Speaking to the Nation

Town Hall ^ | May 24, 2004 | Michael Barone [Creators Syndicate]

[quidnunc]

George W. Bush will speak to the nation tonight about what is happening in Iraq, and what will happen next in Iraq. It is about time. Wartime presidents must speak periodically to the people and explain, again and again, where we are in the course of the war. They must explain what setbacks we have encountered and how we are working to overcome them. They must keep in view the ultimate goal of victory, and explain why achieving it is worthwhile — what dangers we will escape and what kind of better world we will make.

Franklin Roosevelt did that during World War II with his fireside chats. The news was not always welcome: In one early speech, he explained why we would be driven out of the Philippines. And his address to the nation on D-Day was in a form that would arouse shrieking criticism if it came from Bush today: It was a prayer. But for the most part, Roosevelt did not have to deal with one problem Bush faces today. And that is that today's press works to put the worst possible face on the war.

Hence the endless dwelling on the abuses in the Abu Ghraib prison and the breathless speculation that it would drive Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld from office. Instead, an ABC/Washington Post poll showed the public 69 percent to 20 percent against Rumsfeld's resignation. Hence the much lesser coverage given to the murder of Nick Berg. Hence the microscopic coverage of the finding of the deadly poison sarin in an improvised explosive device — mustn't give credence to the possibility that Saddam was conducting (as inspector David Kay said) weapons of mass destruction programs.

-snip-

[MeekOneGOP]

But for the most part, Roosevelt did not have to deal with one problem Bush faces today. And that is that today's press works to put the worst possible face on the war.

Hence the endless dwelling on the abuses in the Abu Ghraib prison and the breathless speculation that it would drive Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld from office. Instead, an ABC/Washington Post poll showed the public 69 percent to 20 percent against Rumsfeld's resignation. Hence the much lesser coverage given to the murder of Nick Berg .....

The media, yep ! AND these two JERKS!:

[linn37]

we call that road rash

[MeekOneGOP]

Yep ! Dubya's a straight shooter too!

Give 'em he** tonight, Dubya !!

Dubya: Meek, you're right! FreeRepublic.com IS the "Best site on the 'Net!"

[ride the whirlwind]

The president needs to put things in perspective. Iraq is not Vietnam. My Lai was a massacre; Abu Ghraib was abuse. Hundreds of thousands of enemy attacked in the Tet offensive; a few thousand fought for Moqtada al-Sadr, and they are being rejected by his fellow Shiites.

The gains to be won by persevering in Iraq are great -- an example of decent government can change the Middle East. The losses to be suffered by not persevering are even greater: Vast gains by terrorists determined to attack everything we hold dear.

George W. Bush must set out our next steps and show, once again, that the media have got it wrong.

I like Michael Barone's common sense. Prayers that GWB can have a positive effect on those who are fuzzy in their thinking on Iraq & that these same ones are even watching this speech.

[Reagan Man]

Nice pics Meek. Way to go!

[blackie]

Praying for our troops and our CinC ~ Bump!

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[blackie]

Yep ~ that's what happens when you high-side. :)

[ErnBatavia]

You're in excellent form today, amigo!

[SandRat]

Counting down to the start and then to hear how the LAME STREAM MEDIA tries to spin it.

[SandRat]

Calm down GW will do just fine.

The meida will go nuts picking it apart but the truth will get out.

[RightWhale]

his hand was injured too

Gravel in the palm smarts.

[potlatch]

You're right, there is no pretense with the President!!

[potlatch]

LOL, good post devolve!!

[potlatch]

Watched him on Fox News and you couldn't tell he had been hurt!!

[devolve]

I got a tiny paper cut on a yellow legal pad last night.

Two questions:

#1 - Who do I sue?

#2 - When do I get my Purple Heart?

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you! :^)

Playing catchup this morning .....

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you !! :^)

Hey, I heard Michael Reagan say something early this morning about some of the networks BLACKED OUT his speech ? Some didn't carry it ?

Sheesh !! But I'm not surprised. Probably the ones that have been giving HEAVY coverage on the Abu Ghraib BS story.

[MeekOneGOP]

Gravel in the palm smarts.

Oh, yeah. Sure does. As a kid, I took my share of bike spills.

I remember once when I was about 12 years old I took a fall on a bike. I fell and then skidded on gravel and ended up with my right leg back-side-down on the gravel and my left leg underneath and kind of behind me. I got up and one the other kids I was riding with came back and noticed I was bleeding. I had a cut on the back of my leg, right where the knee bends. I went home and got it cleaned up. I still have a visible scar, too.

[MeekOneGOP]

Yeah, he did look fine. :^)

re #35 Devolve: LOL !

[potlatch]

You were still searching for that lost gif!! I bit my tongue the other day and wished I could have sued someone!!