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SBD
Admiral
Joined: 19 Aug 2004
Posts: 1022
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 Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 1:17 am Post subject: World War II`JAPAN SIMILAR TO FIGHT IN IRAQ-PRESIDENT BUSH |
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| Quote: | Bush marks anniversary of World War II's end with comparison to post-war Iraq
By Karen Kucher and Debbi Farr Baker
UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM
12:09 p.m. August 30, 2005
CORONADO – President Bush said Tuesday morning that the challenges of Iraq are similar to those the United States faced in a defeated Japan 60 years ago and vowed not to let America's enemies "destroy with cowardice what these Americans built with courage."
"In the midst of this struggle we have confidence in our cause because we know that America has faced down brutal enemies before," the president said in a speech at the North Island Naval Air Station.
"We have confidence in our cause because we have seen the power of freedom to overcome the darkness of tyranny and terror. We have confidence in our cause because we know the character and courage of those who wear the uniform of the United States military."
The president spoke under overcast skies against the backdrop of the Ronald Reagan, the nation's newest aircraft carrier, and before a group that included invited veterans from World War II, some who wore their old military uniforms.
Directly in front of the president were thousands of Navy sailors making up a sea of white uniforms. Behind the podium Navy signal flags were hung, spelling out the letters "CINC" for commander in chief.
Before directing his attention to the anniversary of VJ Day and the war in Iraq, the president urged Americans living in storm-ravaged states of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi to hold off on returning to their homes until rescue crews could do their work in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He urged people to send donations to the Red Cross and Salvation Army.
Bush cited the way the United States helped rebuild its enemies after World War II as an example for what he hopes can be accomplished in Iraq.
"In World War II, wherever our troops raised the flag of victory they would also sow the seeds of liberty, and as a result the world was better off," Bush said.
He said the United States was "putting the terrorists on the run all across the world," calling the campaign part of "the vital work of spreading liberty."
Tuesday's speech commemorated the 60th anniversary of VJ Day; on Aug. 14, 1945, Japan surrendered to end World War II.
Bush has frequently cited Japan as a good model of a former enemy that survived U.S. occupation to become a thriving democracy and strong ally.
"Our two democracies are among the world's closest allies," he said. "And all Americans are safer and more secure because the Japanese people are free."
In his speech, Bush said Iraqis should be proud of what they accomplished in their efforts to draft a constitution, adding, "We will build a free Iraq that will defeat the terrorists instead of giving them aid and sanctuary. . . .
"We will stay on the offensive. We will stand with the people of Iraq and we will prevail.
"We will prevail because this generation is determined to meet the threats of our time. We will prevail because this generation wants to leave a more hopeful world for our children and grandchildren. We will prevail because the desire to live in freedom is imbedded in the soul of every man, woman and child on this earth.
"And we will prevail because our freedom is defended by the greatest force for liberation that humankind has ever known, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces."
In his speech, Bush pointed out his personal ties to San Diego, noting that it is the birthplace of naval aviation and saying he felt "right at home" as the son of a naval aviator.
Later in his speech, Bush acknowledged the presence of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who was sitting in bleachers with the World War II veterans. Rumsfeld, Bush said, had spent VJ Day selling newspapers at the Coronado ferry before he went on to become a fighter pilot.
Throughout his speech, the president praised the military – and received loud rounds of applause from the audience of more than 7,000.
"We have confidence in our mission because we know the character of those who wear the uniform of the U.S. military," he said.
After the speech, Robb Mann, a 28-year-old sailor from Washington, said listening to the president talking about the war in Iraq and the mission of the military underscored his commitment to service.
"Having the president here, really personalizes it. It reaffirms to me why we wear this uniform," said Mann, who works in information technology at North Island.
Tiffany Ortiz, a 21-year-old sailor from Maryland, said she got goose bumps listening to the speech.
"It is so reassuring to know that the president is behind us and that we are fighting for a cause," she said. "I've never felt so honored to serve as I do now."
The speech also struck a chord with retired military men in the audience. Navy veteran Gilbert Nadeau, a 79-year-old Escondido resident, wiped tears from his eyes with one hand while he held an American flag in the other. Nadeau said he thought the speech was "beautiful and wonderful" and said he was surprised he got to sit so close to the president.
Navy veteran Lawrence Strickland, 58, of Warner Springs, was jubilant after the speech.
"We will follow this president through hell," said Strickland, who was a prisoner of war when he served on the USS Pueblo. "He says what he means and follows through. If he says we will finish the job, we will."
Bush expressed appreciation for the sacrifices of American troops in both wars in his conclusion:
"It is men and women like you who keep us free. It is the spirit of liberty that keeps us strong. And it is the history that gives us the confidence to know that in the vital work of spreading liberty, America, and those of us who love freedom, will prevail."
Bush's speech was his third address about Iraq or the war on terrorism in two weeks and was intended to counter rising doubts about his Iraq policies.
After leaving North Island, the president was scheduled to visit injured sailors and Marines at San Diego Naval Hospital in Balboa Park, but that appearance was canceled at the last minute without explanation. He left San Diego before noon, earlier than had been scheduled, and plans to return to Washington rather than his ranch in Crawford so that he can better monitor federal relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina.
It was Bush's sixth trip to San Diego County as president.
One of his most memorable visits came in May 2003, when Bush flew in a Navy jet from North Island to the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln off the coast of San Diego.
Bush, a former aviator in the National Guard, took the controls of the S-3B Viking for a while during the flight before it was landed by the pilot on the carrier's deck.
After changing out of his green flight suit and into a business suit, Bush stood beneath a banner proclaiming "Mission Accomplished" and delivered a speech declaring that major combat operations in Iraq had ended.
But despite some progress in drafting a constitution for Iraq, the conflict proved to be far from over. And with nearly 1,900 U.S. troops killed in Iraq so far, deep divides have emerged across the country over the war's progress and its future.
Since early August, anti-war protester Cindy Sheehan has camped out at Bush's vacation ranch in Crawford, Texas, drawing thousands of supporters and many detractors. Sheehan's son, Casey, died in fighting in Iraq in 2004.
Bush's job approval ratings have fallen to the lowest levels of his presidency. In Coronado before the speech began, anti-war protestors lined some streets near the Navy base Tuesday morning, carrying signs critical of the president. |
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dusty
Admiral
Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Posts: 1264
Location: East Texas
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| Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 1:45 am Post subject: |
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I thought it was a real good speech with good words but there is no way most on the left will ever be persuaded to change their minds. They are locked into 'Bush lied' no matter what the facts happen to be.
What makes me the maddest is that some of them seem to be enjoying telling the lie that 'Bush lied'.
You can almost see them grinning when they say it.
People who have the least honor of all calling perhaps the most honorable man who ever held the office a liar is the height of incongruity.
May history paint them in that light.
Dusty
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Left and Wrong are the opposite of Right! |
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blue9t3
Admiral
Joined: 23 Aug 2004
Posts: 1246
Location: oregon
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| Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 4:16 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Dusty, paint not "Loathe", I will try to remember that! 
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MOPAR-BUYER |
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