Beacon of Freedom

www.RightViews.com ^ | 02/1/05 | OJ

[Johannesson]

On the eve of the state of the union address, I cannot help but reflect on the President's inaugural speech and the poignant significance of our present position in history. The President chose to place great emphasis on freedom and America's determination to free people living under oppression. To no surprise, he endured great criticism from the opposing left for his comments.

Bush, however, has ignited a revolution. Not only in the literal sense of freeing people living under tyranny but also from a cultural perspective. Over the last four years, America's image around the world as the land of the free and an unprecedented beacon of liberty has been tarnished. Detractors have somewhat successfully managed to paint the US as an imperialist force, indulged in self absorbance and greed. When he gave his inaugural address, Bush was scorned for employing empty rhetoric while pursuing divergent policy platforms.

Certainly, we have heard much from the islamo-fascist movements concerning American crusading imperialism and our supposed military conquest for oil. The anti-globalization groups vilify our government and stage loud anti-American protests every chance they get. Socialist politicians, both at home and abroad, have boisterously objected to Bush's foreign policy agenda, calling it reckless and arrogant. As it turns out, blaming and demonizing America and the Bush administration was simply a convenient cover for misguided alternate agendas.

[Congressman Billybob]

The power of that extraordinary speech by President Bush came not just from what he said, but also HOW he said it. Bush reached back to Lincoln and before, for his inspiration. Check the first link below.

Congressman Billybob [TWO different columns this week]

Click for latest, "Homer, Shakespeare, Pope, and George Bush"

Click for latest, "Dusty Rhodes, a Death in the Family"