Posted on 01/11/2006 5:45:41 PM PST by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2006 – Establishing democracy to replace the tyranny Iraqis endured under Saddam Hussein will assist in defeating terrorists operating there and elsewhere, President Bush said today in Louisville, Ky.
Long-term victory against global terrorists will be achieved "by defeating the hopelessness and despair that these killers exploit, with a system that is open and hopeful," Bush said during a question-and-answer session following his remarks given at the Kentucky International Convention Center.
"And the only such system is a free system," Bush said.
Bush said he has confidence in the ability of the world's peoples to practice self-government. Some doubted, he said, that post-World War II Japan would be able to change from its centuries-old, imperial system to a democracy.
Yet, today Japan is a powerful -- and democratic -- ally of the United States, Bush said.
Parts of the Middle East became an incubator for terrorists, Bush said, because of governments like Saddam's now-defunct regime that brutally oppressed the Iraqi people.
"I do know that tyrants breed resentment and hatred," Bush said. Such oppressive environments can become a breeding ground for terrorist groups which fan and exploit the frustrations of the population for their own ends.
Democratic governments -- including the separation of church and state -- didn't exist in Asia until the emergence of post-war Japan, Bush said.
"That is why the constitution written in Iraq is an important constitution," Bush said, "because it separates church and state for the first time in a modern-day constitution in Iraq."
And, "the Iraqi example is going to spread" across the Middle East, the president said.
Bush said Islamic radicals who meld religion and government into one entity fear the spread of democracy across the Middle East and elsewhere in the world. That's because democracy, unlike the theocracies envisioned by the terrorists, promotes the separation of church and state and respects human rights.
"And those thoughts frighten the enemy," Bush said.
The President's Speech in Kentucky Today.
My only complaint is that he should say "a Republican Iraq."
And the arab theftocracies will come crashing down, as sure as the commie's crumbled when the Berlin wall went down. The emporer had no clothes.
I wish I could share your optimism.
Couldn't he have said Republican rather than Democratic? Not the same as Democrat, but close enough to confuse the citizens of the new republic.
Only a VERY small handful of people shared Reagan's optimism about the Soviet empire being put on the ashheap of history. Not many share Bush's vision for a peaceful and productive ME. I do. I know too many peaceful and productive muslims (arabs and Iranians) living in the USA to doubt their ability to get their shit together. It just takes a catalyst.
I saw part of his speech and Q&A session this morning on Fox, and Pres. Bush was just great! He was calm, confident, and articulate, and handled the questions very well. He loves interacting with people, and it shows. A good thing in a president!
Can we send them Teddy (hic!), putzhead Schumer, Hitlery,
Leaky Leahy, Feinswine and Boxer?
"Only a VERY small handful of people shared Reagan's optimism about the Soviet empire being put on the ashheap of history. Not many share Bush's vision for a peaceful and productive ME. I do. I know too many peaceful and productive muslims (arabs and Iranians) living in the USA to doubt their ability to get their shit together. It just takes a catalyst."
Reagan was right. Bush is right.
Democracy is spreading across the globe like a wildfire. Historically speaking its very new really. And it is continuing to expand.......
democratic peace clock.............
http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/DP.CLOCK.HTM
What is the democratic peace?
It is the web of factual propositions that:
Democracies do not make war on each other.
The more two nations are democratic, the less their mutual violence.
Democracies have the least foreign violence.
Democracies have, by far, the least internal violence.
Modern democracies have virtually no democide (genocide and mass murder)
Putting all this together, democracy is a method of nonviolence. And therefore, the democratic peace.
A defeated, humbled, respectful Iraq will help defeat ISLAMIC terrorism.
Well, Duh!
"That is why the constitution written in Iraq is an important constitution," Bush said, "because it separates church and state for the first time in a modern-day constitution in Iraq."
And, "the Iraqi example is going to spread" across the Middle East, the president said
Thanks for the ping!
BTTT
GWB is the Man ~ Bump!
Thanks for the ping.
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