Posted on 01/30/2003 3:10:19 PM PST by knighthawk
The American flag stands for more than our power and our interests. Our Founders dedicated this country to the cause of human dignity - the rights of every person and the possibilities of every life. This conviction leads us into the world to help the afflicted, and defend the peace, and confound the designs of evil men.
- - -
One-third of the way through his speech, the President turned to the issue on everyone's minds. How did he begin his call for action against Saddam Hussein? With a bellicose assertion of American might? With a wounded declaration of American pride? No. With a quiet appeal to his countrymen's ideals, to their duty: a duty to defend not only the United States, but the world. "As our Nation moves troops and builds alliances to make our world safer," he reminded his listeners, "we must also remember our calling, as a blessed country, to make this world better." Astonishing.
At this moment, much of the world, through its political leaders, insists it does not need defending. Now, many of these people are aware of the danger posed by the Iraqi regime. They know, even if they pretend they don't, that Saddam has both chemical and biological weapons, and that he has thrown everything he has into his grand ambition of acquiring nuclear weapons. They know, even if they pretend they don't, that he has multiple links with international terror, including al-Qaeda.
But many others, especially among the public at large, are not aware of this. This is not for lack of evidence; it is mostly out of ignorance. For this latter group, it is still perhaps useful to explain, as the President did at length, and as Colin Powell, his Secretary of State, will again next week, the reasons and the facts that lead the United States to believe that Saddam poses a threat to the peace -- a threat so severe he must be disarmed by force. If there were any doubt Mr. Bush was resolved to do so, last night's speech will have put that to rest.
"All free nations have a stake in preventing sudden and catastrophic attack," he declared. If others are not willing to take up the burden of the common defence, the United States would. "The course of this nation does not depend on the decisions of others. Whatever action is required, whenever action is necessary, I will defend the freedom and security of the American people."
Indeed, the President went further: "Regime change" is back. For the "brave and oppressed people of Iraq," he had this message: "Your enemy is not surrounding your country -- your enemy is ruling your country. And the day he and his regime are removed from power will be the day of your liberation." Set your clocks.
But it is that first group that remains to be persuaded. And here is the key: They cannot be persuaded by mere facts. All the evidence in the world isn't going to sway them that an attack is justified; no matter how much "proof" is discovered, they will find a way to rationalize inaction. If they can be swayed at all, it can only be by moral arguments: that it is a base and craven thing to allow a homicidal dictator to defy the world; that the credibility of the international order depends upon the credibility of U.S. foreign policy, and that both are up in smoke if we back down now.
Hence Bush declined to play the prosecutor. What we saw, rather, was Bush the idealist. He appealed, not just to Americans' fears, but to their principles. Fighting Saddam was not just self-defence. It was something higher than that.
"In the ruins of two towers, at the western wall of the Pentagon, on a field in Pennsylvania, this nation made a pledge," he said, "and we renew that pledge tonight: Whatever the duration of this struggle, and whatever the difficulties, we will not permit the triumph of violence in the affairs of men -- free people will set the course of history."
To the skeptical nations of the world, the Frances and the Germanies, he argued that America's fight is their fight. "Throughout the 20th century," he reminded them, "small groups of men seized control of great nations ... built armies and arsenals ... and set out to dominate the weak and intimidate the world.... In each case, the ambitions of Hitlerism, militarism and communism were defeated by the will of free peoples, by the strength of great alliances, and by the might of the United States of America.
"Now, in this century, the ideology of power and domination has appeared again, and seeks to gain the ultimate weapons of terror. Once again, this nation and our friends are all that stand between a world at peace and a world of chaos and constant alarm. Once again, we are called to defend the safety of our people, and the hopes of all mankind. And we accept this responsibility."
And for the name of peace, we will prevail.
The face of leadership (Bush rose to the challenge in Afghanistan and he will do the same in Iraq)
Set them indeed, for late February.
European flags could likewise stand for more than power, and interest, and ethnicity. But they would have to be prepared to put lives on the line for strangers they will never know.
Or, alternatively, they could be chess-players with the wit to see three moves ahead, and the boldness to act when others do not yet see the threat.
And have the ability to see their own self-interest in the defense of others.
As my mother might have said, "If all the countries in Europe jump in the lake, do you have to?"
Best line of the speech for me.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.