Verbatim: 'The Character Of The Struggle Has Not Changed'

IBD ^ | August 22, 2007 | President George W. Bush

[Kaslin]

Following are highlights of President Bush's speech Wednesday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention in Kansas City, Mo.

Thank you all for letting me come by. I want to open today's speech with a story that begins on a sunny morning, when thousands of Americans were murdered in a surprise attack — and our nation was propelled into a conflict that would take us to every corner of the globe.

The enemy who attacked us despises freedom, and harbors resentment at the slights he believes America and Western nations have inflicted on his people. He fights to establish his rule over an entire region. And over time, he turns to a strategy of suicide attacks destined to create so much carnage that the American people will tire of the violence and give up the fight.

If this story sounds familiar, it is — except for one thing. The enemy I have just described is not al-Qaida, and the attack is not 9/11, and the empire is not the radical caliphate envisioned by Osama bin Laden. Instead, what I've described is the war machine of Imperial Japan in the 1940s, its surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, and its attempt to impose its empire throughout East Asia.

[lonestar67]

I think every member of Free Republic who critizes President Bush on Iraq should be required to read this article before they utter even one more word.

It is a devastating historical critique of contemporary criticism of Iraq.

how people say Bush does not defend the war is absolutely mystifying.

If you are going to keep arguing that, please be sure to ignore the almost daily incredible arguments he does make in defense of the war.

[txzman]

Was a great speech today. As I worked and watched on Fox, I smiled seeing the George Bush that stepped forward courageously after 9/11. He’s been gone too long.