Bush defends effort against terror before nation
In a rare news conference last night, President Bush sought to reassure Americans about the volatile mission in Iraq and the war on terror. What were your reactions to the press conference?
in today's globe: Bush vows he'll stick to Iraq plan
Complete transcript of press conference
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His speech concerned me in numerous ways. It is apparent that that he his left the principle of government "by the people, for the people" by the wayside, and has taken it upon himself to decide what's best for the world. And his policy of "offensive" strategy is appalling. There are so many African nations right now that are suffering mass genocide at the hands of brutal dictators, and yes, some of these nations also harbor pockets of Al-qaeda clans. But clearly we are not going to help evertyone else in Africa, nor is it our right. It seems that Bush's offensive policy seems almost a little like Hitler's invasion of his neighboring countries in the 1930s-40s. I know the difference between Bush and Hitler, and that Bush is by far the better man, but, a nation seeking to coexist peacefully in the world during this modern time can not set a precedent of pre-emptiveness and offensiveness. What's to stop Korea from taking pre-emption against us? Nothing. We shouldn't expect everyone else to play by the rules, if we can't play by the rules. Bush is setting a horrible example for the world. WHY HAVEN"T WE IMPEACHED THIS MAN????
Gigi, Northampton, MA
The quote says: " The nation deserves its king..." Well, you got what you voted for.
kara, swampscott
Bush made the final decision to wrecklessly go into Iraq, but much blame has to go to the oil companies that provided millions of dollars to his campaign, not because they thought he would make a great president, but because he would go to bat for their needs. We have one such local oil baron who contributed an out-of- pocket $M in the names of all his relatives. Maybe this practice has to stop!!
fred, gloucester
I think all you phony liberals should just clam up and go back to your ivory towers where supposedly you all have learned the proper PC crap that you spout so generously. President Bush is one of our top Presidents of all time. It doesn't make a hill bit of difference to me whether or not President Bush speaks in perfect eloquent sentences or that his hobby is clearing brush in the hot Texas climate. The man is immovable, he is sincere, a joy to behold, brilliant, and nothing short of a breath of fresh air, especially here in the PC nightmare we call Massachusetts. PRESIDENT BUSH, YOU HAVE MY VOTE, HEY, MR. JOHN KERRY, BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eric, Cambridge
I thought a lot of the questions from the media were ridiculous. Who cares whether he considers himself a good communicator? Or if he is willing to take personal blame for 9/11 (asked by how many reporters, 3?). I think a better question is, what have WE learned from 9/11 and what are WE doing about it? We are getting distracted by useless attempts at finger-pointing. People want the president to fall on his sword for 9/11 and the casualities of war. We need to wake up. There is no going back to a false sense of security, it is essential that we proactively root out those that want to attack us. That is the lesson of 9/11. And that is the strategy the president is implementing.
Linda, Boston
First of all, I didn't realize (and I take great offense to the indication) that some people think that just because someone may criticize the President's speech it automatically means that the person is "against the troops"!!! It is my right as a citizen of this great nation to criticize the President if I feel that what he is doing or saying is against my best interests and the best interests of this country. Isn't that what our First Amendment rights are all about, or has the FCC's ridiculous crusade made everyone forget about that very important Amendment??!!! I may not agree at all with our "Commander and Chief", a phrase I use lightly, but I am 100% behind the troops (including some of my very good friends) finishing what they were sent over to do and coming home soon and safe!! But I really can't see that happening since the man that sent them over there really has no idea what to do next. And if he does, and you heard it last night, you must all be speaking a foreign language that only about 25% of the population understands. That said, although I do (of course) believe that Sadam was an extremely evil man and that the people of Iraq will be much better off in the far off future, I think that this President used the events of 9/11, when we were all at our weakest, most vulnerable and out for any kind of justice we could find, to carry out his own agenda which was to go after Iraq and the man that took a shot at his father!! Why didn't we attack Afghanistan full on? Isn't this were the 9/11 attackers originated and the most logical place to find Bin Laden? Kerry may not be the next JFK, but I'd rather take my chances than sit through another four years of lying and deceit!!!
Nicole, Boston
I think Pres. Bush had a hard time answering questions in real time without his aids' assistance. He did a lot of fumbling and mumbling. I was not surprised by anything he said. We really do have to finish in Iraq now or we will leave the same mess as we did during his father's administration and he won't want that to mar his own legacy in history books. Also, if we leave now, we will be bending to terrorists' will and that is what terrorism is all about, isn't it? The scarey part to me was his statement that we should bring democracy to the rest of the middle east. Hmm.. should we be getting ready for world war 3? Finally, I thought Pres. Bush used the press conference as a cheap opportunity to campaign.
Jane, North Andover
It is clear to see why President Bush will not speak without Vice-President Cheney being there. He doesn't know what to say. I fear he is a figurehead, merely used for fundraising purposes while Rumsfeld, Cheney and Rice run the country (scary thought)!!!! He's been on vacation cutting down brush or whatever it is he does out there and he couldn't prepare any better than that. It should tell you something. He's not very bright at all. Get him out before he creates more chaos that he already has.
Mary, Attleboro
Wow, how fast we forget about 9/11. This is a new world people. Need to think outside the box. I remember Bush talking after the 9/11 attacks informing us that the war on terrorism was going to be a long tough fight and would take years. So far I think he is doing a pretty good job of keeping the US safe. And for all of you who think this country is not safer now than it was prior to 9/11, you're wrong. Kerry and Kennedy have no idea as to what to do so they are inciting the people by claming its another Vietnam. All they can come up with for a strategy is to have the UN step in. The UN was a big reason why the US went to war with Iraq because they would not back up the resolutions that were passed.
Mike, Falmouth
Wow, how fast we forget about 9/11. This is a new world people. Need to think outside the box. I remember Bush talking after the 9/11 attacks informing us that the war on terrorism was going to be a long tough fight and would take years. So far I think he is doing a pretty good job of keeping the US safe. And for all of you who think this country is not safer now than it was prior to 9/11, you're wrong. Kerry and Kennedy have no idea as to what to do so they are inciting the people by claming its another Vietnam. All they can come up with for a strategy is to have the UN step in. The UN was a big reason why the US went to war with Iraq because they would not back up the resolutions that were passed.
Mike, Falmouth
