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By week's end, President George W Bush returned to Texas after a quick tour of Oregon and Washington states. During Bush's weekly radio address he did not mention Osama bin Laden, health care, or education; but he spoke on terrorism. On the surface, his radio message delivered tough words for a man who only three days earlier said, "I can tell I'm in good country 'cause of all the cowboy hats." Bush and his aides ignored the protesters who outnumbered supporters during his speeches.
To the nation via radio 23 August, Bush said, "The terrorists have declared war on every free nation and all our citizens. "Whatever the hardships, we will persevere. We will continue this war on terror until all the killers are brought to justice."
| "How effective is the US military in Iraq if they can not locate Saddam Hussein, or prevent new terrorists from entering Baghdad?" |
While listening to Bush's radio message, must the audience be masterful of English language to understand his speech? First, the only countries experiencing terrorism at the moment are Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Liberia, and Zimbabwe. Seven countries do not make up "all." Perhaps we could add the USA to this list if we include the vandalism and destruction of SUVs / Hummers in California car lots this past week.
Use of the term "hardships" could mean almost anything. It could be directed at the USA (hint: what is yet to come.) It could be directed at the world, although the USA is spending the most money towards lessening hardships, now at $600 billion. Perhaps Bush meant hardships to mean subsidizing $1 million to General Motors' dealers for destroyed SUVs in California.
Bush continues; "In their malicious view of the world, no one is innocent," he said referencing terrorists. Relief workers and infants alike are targeted for murder." Bush adds he won't flinch on terror threats and refuses to retreat. I agree with Bush on one point: No one is innocent.
"Al Qaida-type fighters," now occupy Iraq, according to Bush. Considering the US military has locked-down Iraq since April 2003, does the listener wonder how terrorists arrived unnoticed? How effective is the US military in Iraq if they can not locate Saddam Hussein, or prevent new terrorists from entering Baghdad? Let us hope that USA customs officers are better at screening new terrorists than our own military in Iraq.
This week also brought the end of Bush's roadmap for peace between Israel and Palestine. His roadmap was well-intended, but good intentions do not settle a history of disputes overnight. Another bus bombing in Israel, and more action by Israel military against Palestinians in retaliation. You do not have to be a gambler to "just know" there will be more bombings in Israel, and more retaliation against Palestine. This pattern is now part of their society through two generations of struggle. It takes more than a paper "plan" to end.
"If the Palestinians want to see their own state, they've got to dismantle the terrorist networks," Bush said. Should Palestinians effectively end a terrorist network, they'd be ahead of Bush's attempt. The White House administration has not closed down a single terror network to date.
Bush ended his Pacific Northwest tour on the up. He secured $2.4 million additional campaign contributions. Raising money for himself, is the only action Bush has accomplished so far in his presidency. Bush's coiffures have grown to +$200 million. His voting public now includes nearly 4 million unemployed (or the most of any president). The hardship grows clearer each day.