Listen to the Remarks
The Taliban's War Against Women and ChildrenPosted on 11/17/2001 7:06:19 AM PST by MeekOneGOP
For Immediate Release
Office of the Mrs. Bush
November 17, 2001
Radio Address by Laura Bush to the Nation
Crawford, Texas
Listen to the RemarksThe Taliban's War Against Women and Children
Laura Bush: Good morning. I'm Laura Bush, and I'm delivering this week's radio address to kick off a world-wide effort to focus on the brutality against women and children by the al-Qaida terrorist network and the regime it supports in Afghanistan, the Tablian. That regime is now in retreat across much of the country, and the people of Afghanistan - especially women - are rejoicing. Afghan women know, through hard experience, what the rest of the world is discovering: The brutal oppression of women is a central goal of the terrorists. Long before the current war began, the Taliban and its terrorist allies were making the lives of children and women in Afghanistan miserable. Seventy percent of the Afghan people are malnourished. One in every four children won't live past the age of five because health care is not available. Women have been denied access to doctors when they're sick. Life under the Taliban is so hard and repressive, even small displays of joy are outlawed - children aren't allowed to fly kites; their mothers face beatings for laughing out loud. Women cannot work outside the home, or even leave their homes by themselves.
The severe repression and brutality against women in Afghanistan is not a matter of legitimate religious practice. Muslims around the world have condemned the brutal degradation of women and children by the Taliban regime. The poverty, poor health, and illiteracy that the terrorists and the Taliban have imposed on women in Afghanistan do not conform with the treatment of women in most of the Islamic world, where women make important contributions in their societies. Only the terrorists and the Taliban forbid education to women. Only the terrorists and the Taliban threaten to pull out women's fingernails for wearing nail polish. The plight of women and children in Afghanistan is a matter of deliberate human cruelty, carried out by those who seek to intimidate and control.
Civilized people throughout the world are speaking out in horror - not only because our hearts break for the women and children in Afghanistan, but also because in Afghanistan, we see the world the terrorists would like to impose on the rest of us.
All of us have an obligation to speak out. We may come from different backgrounds and faiths - but parents the world over love our children. We respect our mothers, our sisters and daughters. Fighting brutality against women and children is not the expression of a specific culture; it is the acceptance of our common humanity - a commitment shared by people of good will on every continent. Because of our recent military gains in much of Afghanistan, women are no longer imprisoned in their homes. They can listen to music and teach their daughters without fear of punishment. Yet the terrorists who helped rule that country now plot and plan in many countries. And they must be stopped. The fight against terrorism is also a fight for the rights and dignity of women.
In America, next week brings Thanksgiving. After the events of the last few months, we'll be holding our families even closer. And we will be especially thankful for all the blessings of American life. I hope Americans will join our family in working to insure that dignity and opportunity will be secured for all the women and children of Afghanistan.
Have a wonderful holiday, and thank you for listening.
Laura Bush outclasses the junior senator from New York just by breathing.
There are socialists and leftists here who hate America, but I never run into them. I just read about them in the papers or see them on TVE. Like most people, Spaniards love a winner. And they do not trust Muslims because of Spanish history and because of the current crisis in Spain over illegal muslim immigrants. .
I remember all the talk about a "Co-Presidency" from the last administration -- it was anti-American and anti-Constitution. I believe that Laura Bush will be remembered as one of this country's finest First Lady's who truly stood up for her convictions and values with quiet courage. She'll also be remembered for the love, true partnership with, and support of the individual we elected to lead us through this nation's most difficult times. ---alethia
Well said.
It's obvious we all are so enjoying these years of the Bush reign. Pray for the continued safety each morning and then eagerly look forward to what the First Family accomplishes that day. --- okimhere
And don't forget the coming elections. Bush needs all our support in 2002 to help him elect a Republican congress. We've each got to do as much as we can!
I find myself running out of words to describe how thankful I am for our wonderful President
and his incredible wife!
Her Radio Address was strong and to the point, and beautifully delivered.
I'll bet W gave her a great big hug after she gave it!
Kati Marton (Peta Jennings' ex-wife, wouldja believe) was also talking about it positively and with so much enthusiasm it made me wonder if she was applying for a job on FOX.
Kati Marton (Peta Jennings' ex-wife, wouldja believe) was also talking about it positively (On CNN no less) and with so much enthusiasm it made me wonder if she was applying for a job on FOX.
Thank you so much. I thank God everyday for Laura and President Bush and for Cheney and Rumsfeld too. What a fantastic team they all are. I love them all.Amen, Snow Bunny! Here's that team you're talkin' about!:
I LOVE this picture soooooo much. Thank you for posting it. Fantastic.You are VERY welcomed, Snow Bunny! I like that one too! Did you see the pic I posted on post #39? I think that's a pretty nice one too of the "First Couple."
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