However, my point about pounding the history remains valid. Military officers know the subject. But the American press, never having served (mostly) and being poorly educated in history (almost all of them) DO need to be forced to consider that subject. And any Presidential speech CAN force the issue on them.
John / Billybob
Yes, I read your comments after I made my post. Unfortunately, I think your valid points on "pounding the history" are obscured by your opening shot concerning the lack of the applause. And while I agree that an emphasis on history will help clarify our mission in Iraq and elsewhere, I have absolutely no faith that the press has any interest in recieving a lesson in that subject. Again, my time spent in the military has provided an absolutely clear platform to judge the objectivity and agenda of the overwhelming majority of our press corps. Lack of education is not a problem. Lack of integrity and journalistic standards are what needs to change. The President can and should force the issue, but for most of the media, he may as well be speaking into a dead line. Time well tell if he is able to get the message out in other ways. Perhaps your article is a start.