What is “expansion of freedom”?
I have a question for you:
Who thinks that President Bush is an abuser of the word “freedom”?
In his inaugural speech today, President Bush recalled America’s “deep commitments”.
He stated he was “determined to fulfill his oath”, and for those who have disagreed with his foreign policy, that is a frightening statement to have heard him make.
He said that our duties are defined by the history we’ve seen together. He’s made some of that history, after the “Day of fire” (9-11) raised a “moral threat” to our nation. (Mortal threat may have been the better word- perhaps I heard him wrong).
President Bush wishes to redeem his narrowly-gained power in the next four years to “reward hope of the decent and the tolerant.” He stated that our liberty depends on liberty in other lands, and that our best hope is the “expansion of freedom”.
WHAT IS “EXPANSION OF FREEDOM”?
What is it going to mean to America?
What will be the dreadful cost?
Shall we ask the Neo Cons?
Shall we ask Donald Rumsfeld?
President Bush said that the urgent requirement of our nation’s security and the “duty of our time” is ending “tyranny in our world”. (This, from the guy who likened nation building to a political disease in 2000).
He vows to help others find their own voice (Or else, I wondered? Snuff their voices out with bombs and American occupation? Have you noticed how big that went over in the Middle east when we charged into Iraq?)
President Bush promises that we will use American power confidently in “freedom’s cause”.
and that freedom is “eternally right”.
The Bush administration’s definition of “freedom” is paramount to the American discussion which must follow; after this inauguration day is over.
President Bush says that human choices move events and that God chooses as He wills.
George Bush claims to have relied upon God’s voice and he made some unfortunate choices these past few years.
He said no one should live at the “mercy of bullies” (I immediately thought to myself: After what we’ve done in Iraq? Hello?)
He said that there’s no justice without freedom.
That depends on what freedom means to you, doesn’t it?
If you ask a lot of Iraq people today (the ones still alive), what their definition of “mercy”, of “bullies”, and of “justice” might be - - well - I think you might be shocked at the difference between their opinion and this American President.
The President focused on the “unfinished work” of American freedom.
I fear he truly believes he needs to finish what he has begun- and then some.
Is anyone worried? Will idealists be the ruin of America by abusing the very word, ” freedom”?