Posted: 3/19/2005 8:45:38 AM EDT
|
"My fellow citizens, at this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger. On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign. More than 35 countries are giving crucial support -- from the use of naval and air bases, to help with intelligence and logistics, to the deployment of combat units. Every nation in this coalition has chosen to bear the duty and share the honor of serving in our common defense. To all the men and women of the United States Armed Forces now in the Middle East, the peace of a troubled world and the hopes of an oppressed people now depend on you. That trust is well placed. . . . My fellow citizens, the dangers to our country and the world will be overcome. We will pass through this time of peril and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others and we will prevail. May God bless our country and all who defend her." ~ President George W. Bush, March 19, 2003. Whitehouse speech to the nation. |
| I wore a black T-shirt that day that has the words "SHOCK & AWE" in big white letters to a college class with a teacher from france (not teaching french, though) who had been constantly condeming the war before hand, and President Bush. She didn't say anything to me that day, and I'm wearing that shirt today. |
+1 ... and a tiny nod to the countries that stood with the U.S. from the beginning: Great Britain, Australia, Denmark, Holland and Poland (did I forget anyone?) because they realized it was the right thing to do. |
|
Funny. Two years later it seems like it has been very long, and they should be coming home. 60 years ago, they were just beginning to fight. Now they are basically mopping things up. Germany and Japan took 7 years to get under control. Iraq is looking like 3-4 years. Interesting how the media can skew opinion/public opinion. |
Yep. And in the two years since - 1,520 American troops have died fighting terrorism in Iraq so we wouldn't have to fight them here.  |
