Posted on 01/03/2003 6:42:14 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl
By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2003 - There was no mistaking that America's soldiers are firmly behind their commander in chief during a presidential visit to the Army's Fort Hood, Texas, today.
The troops there interrupted President Bush's short speech no less than 24 times with that unique Army seal of approval -- "Hooah!"
Bush spoke to troops from the "great 1st Cavalry Division" and "the mighty 4th Infantry Division" before having lunch with soldiers during a noontime visit.
The president noted 1,300 Fort Hood soldiers are deployed in various locations overseas and another 1,600 are preparing to go.
"In the months ahead, more soldiers from Fort Hood may be given other essential missions," Bush said. "But wherever you serve or wherever you may be sent, you can know that America is grateful and your commander in chief is confident in your abilities and proud of your service."
(Lots of hooahs here.)
Bush reminded the soldiers why America is fighting a war against terrorism. "(The terrorists) don't value innocent life. They're nothing but a bunch of cold-blooded killers, and that's the way we're going to treat them," he said to rounds of hooahs. "They reach across oceans to target the innocent. They seek weapons of mass murder on a massive scale. The terrorists will not be stopped by mercy or by conscience, but they will be stopped.
"And they will be stopped by the will and the might of the United States of America," he said. The continuing roars of approval -- "Hooah! Hooah!" -- were deafening.
Bush outlined the military's successes in Afghanistan and spoke of the challenges ahead in dealing with other rogue regimes.
"In the case of North Korea, the world must continue to speak with one voice to turn that regime away from its nuclear weapons," he said.
Iraq is a "grave threat" to the United States and its allies. The president ticked off a list of things that prove the level of this threat: Saddam Hussein has publicly declared his hatred for America; Iraq has a record for torturing its own people and of aggression against its neighbors; Iraq has used weapons of mass destruction.
"That's why I say Iraq is a threat, a real threat," Bush said. Still, the president said, he hopes Iraq changes course and complies with U.N resolutions mandating the country's disarmament.
But, if not, "America will act deliberately; America will act decisively; and America will prevail because we've got the finest military in the world. (Paroxysms of hooahs.) We are ready," Bush said, over the hooahs. "We're prepared, and should the United States be compelled to act, our troops will be acting in the finest traditions of America."
Related Sites of Interest:
AFRTS Radio Report: President Bush thanks the troops at Ft. Hood AFRTS Radio Report: President Bush: Iraq has chosen defiance over peace 
AFRTS TV Report: President Bush thanks, praises troops at Fort Hood, says crucial hours may lie ahead AFRTS TV Report: President tells Fort Hood soldiers success of America's cause depends on them
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On this day in 1943, Allied forces report that they have retaken most of New Guinea, and the remaining Japanese resistance on the island is trapped in "hopeless" positions.
"In crucial hours, the success of our cause will depend upon you. As members of our military, you serve this nation's ideals and you demonstrate those ideals in your code and in your character. As Commander-in-Chief, I have come to know the men and women who wear America's uniform. I have seen your love of country and your devotion to a cause larger than yourself. I have seen your discipline, your idealism, and your sense of honor. I know that every order I give can bring a cost. I also know without a doubt that every order I give will be carried out with skill and unselfish courage.
"Some crucial hours may lie ahead. We know the challenges and the dangers we face. If this generation of Americans is ready, we accept the burden of leadership, we act in the cause of peace and freedom. And in that cause, we will prevail."
BTW, I pinged you on some Edwards' threads. Our worst fears realized. And I am living it LIVE here in Raleigh; the TV stations have gone 24/7.
Here in the D.C. suburbs also. Even the Gephardt announcement caused only a minor blip. Senator Dr. Frist's great work on the accident victims got a tiny fraction of the radio news time that has been devoted to Edwards.
I think we need to find three of his most disgusting votes and publicize them. I also think that gated community is a photo-op waiting to happen.
They must be overjoyed....one of them. Slimeballs, I mean.
Shudder. The Rats have no one competent to serve in the cabinet. We would see a combination of Clintonista and Carter retreads. Yikes!
This smarmy "Follower" has nothing to offer and has nothing to campaign on. Those who want to compare him to the "Bent one" are not doing their homework. X42 was a governor and was in the public arena for 16 years before he succesfully set this nation back 100 years after 8 years as the POTUS.
John Edwards is an ego-maniac who thinks he is something he's not.
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