President George W. Bush gestures while delivering remarks on defense transformation, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.
For many years, America treated these attacks as isolated incidents -- and responded with limited measures. And then came September the 11th, 2001. In the space of a single morning we realized that we were facing a worldwide movement of fanatics pledged to our destruction. We saw that conditions of repression and despair on the other side of the world could bring suffering and death to our own streets.
U.S. President George W. Bush makes remarks on defense transformation during his visit to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, December 9, 2008
As a result, America reshaped our approach to national security. Here at home, we hardened our defenses and created the Department of Homeland Security. We gave our national security professionals vital new tools like the Patriot Act and the ability to monitor terrorist communications. We reorganized our intelligence community to better meet the needs of war against these terrorists, including increasing the number of intelligence officers. We deployed aggressive financial measures to freeze their assets and to cut off their money. We launched diplomatic initiatives to pressure our adversaries and attract new partners to our cause.
Cadets listen to President George W. Bush during his remarks on defense transformation, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y