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June 28, 2005
Bush's speech by the numbers
You can view the speech in it's entirety by clicking here, courtesy of ThinkProgress.
References to 9/11: 5
References to "war on terror"/"fight against terror": 4
"terrorists": 19
"insurgents": 5
United Nations: 1
Coalition: 8
NATO: 2
"freedom": 21
"tyranny": 4
Moments of speechified irony:
The terrorists who attacked us – and the terrorists we face – murder in the name of a totalitarian ideology that hates freedom, rejects tolerance, and despises all dissent.
And evidently have a hand in organizing Bush's "Town Hall" style events.
We are improving roads, and schools, and health clinics … and working to improve basic services like sanitation, electricity, and water. And together with our allies, we will help the new Iraqi government deliver a better life for its citizens.
We invaded Iraq on March 20, 2003. Bush declared the "end of major combat operations" (WAR OVER!) on May 1, 2003. Saddam was captured on December 13, 2003. We did the "handover of power" one year ago today. And we still don't have the lights working properly or have the toilets flushing correctly? Basic sanitation is still not where it should be? And Bush calls this "progress"? Yikes.
Under the regime of Saddam Hussein, the Shia and Kurds were brutally oppressed – and the vast majority of Sunni Arabs were also denied their basic rights while senior regime officials enjoyed the privileges of unchecked power.
Privileges? Unchecked power? Now where have I heard that before?
They are doing that by building the institutions of a free society – a society based on freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, and equal justice under law.
Oops..not so much on the free speech thing, as Muqtada al-Sadr and Al Jazeera found.
The Department of Defense has set up a website – AmericaSupportsYou.mil. You can go there to learn about private efforts in your own community.
Cuz the public efforts are falling by the wayside...tax cuts, don'tcha know.
Jeff was right on the 9/11 references, incidentally. Way to go, Jeff!
And while we're at it, Harry Reid gives em hell (via Kos):
"Tonight's address offered the President an excellent opportunity to level with the American people about the current situation in Iraq, put forth a path for success, and provide the means to assess our progress. Unfortunately he fell short on all counts.
"There is a growing feeling among the American people that the President's Iraq policy is adrift, disconnected from the reality on the ground and in need of major mid-course corrections. "Staying the course," as the President advocates, is neither sustainable nor likely to lead to the success we all seek.
"The President's numerous references to September 11th did not provide a way forward in Iraq, they only served to remind the American people that our most dangerous enemy, namely Osama bin Laden, is still on the loose and Al Qaeda remains capable of doing this nation great harm nearly four years after it attacked America.
"Democrats stand united and committed to seeing that we achieve success in Iraq and provide our troops, their families, and our veterans everything they need and deserve for their sacrifices for our nation. The stakes are too high, and failure in Iraq cannot be an option. Success is only possible if the President significantly alters his current course. That requires the President to work with Congress and finally begin to speak openly and honestly with our troops and the American people about the difficult road ahead.
"Our troops and their families deserve no less."
Posted by Carla at June 28, 2005 06:40 PM