I Cogitate
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There are inspiring presidential quotes and then there's George Bush's
Franklin D. Roosevelt is famous for many things but he will always remain associated with this stirring phrase from his first inaugural address:
"...let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself..."John F. Kennedy's life was tragically cut short but ask anyone from that time what Kennedy is best known for saying and you will hear this, from his inaugural address:
"...ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country..."Harry Truman is probably most associated with saying "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen" and "the buck stops here." But another of Truman's quotes is quite striking:
"...When even one American -- who has done nothing wrong -- is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth, then all Americans are in peril..."Well, here's what we've been reduced to in messages to unite this country and invite everyday sacrifice so that our wars are won:
George Bush in a December 20, 2006 White House press conference: "...The unemployment rate has remained low, at 4.5 percent. A recent report on retail sales shows a strong beginning to the holiday shopping season across the country -- and I encourage you all to go shopping more..."Plus, right after the terrorist acts of 9/11. he offered:
"...When they struck, they wanted to create an atmosphere of fear. And one of the great goals of this nation's war is to restore public confidence in the airline industry. It's to tell the traveling public: Get on board. Do your business around the country. Fly and enjoy America's great destination spots. Get down to Disney World in Florida. Take your families and enjoy life, the way we want it to be enjoyed..."Alright, get to it. Plant those victory gardens, forsake those nylons, women--get thee to the defense manufacturing factories and grab your ration cards. Sacrifice and do your part so that victory will be at hand. No, check that. President Bush says you are already sacrificing enough:
"...Well, you know, I think a lot of people are in this fight. I mean, they sacrifice peace of mind when they see the terrible images of violence on TV every night..."and
When the President was asked in another setting about the sacrifices Americans are enduring, he replied:
“...they are standing in longer lines at the airport...”and
Asked at a Septmeber 15, 2001 press conference about the sacrifice that would be necessary for ordinary Americans, Bush replied:
THE PRESIDENT: "...Our hope, of course, is that they make no sacrifice whatsoever..."Okay, get at it. Do nothing but what you normally do. Place those 'support our troops' bumperstickers on your SUVs, grab a Big Gulp and then go spend some money at the mall. Our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan can just feel the comraderie.
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