Posted on 03/13/2002 5:59:22 AM PST by FreedomWarrior
Bush Unwavering in War on Terror
G. Russell Evans
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.)
Tuesday, March 12, 2002
At regular intervals we find President Bush reassuring one audience after another that his resolve to bring justice to the terrorists responsible for the Sept. 11 massacres has not wavered.
He said from the beginning that it would take time, perhaps a long time, but that he'd see the job through. And he is doing exactly that.
'Noble and Just'
Leaning over the podium in St. Petersburg, Fla., and pointing to the parents of Sgt. Bradley S. Crose and the brother of Specialist Marc A. Anderson, he was visibly emotional as he said, "I know your heart aches, but be proud that your son and your brother died for a noble and just cause."
The president's central focus has been hunting down terrorists. He told the Florida gathering, "As long as I am president, we're going to be after them without blinking."
He has not blinked. He has moved resolutely after terrorists with our highly motivated military, headed up by straightforward Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
Successes in Afghanistan routing out the ruling Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorists have been substantial. No Osama bin Laden or Mohammed Omar yet, but of course these and other leaders may be dead, buried in the rubble, their fates never known.
Task Is Difficult
Despite the president's call for patience in this difficult task, political opponents couldn't wait, sensing some partisan advantage. So, six months into the war here come the critics and the second-guessers political "allies" and academia, after a short honeymoon during which all swore undying love and dedication.
First up was Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., whining that the war had no direction and was a failure because we'd not captured bin Laden and Mullah Omar. "We're not safe," he said, "until we've broken the back of al-Qaeda and we've not done it." He didn't offer ideas on how to accomplish that.
Later, after a storm of protests, Daschle backed off and said he didn't mean any harm to Bush's war pIans. While backing away, he also softened his scorn about the president's "axis of evil" call on Iraq, Iran and North Korea. Daschle is finding out the hard way just how popular President Bush is.
European Pals
As for our European pals and "allies," after gushes of pity in the days after Sept. 11, many now see the war on terror as a threat to them. For example, French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine calls the war "a simplism that reduces the problems of the world to the struggle against terrorism and is not thought through."
Chris Patten of the European External Relations Commission charges the United States with "unilateral overdrive" and the Bush "axis of evil" term as "deeply unhelpful."
The Europeans are obviously feeling cozy in their new interrelationship in the European Union also superior with their common market, common currency, common complacency and common scorn except in case of common disaster. Then it's a common call for another common bailout, just as generous U.S. taxpayers did during the past century after two devastating worId wars.
Except for a bit of help from the Brits, Americans are fighting the Terrorist War. Europeans prefer to find fault.
Russian 'Nyet'
The Russians also will not be signing up for the War on Terrorism against the "axis of evil," declared Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, adding, "We need to identify real dangers, not imaginary ones."
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov was even blunter: "We do not share the U.S. view that Iraq, Iran and North Korea are threats to mankind."
Sure, Iraq owes Russia $7 billion in loans, and North Korea is hardcore communist. So, what else is stale news?
Internationalists First
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, after initial sympathy, is back on the pacifist bandwagon, excusing Islamic fascism because of its "connection to the issue of sustainability" for example, "poor access to water and sanitation." He is horrified that the United States might attack Iraq as a source of terrorism.
Former President Bill Clinton, enjoying a reported $153,000 speaking fee, told the internationalists at the World Congress in Sidney, Australia, what they wanted to hear. Otherwise, why pay big money?
In typical Clinton-speak, he said this moment will pass and we should consider what people will think of us 50 years from now, adding that we should work in a "cooperative fashion." Like pardons-for-crooks prepaid?
And former President Jimmy Carter, ever the fastidious perfectionist, feels ever so bad about Bush's "axis of evil" comment. "It will take years to repair that damage," moaned Carter.
What will take years to repair, if ever, is Carter's unconstitutional surrender of the Panama Canal, now virtually controlled by the Communist Chinese.
Academia Critics
As with the Vietnam War, student anti-American protests are on the rise, 146 in 36 states so far, often egged on by radical professors. A New York theater student said, "The events of Sept. 11 were caused by years and years of U.S. imperialism."
The Palm Beach Post reported thousands of students marching in Washington protesting American military aggression, with a rally leader charging "America is the aggressor" and cheering on demonstrators burning American flags.
The Washington Times headlined "Leftist Coalition Opposes War, Rips Imperialist U.S." and reported anti-war rallies coast to coast.
Fox TV reported that Prof. Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz of the University of California had been teaching her classes that negotiation is the way to reason with terrorists. In other words, talk, not fight. She was also teaching that a "sexual component" is involved in terrorism.
Fox TV host Bill O'Reilly opined that her idea was "nutty." Even so, she has the ears of youngsters and the dough of their mommies and daddies.
Two Great Objectives
Let us be grateful for a president who does not flinch when the going gets tough or when friends and "allies" abuse us. He answers them all with a smile, simple logic and Christian forbearance. He has clearly and often declared that our nation will be steadfast, patient and persistent in pursuit of our two great objectives:
Shut down the terrorist camps, disrupt their plans and bring the terrorists to justice.
Prevent the regimes that seek chemical, biological and nuclear weapons from attacking us. That is exactly what he is doing and even shaky "allies" understand when he says, "Make no mistake: If the allies do not act, America will." Capt. Evans is a columnist and the author of five books, including "Death Knell of the Panama Canal," a study of the Chinese takeover of the canal.
Capt. Evans' columns are distributed by the Americanism Educational League of Buena Park, Calif. He lives in Norfolk, Va.
The American people had better recognize this and act accordingly before things get worse, and they had better wake their sleeping allies.
President George W. Bush's immediate and comprehensive recognition of this, its significance, and all that it means was astonishing in its brilliance.
His leadership has been worthy of Winston Churchill.
The response of President Bush to the September 11 attack was one of genius. He immediately realized what it meant: that America was at war and had no choice in the matter. His response was brilliant, decisive, and courageous.
The American people should be grateful for having this particular president in the Oval Office --David Horowitz
The American people need George Bush, but George Bush also needs the support of the American people. --David Horowitz
The American people had better give President Bush all the help and support he needs, and he needs plenty. They had also better repudiate anyone who doesn't give him the help and support he needs.
We are up against an enemy every bit as ruthless, fanatical, blood-thirsty, and determined as Adolph Hitler and his Nazis. This is not hyperbole or exaggeration. It may be even worse. Everything the Nazis did can be repeated--and probably will, if this enemy is not stopped.
Repeat this phrase over and over: Never again!
The leadership, brilliance, and courage that President Bush has displayed are worthy of Mount Rushmore.
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