QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Bush Addresses American Legion National Convention
Salt Palace Convention Center
Salt Lake City, Utah
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Please be seated. Thanks for the warm welcome. It's great to join you here in one of America's most beautiful cities. I appreciate your hospitality. I'm proud to stand before some of our country's finest patriots, our veterans and their families. (Applause.) And I'm pleased to call you my fellow Legionnaires -- (applause) -- I suspect I may be the only one here, though, from Post 77, Houston, Texas. That's what I thought. (Laughter.) If you're from Post 77, behave yourself here in Salt Lake. (Laughter.)
Laura did remind me the other night, though, that a few of my fellow members -- at least I've joined a few of my fellow members in another illustrious organization, the "Over 60 Club." (Laughter.)
For almost 90 years, Legionnaires have stood proudly "for God and country." (Applause.) From big cities to small towns, the American Legion name brings to mind the best of our nation -- decency, generosity, and character. (Applause.) I thank you for a lifetime of service. I thank you for the positive contributions you make to our nation, and I'm proud to join you today.
The war we fight today is more than a military conflict; it is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century. (Applause.) On one side are those who believe in the values of freedom and moderation -- the right of all people to speak, and worship, and live in liberty. And on the other side are those driven by the values of tyranny and extremism -- the right of a self-appointed few to impose their fanatical views on all the rest. As veterans, you have seen this kind of enemy before. They're successors to Fascists, to Nazis, to Communists, and other totalitarians of the 20th century. And history shows what the outcome will be: This war will be difficult; this war will be long; and this war will end in the defeat of the terrorists and totalitarians, and a victory for the cause of freedom and liberty. (Applause.)
We're now approaching the fifth anniversary of the day this war reached our shores. As the horror of that morning grows more distant, there is a tendency to believe that the threat is receding and this war is coming to a close. That feeling is natural and comforting -- and wrong. As we recently saw, the enemy still wants to attack us. We're in a war we didn't ask for, but it's a war we must wage, and a war we will win. (Applause.)
In the coming days, I'll deliver a series of speeches describing the nature of our enemy in the war on terror, the insights we've gained about their aims and ambitions, the successes and setbacks we've experienced, and our strategy to prevail in this long war. Today, I'll discuss a critical aspect of this war: the struggle between freedom and terror in the Middle East, including the battle in Iraq, which is the central front in our fight against terrorism.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
President George W. Bush greets audience members during his visit to the 88th Annual American Legion National Convention in Salt Lake City Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006. White House photo by Eric Draper
hi
top 5?
Dose going up please wait for all clear before posting or reposting any photos or graphics
*sigh*
Wish that was me getting a big ole hug from the Prez! I heard that he smells good! :D
That first picture is really great! How come I wasn't there darn it all! :_)
Those two blonde women really like the president! (Republican women are better looking than dems!)
You were wonderful today, W!!!
Off to have dinner...back in a while.
Thanks for the Dose, snugs!
Happy Anniversary to the Cheneys!
I'm so jealous! I wish that was me!
Love that group hug in photo #1.
Howdy snugs, it was a great speech today, Thanks for the "Dose"
Then
Now
Happy Anniversary and many more!
"On the Side"
"Other side"
"Both sides"
Sorry to be late to the dose - pant, pant, trying to catch up with all the posts. Many thanks, as always Snugs, for the wonderful pics. I really like the one of Pres. Bush hugging the pretty ladies - the lamestream media and the looney left may claim he's not doing well with the public, but people clearly are delighted to be with him wherever he goes. Great speech today, and I look forward to more. Thanks again.
So lovely, so loving, so sweet!!