone on its largest offensive in years. In Afghanistan, we and our allies prevented the Taliban from stopping a presidential election, and – although it was marred by fraud – that election produced a government that is consistent with Afghanistan’s laws and Constitution.
Yet huge challenges remain. Afghanistan is not lost, but for several years it has moved backwards. There is no imminent threat of the government being overthrown, but the Taliban has gained momentum. Al Qaeda has not reemerged in Afghanistan in the same numbers as before 9/11, but they retain their safe-havens along the border.
And our forces lack the full support they need to effectively train and partner with Afghan Security Forces and better secure the population (That would be YOU.). Our new Commander in Afghanistan – General McChrystal – has reported that the security situation is more serious than he anticipated. In short: the status quo is not sustainable. As cadets, you volunteered for service during this time of danger. Some of you have fought in Afghanistan. Many will deploy there. (And yet……you continue to dither!)
As your Commander-in-Chief, I owe you a mission that is clearly defined, and worthy of your service. That is why, after the Afghan voting was completed, I insisted on a thorough review of our strategy. Let me be clear (DRINK!): there has never been an option before me that called for troop deployments before 2010, so there has been no delay or denial of resources necessary for the conduct of the war.(Now…why don’t I believe him? Hmmmmmm……)
Instead, the review has allowed me ask the hard questions, and to explore all of the different options along with my national security team, our military and civilian leadership in Afghanistan, and with our key partners. Given the stakes involved, I owed the American people – and our troops – no less. (So, in other words, its taken you a year to actually use that intellect you touted and still go with GWB’s plan, except now, its too little, too late, and a dollar short.)
This review is now complete. And as Commander-in-Chief, I have determined that it is in our vital national interest to send an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan. After 18 months, our troops will begin to come home. These are the resources that we need to seize the initiative, while building the Afghan capacity that can allow for a responsible transition of our forces out of Afghanistan. (I bolded this because it is UNFREAKING BELIEVABLE THAT HE JUST TOLD OUR ENEMY OUR TIMETABLE FOR SURRENDER! IT TOOK YEARS TO TRAIN IRAQIS. HE WANTS TO START LEAVING IN 18 MONTHS AFTER A SURGE, ONE THAT WE DON’T EVEN KNOW WILL WORK. HE IS CRIMINALLY STUPID.)
I do not make this decision lightly. I opposed the war in Iraq precisely because I believe that we must exercise restraint in the use of military force, and always consider the long-term consequences of our actions. We have been at war for eight years, at enormous cost in lives and resources. (Let me fix that: “I think the US is bad and shouldn’t use its military. The GWOT is a fake.)
Years of debate over Iraq and terrorism have left our unity on national security issues in tatters (YOUR FAULT, ALONG WITH PELOSI AND REID), and created a highly polarized and partisan backdrop for this effort (SEE ABOVE). And having just experienced the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression (SEE ABOVE), the American people are understandably focused(ON VICTORY AGAINST THE ENEMY) on rebuilding our economy and putting people to work here at home (WHICH YOU AREN’T).
Most of all, I know that this decision asks even more of you – a military that, along with your families, has already borne the heaviest of all burdens. As President, I have signed a letter of condolence to the family of each American who gives their life in these wars. I have read the letters from the parents and spouses of those who deployed. I have visited our courageous wounded warriors at Walter Reed.
I have traveled to Dover to meet the flag-draped caskets of 18 Americans returning home to their final resting place (Photo ops all). I see firsthand the terrible wages of war(translation: IT DISTRACTS FROM MY TRANSFORMATION OF AMERICA). If I did not think that the security of the United States and the safety of the American people were at stake in Afghanistan, I would gladly order every single one of our troops home tomorrow. (TRANSLATION: IF I DID NOT THINK THAT PATRIOTIC AMERICANS WOULD GET RID OF ME…..)
So no – I do not make this decision lightly. I make this decision because I am convinced that our security is at stake in Afghanistan and Pakistan(BULLSH#T). This is the epicenter of the violent extremism practiced by al Qaeda. It is from here that we were attacked on 9/11, and it is from here that new attacks are being plotted as I speak. This is no idle danger; no hypothetical threat. In the last few months alone, we have apprehended extremists within our borders who were sent here from the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan to commit new acts of terror. (SO, OF COURSE, YOU APPROVE OF A SHOW TRIAL FOR THE WORST ONE AND DEGRADE THE CIA.)
This danger will only grow if the region slides backwards, and al Qaeda can operate with impunity. We must keep the pressure on al Qaeda, and to do that, we must increase the stability and capacity of our partners in the region. (YET WE START LEAVING IN 2011…….WTF?)
Of course, this burden is not ours alone to bear. This is not just America’s war. Since 9/11, al Qaeda’s safe-havens have been the source of attacks against London and Amman and Bali. The people and governments of both Afghanistan and Pakistan are endangered. And the stakes are even higher within a nuclear-armed Pakistan, because we know that al Qaeda and other extremists seek nuclear weapons, and we have every reason to believe that they would use them. (Ummm, what about Iran? If we’re willing to blow up Al-Queada to stop them from getting nukes, why not the Iranian gov’t?)
These facts compel us to act along with our friends and allies. Our overarching goal remains the same: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and to prevent its capacity to threaten America and our allies in the future. (And yet you surrender.)
To meet that goal, we will pursue the following objectives within Afghanistan. We must deny al Qaeda a safe-haven (BS, Surrendering……). We must reverse the Taliban’s momentum and deny it the ability to overthrow the government (Surrendering…….). And we must strengthen the capacity of Afghanistan’s Security Forces and government, so that they can take lead responsibility for Afghanistan’s future. (What part of Surrendering, did you miss?)
We will meet these objectives in three ways. First, we will pursue a military strategy that will break the Taliban’s momentum and increase Afghanistan’s capacity over the next 18 months. (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA………yeah, I know, I have to laugh to keep from crying.)
The 30,000 additional troops that I am announcing tonight will deploy in the first part of 2010 – the fastest pace possible (especially since you waited for MONTHS SINCE THE REQUEST) – so that they can target the insurgency and secure key population centers. They will increase our ability to train competent Afghan Security Forces (OXYMORON), and to partner with them so that more Afghans can get into the fight. And they will help create the conditions for the United States to transfer responsibility to the Afghans. (WHETHER THEY ARE READY OR NOT)
Because this is an international effort, I have asked that our commitment be joined by contributions from our allies. Some have already provided additional troops, and we are confident that there will be further contributions in the days and weeks ahead. Our friends have fought and bled and died alongside us in Afghanistan. Now, we must come together to end this war successfully. For what’s at stake is not simply a test of NATO’s credibility (what credibility? Thank God the Russians can barely invade Georgia) – what’s at stake is the security of our Allies, and the common security of the world. (The usual suspects have done wonderfully while the others have ROE that would embarrass a Girl Scout.)
Taken together, these additional American and international troops will allow us to accelerate handing over responsibility to Afghan forces (Surrender), and allow us to begin the transfer of our forces out of Afghanistan in July of 2011. Just as we have done in Iraq, we will execute this transition responsibly, taking into account conditions on the ground. (If we are “taking into account conditions on the ground”, how can you provide ANY date? Why should ANY Afghani put themselves in danger for us. The Taliban will NEVER go away until Afghanistan is transformed.)
We will continue to advise and assist Afghanistan’s Security Forces to ensure that they can succeed over the long haul. But it will be clear to the Afghan government – and, more importantly, to the Afghan people – that they will ultimately be responsible for their own country. (Yep. We’ll do that until we can leave July 2011……just in time for the US elections…..)
Second, we will work with our partners, the UN (who? Oh, them. Yeah, they can be depended upon. They left.), and the Afghan people to pursue a more effective civilian strategy, so that the government can take advantage of improved security.
This effort must be based on performance (Whose performance?). The days of providing a blank check are over. (Repeat of his lame Iraqi statements. He’s planning to cut an run.) President Karzai’s inauguration speech sent the right message about moving in a new direction. And going forward, we will be clear about what we expect from those who receive our assistance. We will support Afghan Ministries, Governors, and local leaders that combat corruption and deliver for the people. We expect those who are ineffective or corrupt to be held accountable. And we will also focus our assistance in areas – such as agriculture – that can make an immediate impact in the lives of the Afghan people. (Agriculture? Oh, poppies…….)
The people of Afghanistan have endured violence for decades. They have been confronted with occupation – by the Soviet Union, and then by foreign Al Qaeda fighters who used Afghan land for their own purposes (Not to mention shooting at each other in tribal warfare for 1000 years). So tonight, I want the Afghan people to understand(Yep. I just bet that the Afghanis were just glued to their TVs.) – America seeks an end to this era of war and suffering. We have no interest in occupying your country (And that’s just how he sees our actions.).
We will support efforts by the Afghan government to open the door to those Taliban who abandon violence and respect the human rights of their fellow citizens (WTF? They’re TALIBAN! And the Afghanis are fundamental muslims. Respect human rights according to whom?). And we will seek a partnership with Afghanistan grounded in mutual respect – to isolate those who destroy; to strengthen those who build; to hasten the day when our troops will leave; and to forge a lasting friendship in which America is your partner, and never your patron. (In other words, “blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…..)
Third, we will act with the full recognition that our success in Afghanistan is inextricably linked to our partnership with Pakistan.
We are in Afghanistan to prevent a cancer from once again spreading through that country. But this same cancer has also taken root in the border region of Pakistan. That is why we need a strategy that works on both sides of the border.
In the past, there have been those in Pakistan who have argued that the struggle against extremism is not their fight, and that Pakistan is better off doing little or seeking accommodation with those who use violence. But in recent years, as innocents have been killed from Karachi to Islamabad, it has become clear that it is the Pakistani people who are the most endangered by extremism. Public opinion has turned. The Pakistani Army has waged an offensive in Swat and South Waziristan. And there is no doubt that the United States and Pakistan share a common enemy. (And yet, Obama wants to cut and run, and treat enemy combatants as ‘criminals’.)
In the past, we too often defined our relationship with Pakistan narrowly. Those days are over. Moving forward, we are committed to a partnership with Pakistan that is built on a foundation of mutual interests, mutual respect, and mutual trust. We will strengthen Pakistan’s capacity to target those groups that threaten our countries, and have made it clear that we cannot tolerate a safe-haven for terrorists whose location is known, and whose intentions are clear (And yet, God forbid, the CIA use harsh language in finding out that information.).
America is also providing substantial resources to support Pakistan’s democracy and development. We are the largest international supporter for those Pakistanis displaced by the fighting. And going forward, the Pakistani people must know: America will remain a strong supporter of Pakistan’s security and prosperity long after the guns have fallen silent, so that the great potential of its people can be unleashed. (Translation: Here’s your money. We’ll print more.)
These are the three core elements of our strategy: a military effort to create the conditions for a transition; a civilian surge that reinforces positive action; and an effective partnership with Pakistan. (No mention of victory. Cut and run…..)
I recognize that there are a range of concerns about our approach. So let me briefly address a few of the prominent arguments that I have heard, and which I take very seriously.
First, there are those who suggest that Afghanistan is another Vietnam. They argue that it cannot be stabilized, and we are better off cutting our losses and rapidly withdrawing. Yet this argument depends upon a false reading of history. Unlike Vietnam, we are joined by a broad coalition of 43 nations that recognizes the legitimacy of our action. (Unlike Vietnam, we have alternative media sources that won’t demonize our efforts. We all know that you are ” cutting our losses and rapidly withdrawing” for the domestic reasons and because you don’t know how to lead.)
Unlike Vietnam, we are not facing a broad-based popular insurgency(Really? The Taliban appear to have support ACROSS THE COUNTRY BECAUSE WE’RE LEAVING.). And most importantly, unlike Vietnam, the American people were viciously attacked from Afghanistan, and remain a target for those same extremists who are plotting along its border. To abandon this area now – and to rely only on efforts against al Qaeda from a distance – would significantly hamper our ability to keep the pressure on al Qaeda, and create an unacceptable risk of additional attacks on our homeland and our allies. (And yet that was your very plan. How will we keep pressure on them after we leave?)
Second, there are those who acknowledge that we cannot leave Afghanistan in its current state, but suggest that we go forward with the troops that we have. But this would simply maintain a status quo in which we muddle through, and permit a slow deterioration of conditions there. It would ultimately prove more costly and prolong our stay in Afghanistan, because we would never be able to generate the conditions needed to train Afghan Security Forces and give them the space to take over. (Key words: Go forward. That would translate into “win” for most……apparently you don’t understand that concept.)
Finally, there are those who oppose identifying a time frame for our transition to Afghan responsibility. Indeed, some call for a more dramatic and open-ended escalation of our war effort – one that would commit us to a nation building project of up to a decade.
I reject this course because it sets goals that are beyond what we can achieve at a reasonable cost, and what we need to achieve to secure our interests. Furthermore, the absence of a time frame for transition would deny us any sense of urgency in working with the Afghan government. It must be clear that Afghans will have to take responsibility for their security, and that America has no interest in fighting an endless war in Afghanistan. (THIS IS SUCH UNMITIGATED BS! REASONABLE COSTS? SINCE WHEN IS THAT A REASON TO END A WAR? OH. MY. GOD. Reasonable compared to what? Is VICTORY beyond what we can achieve? Was transforming Japan and Germany into civilized countries beyond reasonable costs? What price Victory?)
As President, I refuse to set goals that go beyond our responsibility, our means, our or interests (ie, victory?). And I must weigh all of the challenges that our nation faces. I do not have the luxury of committing to just one. Indeed, I am mindful of the words of President Eisenhower, who – in discussing our national security – said, “Each proposal must be weighed in the light of a broader consideration: the need to maintain balance in and among national programs.” (Translation: I need the money for the slush fund and have to keep my left wing base happy with handouts.)
Over the past several years, we have lost that balance, and failed to appreciate the connection between our national security and our economy (Um, no WE didn’t. YOU did. You have killed the economy.). In the wake of an economic crisis, too many of our friends and neighbors are out of work and struggle to pay the bills, and too many Americans are worried about the future facing our children. Meanwhile, competition within the global economy has grown more fierce (because YOU keep screwing with the economy). So we simply cannot afford to ignore the price of these wars. (Nope, so GM is to big to fail, but, national security can go begging.)
All told, by the time I took office the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan approached a trillion dollars.(Which he beat in just ONE YEAR! ONE FRIGGIN’ YEAR!) Going forward, I am committed to addressing these costs openly and honestly (HAHAHAHAHAHA!). Our new approach in Afghanistan is likely to cost us roughly 30 billion dollars for the military this year, and I will work closely with Congress to address these costs as we work to bring down our deficit. (YOU LIE! I cannot believe that he said that! He is spending more money than ever and he said this?)
But as we end the war in Iraq and transition to Afghan responsibility (ie, surrender), we must rebuild our strength here at home. Our prosperity provides a foundation for our power. It pays for our military. It underwrites our diplomacy. It taps the potential of our people, and allows investment in new industry. And it will allow us to compete in this century as successfully as we did in the last. That is why our troop commitment in Afghanistan cannot be open-ended – because the nation that I am most interested in building is our own. (And so I am going to kill our medical industry, destroy small business, and bankrupt our energy industry. And I will provide free money, food, housing, and TV from unicorn farts.)
Let me be clear(DRINK!): none of this will be easy. The struggle against violent extremism will not be finished quickly (according to you: July 2011), and it extends well beyond Afghanistan and Pakistan (according to DHS, its every conservative). It will be an enduring test of our free society, and our leadership (whose leadership? Where?) in the world. And unlike the great power conflicts and clear lines of division that defined the 20th century, our effort will involve disorderly regions and diffuse enemies.
So as a result, America will have to show our strength in the way that we end wars and prevent conflict. (And there you have the Obama Doctrine. We Surrender) We will have to be nimble and precise in our use of military power. Where al Qaeda and its allies attempt to establish a foothold – whether in Somalia or Yemen or elsewhere – they must be confronted by growing pressure and strong partnerships. (But never military might. How the hell do you “pressure” a dispersed fanatical enemy that wants you dead?)
And we cannot count on military might alone. We have to invest in our homeland security (And so you cripple the CIA), because we cannot capture or kill every violent extremist abroad. We have to improve and better coordinate our intelligence, so that we stay one step ahead of shadowy networks. (And yet, we couldn’t stop Ft Hood because of Political correctness.)
We will have to take away the tools of mass destruction (Except by, you know, actually TAKING them away). That is why I have made it a central pillar of my foreign policy to secure loose nuclear materials from terrorists; to stop the spread of nuclear weapons; and to pursue the goal of a world without them. Because every nation must understand that true security will never come from an endless race for ever-more destructive weapons – true security will come for those who reject them. (Hey Iran! STOP! Or I’ll say “STOP” again!)
We will have to use diplomacy, because no one nation can meet the challenges of an interconnected world acting alone. I have spent this year renewing our alliances and forging new partnerships. (And we’re STILL HATED. And YOU are laughed at. ANGERING LONG TERM ALLIES AND SUCKING UP TO SOCIALISTS. Great job, Barry!) And we have forged a new beginning between America and the Muslim World – one that recognizes our mutual interest in breaking a cycle of conflict, and that promises a future in which those who kill innocents are isolated by those who stand up for peace and prosperity and human dignity. (Ok, where are those Muslims, exactly? Show me ONE muslim country that does that? Turkey comes closest and that’s because their military seize control if the “fundamentalists” get too crazy.)
Finally, we must draw on the strength of our values – for the challenges that we face may have changed, but the things that we believe in must not (Except you don’t believe in the same things that most Americans appear to.). That is why we must promote our values by living them at home – which is why I have prohibited torture and will close the prison at Guantanamo Bay (Btw, where are you planning to put any FUTURE captured terrorists? Or are you planning to just stop that altogether?) . And we must make it clear to every man, woman and child around the world who lives under the dark cloud of tyranny that America will speak out on behalf of their human rights (Unless you’re Honduras. And we will DO exactly ZIP, ZILCH,NIL, NADA, NOTHING), and tend to the light of freedom, and justice, and opportunity, and respect for the dignity of all peoples. That is who we are. That is the moral source of America’s authority.
Since the days of Franklin Roosevelt, and the service and sacrifice of our grandparents, our country has borne a special burden in global affairs. We have spilled American blood in many countries on multiple continents. We have spent our revenue to help others rebuild from rubble and develop their own economies. We have joined with others to develop an architecture of institutions – from the United Nations to NATO to the World Bank – that provide for the common security and prosperity of human beings. (And today it ends.)
We have not always been thanked for these efforts, and we have at times made mistakes. But more than any other nation, the United States of America has underwritten global security for over six decades – a time that, for all its problems, has seen walls come down, markets open, billions lifted from poverty, unparalleled scientific progress, and advancing frontiers of human liberty. (No thanks to Obama’s kind. His ilk were usually on the OTHER side.)
For unlike the great powers of old, we have not sought world domination. Our union was founded in resistance to oppression. We do not seek to occupy other nations. We will not claim another nation’s resources or target other peoples because their faith or ethnicity is different from ours. What we have fought for – and what we continue to fight for – is a better future for our children and grandchildren, and we believe that their lives will be better if other peoples’ children and grandchildren can live in freedom and access opportunity.
As a country, we are not as young – and perhaps not as innocent – as we were when Roosevelt was President(Innocent? Apparently you haven’t read any history of the Progressive movement). Yet we are still heirs to a noble struggle for freedom. Now we must summon all of our might and moral suasion to meet the challenges of a new age.
In the end, our security and leadership does not come solely from the strength of our arms. It derives from our people – from the workers and businesses who will rebuild our economy; from the entrepreneurs and researchers who will pioneer new industries; from the teachers that will educate our children, and the service of those who work in our communities at home; from the diplomats and Peace Corps volunteers who spread hope abroad; and from the men and women in uniform who are part of an unbroken line of sacrifice that has made government of the people, by the people, and for the people a reality on this Earth.
This vast and diverse citizenry will not always agree on every issue – nor should we. But I also know that we, as a country, cannot sustain our leadership nor navigate the momentous challenges of our time if we allow ourselves to be split asunder by the same rancor and cynicism and partisanship that has in recent times poisoned our national discourse. (So, why do you keep DOING IT?)
It is easy to forget that when this war began, we were united – bound together by the fresh memory of a horrific attack, and by the determination to defend our homeland and the values we hold dear. I refuse to accept the notion that we cannot summon that unity again. I believe with every fiber of my being that we – as Americans – can still come together behind a common purpose. For our values are not simply words written into parchment – they are a creed that calls us together, and that has carried us through the darkest of storms as one nation, one people.
America – we are passing through a time of great trial. And the message that we send in the midst of these storms must be clear: that our cause is just, our resolve unwavering. We will go forward with the confidence that right makes might, and with the commitment to forge an America that is safer, a world that is more secure, and a future that represents not the deepest of fears but the highest of hopes. Thank you, God Bless you, God Bless our troops, and may God Bless the United States of America.
(God I miss Ronald Reagan. Heck, even Bill Clinton.)
Jeff Emanuel
Dan Spencer
Neil Stevens
Caleb Howe
Daniel Horowitz
Lori Ziganto
Moe Lane
