Apparently, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling is auditioning for his role as George W. Bush in the movie, "Saddam and 9/11: The Connection That Only WE Know!" Bolding added for emphasis of the most ridiculous and/or untrue parts:
...Today, six years after these horrific attacks, there have been successes and disappointments in the war on terror.We have replaced the Taliban in Afghanistan and we have removed the brutal dictator, Sadaam Hussein in Iraq. We have taken similar actions against terrorist operations in numerous other parts of the world, and we have enhanced our intelligence gathering operations.
Through these offensive actions we have reduced the terrorist threat, we have made the world a safer place, and we have prevented any further terrorist attacks on our homeland. These are successes we should be proud of.
These successes have been made possible by two things, and it is important that we remember these things on this solemn anniversary.
First, we owe a great debt of thanks to President Bush, who has stood strong in his resolve to prosecute and win the war on terror, even though numerous politicians and pundits have done all they could to make his task difficult. While some have tried to make the war on terror an albatross around the President's neck, the truth is that his resolve in fighting and winning the war on terror will likely be remembered as his greatest contribution to our country and the world.
Not, not, and not! More on the "flip" if you can stand it.
Second, we owe a great debt of thanks to the men and women of the United States Military who have faithfully gone into harms way to combat those who would do harm to our nation and our people and bring them to justice. The members of the U.S. armed forces are truly the best among us, and it is because of their efforts that we have the privilege of living in the greatest nation on the face of the earth.[Lowell's note #1: on this, there's no disagreement here; our military personnel are the best and we all owe them a huge debt of gratitude as they attempt to carry out Bush's FUBAR policy.]
Unfortunately, as the events of September 11, 2001 have become more of a distant memory, some have lost their resolve to do what must be done to keep the terrorists on the defensive, win the war on terror, and keep the American homeland safe.[Note #2. Name one serious person who's lost their resolve to "keep the American homeland safe." That's bullshit, and you know it Mr. Bolling!]
Some would have us leave Iraq prematurely, before the job is done.
While the work in Iraq is dangerous and difficult, and while it comes with a heavy price, we must not lose our resolve to win the war on terror and keep our homeland safe. We want our troops home as soon as possible, but we want them home in victory, and not in defeat.[Note #4: Well, obviously "we want them home in victory, and not in defeat." The point being?]
If we leave Iraq before the job is done we will empower the terrorists and make it possible for them to make Iraq their base of operations for future attacks on our country and other freedom loving countries around the world. Terrorists, operating from an oil rich country like Iraq, would be far more formidable than they have ever been in the past.[Note #5: There were no terrorists, certainly not Al Qaeda, in Iraq prior to our invasion. Now there are, largely coming from our good friends in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, etc. Wonderful, Bush's stupid policies and pathetic tactics have created a new hotbed of terrorism.]
And by relinquishing the offensive position and taking the battle to the terrorists in their homeland, we would make it easier for them to assume the offensive position and bring radical Jihad back to the streets of the United States. We cannot allow that to happen.[Note #6: No doubt, the radical Jihadists are nasty, evil bastards. But how have this administration's policies made us safer? That's certainly not what the intelligence community and outside experts are saying.]As a nation we need to wake up and realize that radical Jihad is a force, an evil force, which threatens the future of our country. These radical Jihadists will not stop until they have killed as many Americans as possible and destroyed our way of life.
While we may wish it wasn't so, it is so; and the choices we have are to play offense and fight these evil forces in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, or play defense and allow them to bring their war back to the streets of New York City and Washington, DC and countless other places in our homeland.[Note #7: That's a classic false dichotomy, either do what I say -- and ONLY what I say -- or something terrible will happen. There are many other options besides the ones Bill Bolling, the foreign policy expert, suggests. But of course he doesn't mention any of those since they don't fit his bizarre narrative.]
These threats will not go away, not matter how much we may wish they would. They will stand as a present challenge to our freedoms and our way of life until they are defeated.[Note #8: Actually, it has NOT always been that way. The threat from Al Qaeda is relatively recent, and for much of U.S. history we did NOT face threats to our existence. Also, let's just say that Bolling should read Michael Scheuer if he really believes "they hate us for our freedoms."]But when you think about it, it has always been that way.
When you look back over the history of our nation each generation of Americans has faced a battle of this nature. In each generation we have been called upon to defend the cause of freedom and our way of life, and we have faithfully answered the call.The question is, six years after the worst terrorist attack in the history of our nation, has our resolve waned, or will we stand worthy to the task and continue to do the difficult work of freedom in this, our most recent challenge?
As we remember this solemn anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, let us remember those who lost their lives that day and continue to keep their families in our thoughts and prayers.Let us also remember the brave men and women of the U.S. military who have given their lives in the war on terror, who have been wounded in battle, and those who remain in harms way in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other places around the world.
And let us pray that we will remain willing to do what must be done to defend the cause of freedom, protect our way of life, and resist the voices of those who would have us travel down a different road, for that road we will make us less secure and increase the risk of future terrorist attacks.
Yes, Americans have always been willing to answer freedom's call and do what must be done to protect the cause of freedom and defend our way of life, but the question is, do we still have that resolve? As we ponder that question, let us never forget that the first generation of Americans that fail to heed freedoms call will be the last generation of Americans to enjoy the benefits of freedom.
Even Newt Gingrich, Republican-extraordinaire, in his e-mails commemorating today is lambasting the Bush response to the 9/11 attack. Like many of the professionals, in the military, Dept. of State, historians, etc., he, too, regards Bush's response to 9/11 as utterly lame and misdirected from Day One.
It's interesting that all the recent news about terrorists captured just in the nick of time, thus preventing major attacks, are the result of POLICE intelligence action, not military Shock and Awe. Also, that the Taliban are coming back in Afghanistan, far from being obliterated, Mr. Bolling. Or that the nature of Gen. Petrateus' surge is to place small units on the ground among The People, and not in massive castles (either big forts or castles on wheels, the new enhanced armored Humvees).
Why is the Republicans always derive the wrong message from events? Is it lack of critical thinking? Refusal to face reality, cherry picking intelligence? Deliberate misunderstanding out of being blinded by ideology (as were the Russian Communists)? Why?
I already know you will never vote for Bolling
Or consider this next time Kaine or Moran posts a press release I could rip it apart as well but in the end what does it accomplish? Are votes really going to change
You and I both know these types of press releases are directed towards our respective bases
Just to make sure the point of your post was to express personal disgust
In general I am more curious about why you write what you do then the actual content.
In case you haven't noticed, Vladimir Putin has cobbled together an association of many of our former supporters, nurtured for years by the likes of the now outcast General Zinni, that is growing into a new alliance with no American influence. Meanwhile, seed money is being effectively spread around Eastern Europe and elsewhere to ensure that any anti-American event is well and enthusiastically attended. It wasn't the CIA that toppled the GRU; it was economic power of the US that overwhelmed the USSR. That economic power is at significant risk. Despite President Bush's assurance that he "looked into his soul" I doubt that he has an inkling of the threat that Vlad poses to our interests.
Oh, and lest we forget, there is China.
But it is easier to focus on an intangible threat; to whip up emotion to deflect attention from the more ominous reality. A bilateral world is so much cleaner and convenient. Unfortunately we don't live there anymore.
History will not be kind if we do not take the initiative to right the ship of state; a ship that has been allowed to fall into utter disrepair.
RESPONSE - If Bolling truly believes this crap, I would rate him clinically delusional and unfit to govern.
"The members of the U.S. armed forces are truly the best among us, and it is because of their efforts that we have the privilege of living in the greatest nation on the face of the earth."
RESPONSE - True, but our troops can't win wars by magic. It's too bad bush-cheney haven't supported them. bush-cheney refused to listen to the advice of our best and brightest military people. They started 2 wars sending in only a fraction of the troops recommended and poorly equiped our troops. bush-cheney have hardly done anything to wage the diplomatic part of the war that might make the job of our troops easier.
"the question is, do we still have that resolve?"
RESPONSE - Absolutely, however, most of us aren't fools. We aren't willing to blindly follow leaders who are too incompetent to govern and to win wars, while our troops bleed and die on the battlefield. By the way, our leaders have only asked us to go shopping.
"the first generation of Americans that fail to heed freedoms call will be the last generation of Americans to enjoy the benefits of freedom."
RESPONSE - Scary but I totally agree. For 200 years our soldiers and patriots have defended our freedoms and the foundations on which America is based. They have passed them on to us as a sacred trust. Now bush-cheney have openly broken our laws, ignored our laws, and sold out the very foundations on which America is based. If Bolling truly believes this, I expect him to join the millions of us who are calling to hold bush-cheney accountable. I am not going to hold my breath.
P.S. It might be a good idea to number your paragraphs Lowell so we don't have to quote as much.
"Today, we pause to remember one of the darkest days in the history of our country and our Commonwealth. On September 11th, 2001 a brilliant early fall day was shattered by the violent acts of radical Islamic terrorists. On that day we lost thousands of our fellow Americans. They died simply because they were Americans, and believers in freedom and democracy. For the families and friends of those that were lost, an enduring void exists in their lives.In the panic of September 11th we also witnessed the unflinching courage of the men and women of our military and law enforcement. These brave public servants rushed up stairs as others ran down, and charged into burning buildings that others pushed to escape. In the following days, months, and years the drama of the moment has faded, but the valor of that heroic service has remained constant.
Our President deserves a debt of gratitude for his leadership in this trying time. On September 12th, 2001, and over the following years, conversations spoke only of "when" not "if" our nation would be hit again. Yet six years later, the American homeland has not been struck. Three Virginia Governors have served during this time: Jim Gilmore, Mark Warner, and Tim Kaine. They too deserve the same debt of gratitude for their leadership.
We know, because of our geography, military installations, and critical infrastructure, Virginia is the site of a number of potential terrorist targets. Yet, thanks to the leadership of President Bush, our Virginia Governors, and all the men and women who serve in our military and law enforcement, our country and our Commonwealth are secure, and we find peace from increased security on our shores. September 11th will never be forgotten. Today, let us resolve to continue to do all that is necessary to ensure that it is never repeated."
OK, still too much about President Bush's "leadership," but at least this statement is succinct. Also, it's a classy move to praise Governors Gilmore, Warner and Kaine, as well as the first responders. Let's face it, Bob McDonnell is simply a far more talented communicator than Bill Bolling.