Posted on 01/30/2005 10:49:34 AM PST by NonValueAdded
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE IRAQI ELECTION
The Cross Hall
1:00 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Today the people of Iraq have spoken to the world, and the world is hearing the voice of freedom from the center of the Middle East.
In great numbers, and under great risk, Iraqis have shown their commitment to democracy. By participating in free elections, the Iraqi people have firmly rejected the anti-democratic ideology of the terrorists. They have refused to be intimidated by thugs and assassins. And they have demonstrated the kind of courage that is always the foundation of self-government.
Some Iraqis were killed while exercising their rights as citizens. We also mourn the American and British military personnel who lost their lives today. Their sacrifices were made in a vital cause of freedom, peace in a troubled region, and a more secure future for us all.
The Iraqi people, themselves, made this election a resounding success. Brave patriots stepped forward as candidates. Many citizens volunteered as poll workers. More than 100,000 Iraqi security force personnel guarded polling places and conducted operations against terrorist groups. One news account told of a voter who had lost a leg in a terror attack last year, and went to the polls today, despite threats of violence. He said, "I would have crawled here if I had to. I don't want terrorists to kill other Iraqis like they tried to kill me. Today I am voting for peace."
Across Iraq today, men and women have taken rightful control of their country's destiny, and they have chosen a future of freedom and peace. In this process, Iraqis have had many friends at their side. The European Union and the United Nations gave important assistance in the election process. The American military and our diplomats, working with our coalition partners, have been skilled and relentless, and their sacrifices have helped to bring Iraqis to this day. The people of the United States have been patient and resolute, even in difficult days.
The commitment to a free Iraq now goes forward. This historic election begins the process of drafting and ratifying a new constitution, which will be the basis of a fully democratic Iraqi government. Terrorists and insurgents will continue to wage their war against democracy, and we will support the Iraqi people in their fight against them. We will continue training Iraqi security forces so this rising democracy can eventually take responsibility for its own security.
There's more distance to travel on the road to democracy. Yet Iraqis are proving they're equal to the challenge. On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Iraq on this great and historic achievement.
Thank you very much.
END 1:05 P.M. EST
Thanks for posting this...I missed the coverage.
Congratulations to President Bush, our military and the citizens of a free Iraq.
An associate of mine sent me an e mail about "don't blame me I voted for kerry."
I responded with the following:
Don't worry, you won't be blamed for the following:
-liberation of 50 million people
-first ever free elections in Afganistan
-free elections of Palestinian leader who renounces terrorism
-72 percent Iraqi voter turnout..... 72 PERCENT!!!!
You also will never be blamed for a future American President sitting down across the table from a DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED leader of Arab nations like Afganistan, Iraq and maybe even Iran, just like the vision of freedom embodied by our Presidents after WWII.
Don't worry, I won't blame you when my grandchildren participate in a free-market economy with DEMOCRATIC nations like Afganistan, Iraq and maybe even Iran and tell THEIR grandchildren of how America helped kindle the fires of freedom across the globe.
No blame will fall on you.......you are hearby cleared of all blame.
There is more I posted at The Perspective: 222.therobb7/blogspot.com
Let's start cheering, Freepers!! FREEDOM IS ON THE MARCH!!
add: 25 million WOMEN who can now express their opinion without being tortured, gang-raped, and stoned to death.
Proof positive that a picture is worth a thousand words. Thanks for posting it on this thread.
Thanks for thanking me. I've been spamming every Iraqi thread with it - thankfully, everyone appreciates it or I'd get a visit from the mods :)
Halleluiah! Thank you NonValueAdded, for posting this very important, uplifting, Historical statement.
bttt
BTTT
God Bless GWB!!!!!!!
stark, that is.
Having lived in the MidEast, I can assure you we have no idea how much courage it took for the Iraqis to go to the polls.
Everyone knows everyone in those closed societies, and the people who voted know they could be marked for death.
May the Good Lord bless them and keep them safe.
BUMP for Freedom!
I loved Brit Hume's comments on the Senior Balloon from Massachusetts' "major foreign policy speech":
"It was the intellectual equivalent of graffiti. He has got to be out of his mind to say nonsense like this. If this is the face of the Democratic Party, I predict devastation for them."
(more or less verbatim - I wrote it down live.)
OMG, that is priceless. From Brit's lips to God's ear.
It would be nice if the President did something to allow Iraqi Jews to vote. It is a shame that around the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz the US is helping an Anti-semtic government.
Great stuff. And from Bill Kristol:
"Bill Kristol: Kennedy wants President Bush to fail more than he wants freedom for the Iraqi people."
Juan Williams, of course, was rather weak in his comments, saying that it didn't vindicate the President's Iraq policy. Oh, BS. If the elections had been a disaster, it would have been a direct reflection on the Iraq policy - why is the opposite not true? Oh, that's right. He's a liberal.
When we liberated Iraq we WERE greeted with flowers and kisses. In case anyone forgot about all those images immediately following the fall of Hussein's regime, these new images of Iraqi voters with inked stained fingers should refresh their memories.
I'm having a good day. I can think of a few people who aren't (Janeanne Garafolo probaby won't bathe for at least a week).
You mean another week? :-)
Thank you, Lord, for our amazing, rock-steady, loving, giving, brave and principled visionary President George W. Bush; The Man of his times.
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