The President Speaks Out
The President Speaks Out
“Let no one doubt that this is a difficult and dangerous effort on which we have set out,” the President said. “No one can foresee precisely what course it will take or what costs or casualties will be incurred.”
“The path we have chosen for the present is full of hazards, as all paths are–but it is the one most consistent with our character and courage as a nation and our commitments around the world,” he added.
“The cost of freedom is always high–but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose is the path of surrender or submission.
“Our goal is not the victory of might but the vindication of right–not peace at the expense of freedom, but both peace and freedom …. around the world. God willing, that goal will be achieved.”
Sounds too good for George W. Bush? Well it is. This quote is from a JFK speech 44 years ago concerning the Cuban Missile Crisis. How I miss good oratory (backed by decisive action). It was very depressing to view in recent weeks world leaders such as Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan with better oratory ability and command of the English language than our current president. Oh, other than Bush, I believe English is their Second Language (or third).
I just finished reading Frank Rich’s book: “The Greatest Story Ever Sold.� Rich did what journalists should have been doing for a long time now (besides Jon Stewart on the Daily Show); taking quotes and proclamations of the Bush administration and comparing them to later quotes and actual facts. I’ll comment more another time, but Rich presented a hypothesis as to why the Iraq War was begun when it was. Rich cynically blamed it on Karl Rove as a means to hype the midterm elections in 2002 by stirring the pot for new found danger with lies and propaganda. One thing that does typify the Rove electioneering style are lies, distortions, and character assassination. Certainly John Kerry (the putz that he is) was “swiftboated� in 2004 and John McCain was “shot down� in South Carolina in 2000.
That style of meaningless character assassination is being played out currently in my home sate of NJ. You know, NJ with the “Gay American� governor who resigned in disgrace. Well our US Senator, John Corzine, was elected as governor and appointed a Congressman, Bob Menendez, as his replacement Senator. He is now up for permanent election for the post he has held for 10 months against the son of a popular former Republican Governor, Tom Kean. Well I’ve listened to two of the senatorial debates and “Junior� can hardly chain several sentences together into a coherent thought. After the first debate I thought he was just young and inexperienced, after the second I’m convinced he is both dumb and mean spirited. His entire campaign speaks very little of his abilities and accomplishments, but casts aspersions on his Democratic opponent. I’m not sure that Bob Menendez is squeaky clean, but those charges that he provides facts on were easily supported by public records and rebutted all of Kean Jr.’s character assassinating spin. The acrimony in this campaign is the worst I’ve ever experienced in over 45 years of election awareness. There has been nothing positive advertised, with constant Republican attempts at character assassination and innuendo; and Democratic attempts at linking the Republican candidate with all of the failed Bush policies. Ultimately, both parties treat the voters as ignorant rubes. This is just another example of increasing anti-intellectualism which is becoming so pervasive in America. What is also disturbing is that Kean Jr. seems as poorly spoken and prepared for a major office as G.W. Bush. He is just another rich, self-entitled brat that is trying to capitalize of his father’s reputation. This is a comment from one of Kean Sr.’s biggest fans!
The pandering to sensationalism, innuendo, and the lowest intellectual common denominator is a sad commentary on the political landscape today. We cannot idolize “juniors� just because their dads were swell guys. We need candidates with ideals, ideas, integrity, and intellect.
