Andrew Sullivan: The speech

andrewsullivan.com ^ | 09/20/2001 | Andrew Sullivan

[Pokey78]

Nothing since Reagan has been as good in presidential oratory.

The president's speech writers crafted a luminescent call to arms. It was measured without being weak; it was moving without a trace of melodrama; it was stirring without being jingoist. And there was something about the president's demeanor that suggested to me at last that he knows why he got this office.

To speak of his growth at this point would be to condescend. He gets it. He means it. He knows what this war is fundamentally about.

My cherished moment was when he rightly described this threat - and its twisted ideology - with the other great evils that have threatened freedom in the last century and before. "The unmarked grave of discarded lies" is a phrase that resonates deeply and truly.

God bless the man and the country he finally indisuptably leads.

[JohnHuang2]

Re: #12 -- agree.

[madison46]

As torturous as it may be, the thought isn't troubling. TampaJim had some GREAT pics. Jill on the swing was great.

Anyway, this is OT so I'll TITTQ !! ;-)

RTR

[onyx]

Our President Bush is an honest man. God Bless President Bush.

[Don Joe]

"Thank God we were not listening to President Gore tonight. Isn't that a frightening thought!"

Let's see how it might have gone, shall we?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Persons of another culture have let us know that they do not agree with some of our policies. In order to better examine why they are so upset with us, I have appointed an "Understanding Commission", and tasked it with doing whatever is necessary to help us examine this situation in proper perspective.

Before we can try to explain our way of life to these international citizens, we need to understand precisely what it is that the republican congress has done to offend them.

Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah...

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ugh, I gotta stop before I make myself vomit.

[The Truth Will Make You Free]

Our President Bush is an honest man.

That simple statement hits the nail on the head. When he speaks, you don't wonder why he's saying it. When he's choked up, you don't wonder if it's a camera shoot.

[Don Joe]

"Communism is totalitarianism."

Yeah, and nazism is fascism -- but, it got separate mention.

The absence of the c-word was deafening.

[sinkspur]

The absence of the c-word was deafening.

I'll bet not.

[savedbygrace]

Uh, maybe you missed the point. This was a list of the twisted governments that fell into "The unmarked grave of discarded lies." Communism isn't dead yet. It's lies haven't been discarded yet.

Do try to pay attention.

[kmiller1k]

OK, who is Jill?

[Storm Orphan]

Sullivan nailed it.

The only thing missing from the ultimatums to the Talibans was a hard deadline.

I know Bush will move fast as possible - I just want a countdown to look forward to.

[ChocChipCookie]

Tonight we saw a man grow to the stature of the awesome office in which he has been entrusted. After 8 years of a diminished presidency it was a moving and inspiring thing to see it's occupant elevate the highest office.

I do believe that President Bush continues to gain in stature with each passing day, whereas Bubba became a smaller and smaller man the longer we knew him.

[Theresa]

"Communism is totalitarianism."

Right. I always agree with every one of your posts. Are you my long lost twin or what?

[mrustow]

ROTFLMAO!

[Plummz]

Yes, but wouldn't have been nice if he had indicated some kind of intention to do so?

[savedbygrace]

He's trying to put SOME limit on the number of ememies we're going after simultaneously. China and Cuba will just have to wait their turn.

[madison46]

Jill Arington. CBS sideline sports reporter. Does college football games. One VERY good looking woman!!

[Hugh Akston]

I would have liked to have heard Marxism listed there too, but then, I can't think of too many Marxist/Communist regimes that have not been totalitarian. Maybe a few are, but the vast majority have not been.

[Plummz]

Sure, but he named both fascism and Nazism, and Nazism is a fascism, and fascism is a totalitarianism. It seems to be he chickened out because of perceived geopolitical ramifications, and that's a shame.

[Poincare]

Small wonder that Hillary(TM) grimaced and sneered during the speech. Clinton who??

[Poincare]

State Marxism is totalitarianism. Bush included Stalinism, Leninism and Maoism without insulting possible allies.