Radio Address of the President to the Nation

whitehouse.gov ^ | Sept. 15, 2001 | Pres. George W. Bush

[aristeides]

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This weekend I am engaged in extensive sessions with members of my National Security Council, as we plan a comprehensive assault on terrorism. This will be a different kind of conflict against a different kind of enemy.

This is a conflict without battlefields or beachheads, a conflict with opponents who believe they are invisible. Yet, they are mistaken. They will be exposed, and they will discover what others in the past have learned: Those who make war against the United States have chosen their own destruction. Victory against terrorism will not take place in a single battle, but in a series of decisive actions against terrorist organizations and those who harbor and support them.

We are planning a broad and sustained campaign to secure our country and eradicate the evil of terrorism. And we are determined to see this conflict through. Americans of every faith and background are committed to this goal.

Yesterday I visited the site of the destruction in New York City and saw an amazing spirit of sacrifice and patriotism and defiance. I met with rescuers who have worked past exhaustion, who cheered for our country and the great cause we have entered.

In Washington, D.C., the political parties and both Houses of Congress have shown a remarkable unity, and I'm deeply grateful. A terrorist attack designed to tear us apart has instead bound us together as a nation. Over the past few days, we have learned much about American courage -- the courage of firefighters and police officers who suffered so great a loss, the courage of passengers aboard United 93 who may well have fought with the hijackers and saved many lives on the ground.

Now we honor those who died, and prepare to respond to these attacks on our nation. I will not settle for a token act. Our response must be sweeping, sustained and effective. We have much do to, and much to ask of the American people.

You will be asked for your patience; for, the conflict will not be short. You will be asked for resolve; for, the conflict will not be easy. You will be asked for your strength, because the course to victory may be long.

In the past week, we have seen the American people at their very best everywhere in America. Citizens have come together to pray, to give blood, to fly our country's flag. Americans are coming together to share their grief and gain strength from one another.

Great tragedy has come to us, and we are meeting it with the best that is in our country, with courage and concern for others. Because this is America. This is who we are. This is what our enemies hate and have attacked. And this is why we will prevail.

Thank you for listening.

END

[aristeides]

From Winston Churchill's first address to the House of Commons as prime minister of May 13, 1940:

I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government: "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat."

We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. Let that be realised; no survival for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that mankind will move forward towards its goal. But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, "come then, let us go forward together with our united strength."

[Darlin']

Ping. :) The President needs our help.

[TERMINATTOR]

>> Sorry bud, but you just can't use the New Testament to justify vengeance and violence toward our enemnies. You'll need to find something else.

Sorry bud, but the bible says otherwise.

Ephesians 6:11-13 --Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil;

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

[Darlin']

Amen to that !

[princess leah]

Atleast we know that those 18 terrorists on board the 4 planes sent themselves straight to hell sooner rather than later...Now they have found out that Allah IS NOT the final authority and they'll spend an eternity burning over it!

[aristeides]

Thanks for the link.

[Miss Marple]

This was actually quoted in Barbara Olson's service this morning by the priest, and in the same context as you have used it. We must, indeed, put on the whole armor of God.

[JimRed]

"You'll need to find something else."

We must forgive them, pray for their redemption and with great regret eliminate them from the face of the earth.

[NeoCaveman]

We should try to find it in our hearts to pray for their souls; but make no mistake their a@@es belong to Uncle Sam.

[Professional]

I forgive them. After we have destroyed them and blown them to bits. Forgiveness comes AFTER punishment. The punishement is DEATH.

You, Clinton, his followers seem to think that sin comes without punishment. Wrongo!

[Dolphy]

The thought of Al Gore, overwhelmed by what color suit to wear and what tone of voice to assume, frightens me beyond belief. I am full of fear at what lies ahead but I cannot think of a better team for the President to lead...the steely resolve of Rice, Cheney and Rumsfeld with Powell to make nice with the allies as the coalition is built.

[NeoCaveman]

Got to love that President
We are blest to have him at this time.

[aristeides]

Well, Gephardt is now speaking on C-SPAN radio, in support of Pres. Bush. So "response" is probably not the right word to describe it.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank God for President Bush. He is determined to see this through and he deserves nothing less than our complete support. The country deserves nothing less. Now is not the time for lame RINO compromises nor a doubt spinning media. Be patient, be resolute, be strong for if it is worth having, it is worth doing right.

Dittos from Rowlett, Texas, Darlin'!

What a most refreshing change!

Please Support President Bush!

[aristeides]

No, it turns out it's not a response by Gephardt to the president's radio address, it's him speaking on the House floor yesterday.

[habs4ever]

Oh, he's good, really good.The confidence and determination he shows is fantastic.What a leader he has become.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

The grownups are in charge.

[aristeides]

Bush Senior was said to have little use for speechwriters, and it showed. George W. Bush has apparently chosen inspired speechwriters. Although I suspect he had a large part in the drafting of this himself -- he admires Churchill, and that now shows.

[aristeides]

Great picture! Who are the two guys behind Colin Powell?

[habs4ever]

These guys won't go wobbly.We are thankful for people of such calibre.