Bush Challenges Nation to Promote Freedom by Supporting Troops

American Forces Press Service ^ | Donna Miles

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, March 21, 2006 – The best way for the American people to promote freedom and liberty around the world is to stand behind the U.S. armed forces, President Bush told a group yesterday at the City Club of Cleveland. Bush said it's his responsibility as president to ensure the public understands why the United States is waging the war on terror and why it's important to stay the course. "And so I will continue making the case. ... But the best way you can help is to support our troops," he told a questioner in the audience at the free speech forum.

"You find a family who's got a child in the United States military, tell them you appreciate them. Ask them if you can help them," the president said. "You see somebody wearing a uniform, you walk up and say, 'Thanks for serving the country.'"

Bush praised the men and women who are sacrificing for the nation's long-term security. "Ours is a remarkable country where we've got thousands of people signing up, volunteering for the United States military, many of them after September the 11th, knowing full well what they were signing up for," he said.

"And what's amazing about our military is that retention rates are high; people are still signing up," he said. "They want to ... defend the country. And for that, I am grateful."

To one member of the audience whose son is a Marine, the president said, "You tell him the commander in chief is proud of him." Then, laughing, he added, "You tell him to listen to his mother, too."

While the American people support the troops, Bush said his job is to lay out the strategy for victory in Iraq so people understand and accept it and "to connect the notion of liberty with peace." It's a concept he said not everyone is able to accept, because they seem to believe that some people simply can't be free and govern themselves.

But Bush said he disagrees. "I strongly believe that liberty is universal. I believe in the natural rights of men and women. That was part of our founding," he said. "And if you believe in that, if you believe in the universality of freedom, then I believe those of us who are free have an obligation to help others become free."

Bringing freedom and security to Iraq can't be viewed without the context of the broader war on terror, the president said. "It's just a part of the war on terror. It's a theater in the war on terror, (just as) Afghanistan was a theater," he said. "We're in a global battle which requires strong alliances, good cooperation and a constant reminder of the nature of this war."

[SandRat]

Transcript of President Bush's Remarks

[SandRat]

President Bush Challenges All of America - SUPPORT THE TROOPS!

[Just A Nobody]

"You tell him the commander in chief is proud of him."

I loved it when he said this.

[AmericanRepublican]

"The best way for the American people to promote freedom and liberty around the world is to stand behind the U.S. armed forces..."

Uh... yeah...

Shame we have to keep reminding everyone...

[Just A Nobody]

Yes it is. Especially trying to explain to the morons that say they support the troops, but not the mission.

DEFEND THE DEFENDERS!

[StarCMC]

The best way for the American people to promote freedom and liberty around the world is to stand behind the U.S. armed forces

Yes, I am bashing people over the head with that. Some folks around here need it.

[Calpernia]

"You find a family who's got a child in the United States military, tell them you appreciate them. Ask them if you can help them," the president said. "You see somebody wearing a uniform, you walk up and say, 'Thanks for serving the country.'"

Bush praised the men and women who are sacrificing for the nation's long-term security. "Ours is a remarkable country where we've got thousands of people signing up, volunteering for the United States military, many of them after September the 11th, knowing full well what they were signing up for," he said.

"And what's amazing about our military is that retention rates are high; people are still signing up," he said. "They want to ... defend the country. And for that, I am grateful."

[betsyross1776]

I get out my support the troops ribbon . It is six foot and a blow up, I am proud to put it up in my yard anytime my president asks me to. You bet I love my troops, and a great big thank you from the ol ross and the family. My husband was in the service and there are many service men in my family ,to the troops of free republic, WE ALL LOVE YOU, COME HOME SAFE, AND VICTORIOUS!

[spinestein]

[The best way for the American people to promote freedom and liberty around the world is to stand behind the U.S. armed forces, President Bush told a group yesterday at the City Club of Cleveland. Bush said it's his responsibility as president to ensure the public understands why the United States is waging the war on terror and why it's important to stay the course.]



Imagine President Roosevelt having to say that in 1944 about the Axis.

I guess this is how far we've come since the "Greatest Generation" that we now think a war against fascism is supposed to be like a computer video game, over in a few days, and any mistakes can be undone in real time by liberal use of the "reload/quicksave" button.

[Right_in_Virginia]

BTTT

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT