MORE:
DONNELLY, Idaho (AP) -- President Bush charged Tuesday that anti-war protesters such as Cindy Sheehan, who want the troops brought home immediately, are "advocating a policy that would weaken the United States."
In remarks to reporters outside an exclusive resort where he is vacationing, Bush gave no indication that he would change his mind and meet with Sheehan, who lost a son in Iraq and has emerged as a harsh critic of the war there, when he returns to his Texas ranch Wednesday evening.
Sheehan has been maintaining a vigil outside Bush's ranch, a demonstration that has attracted other anti-war protesters.
Bush said that two high-ranking member of his staff have already met with her.
On Iraq, Bush said that a democratic constitution "is going to be an important change in the broader Middle East."
MORE:
DONNELLY, Idaho (AP) -- President Bush charged Tuesday that anti-war protesters such as Cindy Sheehan, who want the troops brought home immediately, are "advocating a policy that would weaken the United States."
In remarks to reporters outside an exclusive resort where he is vacationing, Bush gave no indication that he would change his mind and meet with Sheehan, who lost a son in Iraq and has emerged as a harsh critic of the war there, when he returns to his Texas ranch Wednesday evening.
Sheehan has been maintaining a vigil outside Bush's ranch, a demonstration that has attracted other anti-war protesters.
Bush said that two high-ranking member of his staff have already met with her.
On Iraq, Bush said that a democratic constitution "is going to be an important change in the broader Middle East."
Reaching an accord on a constitution after years of dictatorship is not easy, Bush said.
He spoke after the head of the committee drafting Iraq's constitution said Tuesday that three days are not enough to win over the minority Sunni Arabs, and the document they rejected may ultimately have to be approved by parliament as is and submitted to the people in a referendum.
Iraqi leaders completed a draft Monday night and submitted it to parliament, but with only minutes to go before a midnight deadline, they delayed a vote to give them time to convince Sunni Arab negotiators to accept it.
Bush spoke to reporters outside the Tamarack Resort, in the mountains 100 miles north of Boise.
Oh, wait ... I forgot ... she's a liberal wingnut.
Can someone please explain to me why we don't put people on trial for treason anymore???
Vacation does wonders to a person..
Retreating under fire would give the terrorists a victory, just like the one they won against the Soviet in Afghanistan. I believe the media is faking the level of dissent in this country becaue it cannot stand to see Bush vindicated. There is a total disconnect between what is happening in Iraq - and here - and what is reported by the MSM. I do not believe that my country should or will surrender to a bunch of thugs with cheap explosives.
Bush has no critics to answer, only terrorists and their sympathizers, all of whom hate this country and would like to see it brought low. has TV ruined us so much we have no memories that 9/11 was real? We are in a war. It will last at least a generation. Our parents and grandparents hunkered down and fought the 'cold war' - which often got hot, and with far more than 1,800 casualties - for 40+ years. Did they blink?
The 1960s really set a rot in America, with weak-kneed boomers having raised spineless consumerists unwilling to trade one comfort for freedom. Well, they'll try to bring another President down and gloat at having done our enemy's work. Democrats, and the pansy-RINCOs who want us to call 'uncle' [I'm thinking Hagel, with his corset, haircut and 'purple hearts' - are they Kerry-stock?] ought to know that we'll remember who they are.
What did we do to traitors in WWII? Interview them on the radio, give them Op-Ed pages?
Fact Sheet: President Bush Honors America's Veterans and Soldiers
Today's Presidential Action:
Today, President Bush Addressed The Veterans Of Foreign Wars In Salt Lake City, Utah. The President honored the service and sacrifice of the veterans who defended America's freedom in the past, and he paid tribute to the heroes in our armed forces today who are advancing freedom in the War on Terror.
President Bush Honors American Veterans
America's Veterans Have Set A Brave Example For All And Deserve Our Thanks. America's veterans defended our country when America needed them most. They triumphed over brutal enemies, liberated continents, and defended our freedom and our lives. America's veterans have earned the thanks and support of a grateful Nation. We also remember those who did not return as well as those whose fate is unknown. We honor those families who have lost a loved one in the defense of freedom, and we will never stop searching until every missing member of the Armed Forces is accounted for.
President Bush Is Committed To Giving Veterans The Benefits They Have Earned. Since the President took office, the Administration has increased spending for veterans by 24 billion dollars - a total of 53 percent. In the President's first four years in office, spending for veterans increased twice as much as it did in the eight years of the previous administration.
Health Care For Veterans Is A Top Priority. The President recognizes the importance of health care to veterans and has made it a priority to improve the current system. Since taking office, President Bush has increased the VA medical-care budget by 51 percent, and these resources are being used to make real improvements for veterans. Over the past four years, total outpatient visits have increased by 11 million, and the number of prescriptions filled has increased by 18 million. Since January 2002, the backlog of disability claims has decreased by 20 percent.
VA Facilities Are Being Modernized And Expanded. More than 1.5 billion dollars has been spent modernizing and expanding VA facilities so that more veterans can get care closer to home.
President Bush Was The First President In Over 100 Years To Sign Concurrent Receipt Legislation. This law ensures today's veterans are eligible for the military retired pay and VA disability compensation. President Bush has also expanded grants to help homeless veterans find the shelter they deserve in the country whose freedom they fought for.
President Bush Has Outlined A Comprehensive Strategy To Win The War On Terror
Protecting The Homeland. President Bush has reformed our intelligence services to stay a step ahead of terrorists, while establishing new financial and diplomatic tools to cut off their financial support. Funding for homeland security programs has more than tripled since 2001, and more than $14 billion has been provided to support police officers, firefighters, and other first responders. The USA Patriot Act has enhanced information sharing between law enforcement and intelligence personnel, updated the law to adapt to changes in technology, and allowed the critical tools that have been used for years in cases against organized crime and drug dealers to be used in the fight against terrorists.
Fighting The Terrorists Abroad Before They Can Attack Us Here At Home. September 11th taught us that retreating within our borders will not keep us safe. That is why American men and women in uniform are taking the fight to the terrorists in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Horn of Africa, and elsewhere. Iraq is a central front in the War on Terror as terrorists there try to block the advance of freedom. As Iraqis forge a new constitution, Iraqi soldiers are increasing their capabilities to fight our common enemy. As the Iraqis stand up, Americans will stand down.
Advancing Freedom To Ensure American Security. In the long run, victory in the War on Terror requires changing the conditions that give rise to violence and extremism. President Bush is determined to fight the terrorists' ideology of hate and fear by spreading hope and freedom to troubled regions of the world. New democratic governments in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Lebanon have encouraged democratic reformers in places like Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In the heart of the Middle East, President Abbas has rejected violence and taken steps toward democratic reform, while Prime Minister Sharon and the Israeli people took a courageous and painful step toward peace between Israelis and Palestinians by removing settlements in Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank. As people in the Middle East and across the world advance peace and regain freedom, America will be more secure.
Like Past Threats To American Freedom, The War On Terror Has Demanded Great Sacrifice And Courage. Since September 11th, we have known that the War on Terror would require great sacrifice. We have lost 1,864 members of our Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 223 in Operation Enduring Freedom. Each of these men and women has left behind a grieving family and a heroic legacy of freedom for generations of Americans. And each of these Americans has brought the hope of freedom to millions who have not known it. We will honor their sacrifice by finishing the task they gave their lives for.
Veterans Understand That The Rise Of Liberty Is Critical To Our National Security. Veterans understand the power of freedom because they have witnessed it with their own eyes. They have seen that democracies do not fight each other, and that liberation leads to peace.
The President should NOT dignify the remarks of his harshest critics with any response other than continuing to stay the course!
---father of a US soldier in Iraq.
Damn straight they are attempting to weaken the U.S. Hear that Senator Hagel? You seek to lead this country and our military as their C-I-C. It isn't going to happen. They deserve someone that wishes to strengthen them and the country they serve.
The MSM, DEMS, hippie activists and Hollywood seek our defeat because they seek Bush's defeat. This is indefensible. They are not Patriots. They are the enemy. They need to be stamped out permanently. And that is exactly what is happening with the growing counter protests against them.
You know, listening to the sound bite on Rush.... Freepers and everyone else that has shown up to counter protest should be proud! The President just gave you wider exposure by acknowledging your presence, that Cindy does NOT represent the totality of opinion on the war or of Parents of troops.
WTG!
PresBush needs to fight back more often and not pull his punches. The leftwing establishment has taken advantage of the dogdays of August and continues to ratchet up the antiwar rhetoric everyday. It's time for VP Cheney, Dr Rice, Rumsfeld and other high profile memnbers of this administration to get out and counterpunch these worthless and pathetic pacifists.
They DON'T CARE if they are weakening American, causes more deaths among our troops. "THEY" are supporters of Islam and communism. "THEY" WANT TO SEE AMERICA DEFEATED!!!
When are you and the RINOcrats going to get that through your heads and quit thinking you can work with these people?
All I can say is, IT'S ABOUT TIME!
With the MSM always preferring to take the critical stance, it's all the more important that Republican leaders stand up and demand to be heard. Otherwise the MSM will quickly give the appearance they are correct and the ship is rudderless.
BTTT
Easy explanation for that:
the rabid Left is so consumed by their hatred for George Bush that they consider doing permanent damage to our country a small price to pay for defeating the President's programs!
Pulling out of Iraq is surrender, period. It hands the Islamofacists a victory. Setting a date for pullout is surrender on the installment plan.
" they advocate a position that would weaken the United States."
That's what they want.
Can anyone tell me about the current power and water situation in Iraq? On another forum someone is saying that the power and water situation is still worse than it was before we "invaded" Iraq (stupid leftist jargon). I find this hard to believe.
England ruled Iraq from 1921 to 1958. US rules Iraq from 2003. The terrorists of 9/11 have nothing to do with Iraq. A US oil company, Halliburton controls the crude oil of Iraq. Cheney and Bush earn their money and power from Iraq's oil.
How about let the whole world to share Iraq's oil? Cheney and Bush won't allow that because they want to control the world but not share the world. They satisfy their ambition at the lives and money of US people. They are too greedy.