[Timeout]

President Bush's speech was a clarion call to these "insiders" for a revolution

You and I heard the same speech. Two more subtle aspects of the speech about which I've heard little:

The president chose an only-once-every-four-years platform to send his message. The significance of the occassion will not be lost on those who fear the world won't be with them if they dare to challenge their oppressors. The PROMINENCE of this speech at this time at this place should not go unmentioned.

There's another subtle and blatantly political aspect of this speech. It has been interesting to watch the recent transformation of the so-called "progressive" Left into a bunch of reactionaries opposed to the president's "human rights" ideals. They used to be the idealists. Now Bush is the idealist and all too often they find themselves siding with the oppressors. This speech called them out. Join us or let the world see what hypocrites you are.

The pundits say they've stopped "misunderestimating" the president. But, by giving this speech at this time, Bush has once again shown his mastery of the strategic political battleground. He's outflanked the Left and they're left sputtering and mewing about "realistic goals". It would be funny to watch if the stakes weren't so high.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I think this speech reveals a speech writer who has studied well previous presidential speeches. There is nothing new in this speech. It is a restatement of the ideals we have always stood for.

[syriacus]

It has been interesting to watch the recent transformation of the so-called "progressive" Left into a bunch of reactionaries opposed to the president's "human rights" ideals.

I like to call them the "reactionary neo-progs."

Some Democrats , like Byrd, are members of a special club, the "reaKKKtionary DemoKKKrats."