"You're sacrificing greatly for our country, and our country has needed...

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

...that sacrifice."

"There are many challenges yet to come. We can expect more violence in the weeks and months ahead. But the future of a free Iraq is now coming into view. As the interim government assumes authority, and Iraqi security forces defend their country, our coalition will play a supporting role. And this is an essential part of our strategy for success. Terrorists who attack a self-governing Iraq are showing us and the Iraqis who they really are. They're not fighting foreign forces; they're fighting the Iraqi people. They're not just enemies of America; they're enemies of democracy and hope. They're enemies of a peaceful future in Iraq. As Prime Minister Allawi of Iraq said last week, "Anyone involved in these attacks is nothing more than a traitor to the cause of Iraq's freedom and the freedom of its people." He went on to say, "These are not freedom fighters. They are terrorists and foreign fighters opposed to our very survival as a free state."

"Because America and our allies acted, one of the most brutal, evil regimes is gone forever. (Applause.) This was a regime that tortured children in front of their parents. This was a regime that used chemical weapons against whole villages. It gave cash rewards to families of suicide bombers. It sheltered terrorist groups. Iraq was a country in which millions of people lived in fear, and many thousands disappeared into mass graves. That was the life in Iraq for more than a generation, until the Americans arrived. (Applause.) Because America and our allies acted, an aggressive threat to the security of the Middle East and to the peace of the world is gone forever. America is safer because Saddam Hussein sits in a prison cell. (Applause.)

When our forces were bringing down the dictator and his regime, I said here at MacDill that our work would not end with the liberation of Iraq. I pledged that we would help the Iraqi people to find the benefits and assume the duties of self-government. We're keeping our commitment.

All of you understand that freedom in Iraq and freedom in Afghanistan have deadly and determined enemies. Our men and women in those countries are fighting freedom's enemies with skill and courage. You're showing great respect for the holy sites of those countries. You're helping to bring opportunity and security to nations that have known years of cruel oppression. These are difficult tasks, but they are essential tasks. (Applause.) By fighting the terrorists in distant lands, you are making sure your fellow citizens do not face them here at home. (Applause.) By helping the rise of democracy in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and throughout the world, you are giving people an alternative to bitterness and hatred, and that is essential to the peace of the world."



"President Salutes the Military at Macdill Air Force Base in Tampa"



http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040616-4.html

[Hoping4Change]

1. I'm stupified that he's getting this kind of reception.

Can anyone explain this?

[NMDemDist2]

3. cuz he was on a military base

and AF base in fact, the AF is the best fed and least likely to get shot at (except pilots)

[Hoping4Change]

5. Thanks for that insight . Except I still find it puzzling why they

aren't angry about the pathetically incompetent post-war planning that is imperiling fellow soldiers.

[nose pin]

7. Jedi mind trick?

Cheney must be hiding behind a curtain.

[merh]

8. The same reason soldier won't openly complain about the

"stop loss" policy of the Army. That would not be in the best interest of the military and they would be harassed and targeted by the brass. This was on a military base and they were under orders. Of course it was on an Air Force base, an Army base doesn't have enough personnel to pack the audience.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

9. Have you ever been in the military? I'm thinking the answer is "no".

[Hoping4Change]

13. I don't think any military would want me.

No I haven't been in military.

Signed
Clueless Canuck

[mike1963]

6. I'm assuming the level of intellect in the USAF hasn't changed much since

I was in it 35 years ago. I knew bird colonels and a couple generals who were about as bright as Chimpy.

[NMDemDist2]

2. <gag>

this speech is so wrong in so many ways, wonder if I can get trumad to come debunk it for us?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

4. Yeah, it sort of plays like...

"We did the right thing from day one, we knew we were right, and we're going to keep on doing it, no matter what."

Perfectly planned, perfectly executed, with scores of ebullient military personnel as proof in the photo op.

:puke:

[stavka]

10. Last Photo - is it just me? or do his toes poke in like a Chimp?

...Ape shall not kill Ape! That is the law!

[x-g.o.p.er]

11. Active duty Air Force perspective...

He is very, very popular among the military. Not as much as he was in Jan 2001, but still way more popular than Clinton ever was.

The reason for that is that most military members are conservative Republicans, and think that Bush is a strong, resolute, and decisive leader.

It's not everyone's opinion, but it is a solid majority. And whether they like Bush personally or not, as professional soldiers they would not, out of respect to the uniform they wear and the office that he holds, do anything that would be disrespectful to either.

[NMDemDist2]

12. sorry x-gop.er

hope my "cracks" about the AF didn't irritate you. I meant no disrespect. I am an AF brat, my dad served for 25 years thru Korea and Nam

My apologies

[x-g.o.p.er]

14. It's a free country...

Say what you want. No offense taken. And they're true, for the most part. Quality of life is a lot better in the AF as opposed to anywhere else.

Plenty of career fields get shot at, just pilots more than most, and helicopter pilots ( the REAL pilots, as opposed to those fixed-wing geeks) more than most pilots.

[NMDemDist2]

15. yeah my dad did helo's in Pleiku (mountains) in Nam

it is not a job for sissies, nor the door gunners on those ships

Again, thanks for what you do (and the AF does have the best chow :-)

[trumad]

16. Please

...that sacrifice."

"There are many challenges yet to come. We can expect more violence in the weeks and months ahead."we" shit mother fucker, you be sitting in your stupid little Golf Cart in that stupid photo op ranch of yours drinking your stupid ass Jesus Kool-Aid! But the future of a free Iraq is now coming into view. ain't no view 6 feet under mother fucker! As the interim government assumes authority, and Iraqi security forces defend their country, our coalition will play a supporting role.assumes authority? they's got a life expectancy of a love bug in Florida! And this is an essential part of our strategy for success. Terrorists who attack a self-governing Iraq are showing us and the Iraqis who they really are. errrr there Iraqi's mother fucker! They're not fighting foreign forces; they're fighting the Iraqi people. Iraqis fighting Iraqi's mother fucker! They're not just enemies of America; they're enemies of democracy and hope. who dat? Shiiitt...Coulter, Hannity and Limbaugh are bigger enemies of Democracy and hope than these fellas! They're enemies of a peaceful future in Iraq. As Prime Minister Allawi of Iraq said last week,Who cares what he says, he'll be dead in a week! "Anyone involved in these attacks is nothing more than a traitor to the cause of Iraq's freedom and the freedom of its people." He went on to say, "These are not freedom fighters. They are terrorists and foreign fighters opposed to our very survival as a free state." Keep talkin behind your big steel door in the Green zone...All big and tough behind that big old wall

"Because America and our allies Allies??? What? Tanzania? acted, one of the most brutal, evil regimes is gone forever. (Applause.)Applause light just went on This was a regime that tortured children in front of their parents. Yah..we deplore torture...something about it being against the Geneva Convention? Unless of course you're King George! This was a regime that used chemical weapons against whole villages.While Rummy gave Saddam the reach around and whispered in his ear, "we got your back"! It gave cash rewards to families of suicide bombers. and we give cash rewards to Halliburton to rape and pillage Iraqi resources! It sheltered terrorist groups. Iraq was a country in which millions of people lived in fear, and many thousands disappeared into mass graves. You talkin about today or yesterday? That was the life in Iraq for more than a generation, until the Americans arrived. insert torture picture (Applause.) Because America and our allies acted, an aggressive threat to the security of the Middle East and to the peace of the world is gone forever. Now we's the threat! America is safer because Saddam Hussein sits in a prison cell. and I'sa gonna keep him until sometime around election day...why give him up to the er free Iraq(Applause.)

When our forces were bringing down the dictator and his regime, I said here at MacDill that our work would not end with the liberation of Iraq.and you also said on a big old ship that the fucking mission was accomplished! So why would anybody believe you now Mother fucker! I pledged that we would help the Iraqi people to find the benefits and assume the duties of self-government. We're keeping our commitment. until Rove says we've got to leave

I can't finish this... My gag reflex thingamajig is acting up.... Shit...It's easy to refute the Moron in Chief.... Cause it's all bullshit!