Radio Address by the President to the Nation, 08-16-08

WhiteHouse.gov ^ | 08-16-08 | George W. Bush

[Salvation]

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 15, 2008

President's Radio Address

  President's Radio Address
  Audio
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      In Focus: Global Diplomacy

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. For more than a week, the people of the nation of Georgia have withstood assault from the Russian military. The world has watched with alarm as Russia invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatened a democratic government elected by its people. This act is completely unacceptable to the free nations of the world.

The United States and our allies stand with the people of Georgia and their democratically elected government. We insist that Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity be respected. And Moscow must honor its pledge to withdraw its invading forces from all Georgian territory.

 

Earlier this week I directed a series of steps to demonstrate America's solidarity with the Georgian people and to help bring about a peaceful resolution of the conflict. On Thursday, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was in France, where she conferred with President Sarkozy about the diplomatic effort that the French government is leading on behalf of the European Union.

Yesterday, she was in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, where she conveyed America's support for Georgia's democratic government. And next week, Secretary Rice will travel to Brussels, where she will meet with the foreign ministers of our NATO allies and EU officials to continue our efforts to rally the free world in defense of a free Georgia.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is overseeing a mission by the United States military to provide humanitarian aid for the people of Georgia. In recent days, U.S. cargo planes carrying humanitarian supplies have arrived in Georgia. In the days ahead, we will continue using U.S. aircraft and other assets as needed to deliver more humanitarian and medical supplies. Russia has agreed to let in all forms of humanitarian assistance, and Russia must keep open all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, airports, roads, and airspace for civilian transit and the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Some Americans listening today may wonder why events taking place in a small country halfway around the world matter to the United States. In the years since it gained independence after the Soviet Union's collapse, Georgia has become a courageous democracy whose people are making the tough choices that are required of free societies.

Since the Rose Revolution in 2003, the Georgian people have held free elections, opened up their economy, and built the foundations of a successful democracy. Georgia has sent troops to Afghanistan and Iraq to help others achieve the liberty that they struggled so hard to attain. To further strengthen their democracy, Georgia has sought to join the free institutions of the West. The people of Georgia have cast their lot with the free world, and we will not cast them aside.

Georgia's emergence as a young democracy has been part of an inspiring and hopeful new chapter in Europe's history. Europe has moved beyond the world wars that killed millions of people and the Cold War that divided its citizens between two superpowers. For the first time in memory, Europe is becoming a continent that is whole, free, and at peace. And it is essential that America and other free nations ensure that an embattled democracy seeking to stand with us remains sovereign, secure, and undivided.

Russia's actions in Georgia raise serious questions about its role and its intentions in the Europe of the 21st century. In recent years, Russia has sought to integrate into the diplomatic, political, economic, and security structures of the West. The United States has supported those efforts. Now Russia has put its aspirations at risk by taking actions in Georgia that are inconsistent with the principles of those institutions.

To begin to repair the damage to its relations with the United States, Europe, and other nations, and to begin restoring its place in the world, Russia must act to end this crisis.

Thank you for listening.

 

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[Salvation]

I just saw Bush and Rice from Crawford. Evidently Russia has signed a cease-fire agreement also.

Bush was very deliberate — said it three times (I think) that South Osettia and the other country are within Georgia’s borders and part of Georgia.

Hooray for the President.

[Salvation]

Meanwhile Obamanation is still vacationing in Hawaii. LOL!

[ricmc2175]

Meanwhile the Russian thugs and their “militias” continue to loot, rob and pillage while Bush talks. Reagan destroyed the Soviets Union by being strong; Bush-Gates-Rice are weak. Gates’ “45 years” were the 45 years when we cowered in the face of the Soviet threat and allowed millions to die. We have now returned to that failed policy. “ When the sands are all dry, he is gay as a lark. And will talk in contemptuous tones of the Shark: But, when the tide rises and the sharks are around, His voice has a timid and tremulous sound.” - Alice's Recitation by Lewis Carroll

[DrDeb]

Ah yes, more adolescent bravado from a BDS-suffering keyboard commando.

[FYI 1: During Reagan’s second term, the uber rightwing criticized him incessantly for going ‘soft’ on the USSR. FYI 2: The Cold War took DECADES to ‘win’; and oh by-the- way, the ‘wall’ actually fell on Bush 41’s watch (a fact conveniently overlooked by today’s uber rightwing)!!]

[DrDeb]

THANK YOU for posting the President’s radio address!

[maica]

Russia’s actions in Georgia raise serious questions about its role and its intentions in the Europe of the 21st century.

*****

It also puts our relationship to Russia in the space program into serious conflict.

[Salvation]

I had not even considered the space program. Yikes!

[ricmc2175]

Leftist tripe argumentum ad hominem. It would not have taken decades if Patton had been turned loose or if we had been willing to finish the job after WWI, IMHO. By the way, leftists and their fellow travelers are also responsible for us not finishing the job in South East Asia, IMHO. I was an 11-B 10 in that one.

[DrDeb]

. . . argumentum ad ignorantiam!

Beyond the fact that the Cold War took decades to ‘win’ and that ‘win’ occurred on Bush 41’s watch, President Reagan’s actions in Lebanon provide an indication as to how he would have reacted to a Georgia-esque incursion during his tenure. [FYI: I was and am a big fan of President Reagan’s presidency; however, deifying him/his administration/his ‘war record for the purpose of hammering the current President Bush is a disservice to both men!]

BTW: Thank you for your service! I’m a STAUNCH supporter of our military (and our mission in the Middle East) and have numerous citations and certificates of appreciation (along with medallions and challenge coins/service patches) to prove it. And I KNOW the vast majority of our troopers love and respect their Commander-in-Chief — as do I!

[ricmc2175]

Rhetorically and Logically challenged I see.

Post Hoc is not Propter Hoc. 9/11 occurred after I enter my office on that day. I did not cause same.

Argumentum ad ignorantum is asserting that which has been proven false or asserting as true that which has not yet been proven true as if the lack of proof made it true. I did neither. Thus you managed two fallacies and one misstatement of fact in just two paragraphs.

For the record, I am not glorifying Reagan, I am denigrating BushII.It is not a disservice to anyone to speak the truth. It's repression is IMHO the ultimate evil. I am pleased you have certificates. I'll see your certificates and raise you medals, a disability pension, 10 months in Walter Reed and an infallible ability to predict rain with knees.

[DrDeb]

“Reagan destroyed the Soviets Union by being strong” . . . my Lebanon comment stands.

“Post Hoc is not Propter Hoc” . . . Really; who’d have thunk it?! BTW: Bush 41 was working hard to win the Cold War before, during and after Reagan.

“It is not a disservice to anyone to speak the truth” . . . I notice that you used the small ‘t’ vs the capital ‘T’ — I’m certain you know what that means . . .’nuf said.

“. . . a disability pension, 10 months in Walter Reed” . . . I’ve met double amputees with more humility than you (and more wisdom). [FYI: I’ve spent quadruple the amount of time in the hospital and refuse to go on disability.]

Don’t bother to respond; I have wasted enough time on this pointless tit for pathetically little tat ‘conversation’.

[ricmc2175]

Stupidity and orders. Your rank amazes.