Bush's "radicalism" echoes throughout American history

Chris Matthews called Bush’s speech “frightening.” Jeff Greenfield said it was “startling.” But was bush really that far out of the mainstream of other inaugural addresses?

”Across the generations we have proclaimed the imperative of self-government, because no one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave. Advancing these ideals is the mission that created our Nation. It is the honorable achievement of our fathers. Now it is the urgent requirement of our nation's security, and the calling of our time.” – BUSH

“The passion for freedom is on the rise. Tapping this new spirit, there can be no nobler nor more ambitious task for America to undertake on this day of a new beginning than to help shape a just and peaceful world that is truly humane.” – JIMMY CARTER

”So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.” – BUSH

“Because we are free we can never be indifferent to the fate of freedom elsewhere. Our moral sense dictates a clearcut preference for these societies which share with us an abiding respect for individual human rights.” – CARTER

“There are men who believe that democracy is limited or measured … and that freedom is an ebbing tide.” – FDR

”And all the allies of the United States can know: we honor your friendship, we rely on your counsel, and we depend on your help. Division among free nations is a primary goal of freedom's enemies. The concerted effort of free nations to promote democracy is a prelude to our enemies' defeat.” – BUSH

“To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do—for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.” – JFK

”There is only one force of history that can break the reign of hatred and resentment, and expose the pretensions of tyrants, and reward the hopes of the decent and tolerant, and that is the force of human freedom.” – BUSH

“No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.” – REAGAN

All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you. Democratic reformers facing repression, prison, or exile can know: America sees you for who you are: the future leaders of your free country. – BUSH

“We are aided by all who wish to live in freedom from fear -- even by those who live today in fear under their own governments. We are aided by all who want relief from lies and propaganda, those who desire truth and sincerity. We are aided by all who desire self-government and a voice in deciding their own affairs.” TRUMAN

The great objective of ending tyranny is the concentrated work of generations. The difficulty of the task is no excuse for avoiding it. America's influence is not unlimited, but fortunately for the oppressed, America's influence is considerable, and we will use it confidently in freedom's cause.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty. – JFK

Renewed in our strength - tested, but not weary - we are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom. -- BUSH

But I say to all men, what we have achieved in liberty, we will surpass in greater liberty. --TRUMAN

So, Chris Matthews says the Inaugural Address is "frightening" and Jeff Greenfield thinks it's "startling," well, guess what?

They just open the door to full view of their ignorance of America's founding philosophy as expressed by those who made this "miracle" possible!

As I wrote on another thread concerning Peggy Noonan's "too much God" comment (one who should know better):

Thank goodness, Washington, the Adamses, Jefferson, Madison, Jay, Franklin, et al didn't have to ask today's pundits about including references to the "Creator," "Governor of the Universe," "Divine Providence," "Nature's God," "Supreme Judge," or the "Author" of liberty, or any of the other terms they used to acknowledge the Source of rights and liberty.

Bush's Second Inaugural is reminiscent of speeches of America's Founding Period, and one of the profound ideas he expressed sounded like the following quotation from Thomas Jefferson's very last letter in 1826. It comes from the UVA Jefferson Cyclopedia:

7628. RIGHTS OF MAN, Recognition of...

"All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by. . . ."

TITLE: To Roger C. Weightman. EDITION: Washington ed. vii, 450. EDITION: Ford ed., x, 391. PLACE: Monticello DATE: June 24, 1826

As for another of Noonan's claims, there is an ancient book which admonishes:

"Without a vision, the people perish." Is it just possible that an "over the top" vision is what our cynical age needs? Surely, America's Founders, as well as those who preceded them to this land, were dreamers with vision.

As early as 1758, Nathaniel Ames envisioned an America where "arts and sciences will change the face of nature in their tour from hence over the Apalachian Mountains to the Western Ocean..." He continued:

"O ye unborn inhabitants of America! Should this page escape the destined conflagration at the year's end, and these alphabetical letters remain legible,--when your eyes behold the sun after he has rolled the season round for two or three centuries more, you will know that in Anno Domini, 1758, we dreamed of your times." - (Ames Almanac, 1758, as recorded in Richard Frothingham's "Rise of the Republic of the United States," Little, Brown and Company, 1881)

Clinton 1992 Inaugural Address

To renew America, we must meet challenges abroad as well at home. There is no longer division between what is foreign and what is domestic[snip]
Clearly America must continue to lead the world we did so much to make.[snip]
When our vital interests are challenged, or the will and conscience of the international community is defied, we will act—with peaceful diplomacy when ever possible, with force when necessary[snip]
Our hopes, our hearts, our hands, are with those on every continent who are building democracy and freedom
The scripture says, "And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not."

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