George lives in his fantasy world so I’ll live in mine «

The State of the Union I would love to hear

by Howard Vicini
Posted January 23 , 2007

Mr. Vice-Pres, Mrs. Speaker, Distinguished Members of the Congress, the Judiciary, and Armed Forces, Fellow Americans – Democrats and Republicans alike – I come to you tonight as a humble servant of the citizens of the United States to offer a new course for this Nation in accordance with the wishes of our electorate, who spoke with a loud, clear voice last November.

There have been times during this Presidency when America needed a strong leader with resolve and fortitude to shape our response to the tragedy of Sept 11, 2001; but, the American People have expressed in the most compelling election of our times that they believe this time is over and that they wish to change our course in Iraq and start bringing our troops home in a dignified and timely way.

As all of you know, I do not agree with this strategy but I respect the will of the People and the new Congress. And, so, tonight, I wish to outline a new way forward in Iraq , but not the one that I recently spoke of.

First, to the Iraqi People, I offer my sincerest assurance that America will not abandon you; however, the American people have noted that we have accomplished the objectives we set before we came to Iraq: to free you from the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, his sons and henchmen, and to give all Iraqis time and opportunity to establish and participate in a new government that represents the interests of all. Those things we have accomplished through the sacrifice of American blood that was offered willingly and bravely by our Service men and women in the spirit of Brotherhood and with hope and belief in a bright future for your Nation.

Unfortunately, not all Iraqis nor all Muslims share our belief in the value and worth of the individual as expressed through Democratic principals. But I trust that the majority of Iraqis do and Americans feel that it is now time for the majority in Iraq to take up the task of bringing peace and stability to your countrymen through courage and resolve, and I pledge that if you do, you will continue to have the resources of America behind you and the goodwill of the American People at your side.

The exact nature of the changes in our policy will be shaped through open dialogue among my administration, our Congress, and your government in the coming months. However, let me be clear that it is now time for all Iraqis – ALL Iraqis – to come together to build on the foundation we have laid for you. I know that your government will not look like ours and that is as it should be because two governments of the People, by the People will be as different as the beliefs, customs, and heritage of those peoples are different.

But I hope that each of you remember and pass on to future generations of Iraqis the truth that America did not come to conquer you, that America did not stay to rule you, and that America kept its promises, including our promise to leave Iraq in the good hands of its People.

To the American People – each of you in this chamber, each of you watching or listening from your homes and places of work, and especially to each of you serving in our Armed Services – I say humbly and sincerely thank you for your support, sacrifice, and courage in the years since Sept 11, 2001. I have heard your call and I am ready to start the task of bringing our troops home with the first redeployment to begin in July of this year.

In the coming weeks, I will re-examine the recommendations of the Baker-Hamilton commission and invite participation by all members of Congress through the leadership to help shape our strategy of redeployment. The only conditions I set are that we stand by our troops and that we stand by the Iraqi People. Beyond that, I trust that the goodness, charity, and belief in democratic principals held by all Americans will guide us as they always have and always will.

Let me add a final note to members of our Armed Services, I, like all Americans, cannot wait to welcome you with a homecoming of gratitude and joy for the renewed sense of security and pride we feel after all that you have accomplished.

There are still tasks to be finished, including the continued mission to train and strengthen the Iraqi forces, and the mission in Afghanistan . But, for most of you, the end of this long war is now in sight. You left your families and friends to serve this Nation and you will now come home to a Nation that considers each of you family.

Whatever you have endured, whatever sacrifice you have made, I promise that we will stand by you and your loved ones as you make the transition to home and peace that you so richly deserve. Though we have shared a large portion of our national wealth with Afghans and Iraqis, please trust that we have saved the best for you.

I know that I speak for my administration and the Congress when I say your welfare is not a red issue, nor a blue issue, it is a red, white, and blue issue and when you need us, we will be there.

Let it be known throughout the World, that when I speak of our Nation’s sacrifice and bravery in fighting the War on Terror, I include the young warriors of all our allies, and the men and women of Iraq , Afghanistan , and Muslims everywhere who supported our cause. We will never forget you and I look forward to working alongside you to build for Peace in the World.

Last, to our foes, I want to say that I know if you could see into our hearts you would know we are not your enemies until you threaten our security and safety at home. In the coming months, I hope people of all faiths and nationalities will re-examine your beliefs and fears about America ’s intentions and measure them against our efforts to free the Iraqi People from a tyrant and the fact that Iraq is now back in the capable hands of its people. Ask yourselves, what enemy would come, conquer, help rebuild and then ask nothing to walk-away?

I have learned many things from this struggle. America has learned many things as well, but what I hope all others have learned is that there are many good reasons to think of Americans as your friends and many painful reasons to provoke us and others from democratic countries to act as your enemy. I am ready and America is ready to sit down with any Country that shows a clear preference for peace whether we agree on other matters or not … we will give as we receive to build a better World for us all.

Let no one doubt that America respects all People, all Faiths, and all Nations who hold out the hand of friendship yet she will remain strong to protect our values, our borders and our friends when they are threatened.

Again, I ask that no one misconstrue one President’s humility in submitting to the will of the American People as anything other than what it is, because rule of the People, by the People, for the People is not a show of weakness … rather it is the basis of our government and, by design, our greatest strength.

And, now, my fellow Americans, we can turn again to our compelling domestic debates on healthcare, social security, tax cuts, education, and the environment. Yet we must always remember the lessons of 9/11 and stay vigilant and strong. The War in Iraq is coming to a close, the mission in Afghanistan is succeeding, but the War on Terror will go on and on.

Confucius held that, “Humility is the solid foundation of all the virtues,” and events of recent months have reminded me of lessons of humility that are the underpinning of my faith. Though I know that America does not seek to police the World, I urge Americans to remember that some extra responsibility always falls to those who are blessed as we are with prosperity and wealth, even as those things make us the target of others’ envy and ill will.

Therefore, even as I bow to the Will of the People concerning bringing an end to our mission in Iraq I will fight to keep America strong and safe.

Moreover, by my words tonight, it is my intention to set a tone for a rebirth of American community and bipartisanship as the electorate also demanded in November. These are the legacy by which I wish to be remembered by my Countrymen and I reach out tonight to every member of Congress and the leaders of other Nations with friendship and hope to build a better World with the wish to share this legacy with our generation of humankind.

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