MOUNT VERNON, Va., Feb. 19, 2007
Bush: War On Terror Like U.S. Revolution
In Presidents Day Speech, President Compares Revolutionary War With U.S. Fight Against Terrorism
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Play CBS Video Video Bush Celebrates Presidents Day CBS News RAW: President Bush marked the Presidents Day holiday with a speech in which he invoked George Washington's belief that the freedoms fought for in the Revolution should be universal.
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President Bush is pictured with Gen. George Washington, played by actor Dean Malissa, after Bush spoke on the 275th anniversary of George Washington's birth at his estate in Mount Vernon, Va., Monday, Feb. 19, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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“Today, we're fighting a new war to defend our liberty and our people and our way of life,” said Bush, standing in front of Washington's home and above a mostly frozen Potomac River.
“And as we work to advance the cause of freedom around the world, we remember that the father of our country believed that the freedoms we secured in our revolution were not meant for Americans alone.”
Bush chose the national Presidents Day holiday to make his first visit as president to Mount Vernon. He and first lady Laura Bush helped lay a wreath at Washington's tomb, then the president gave a speech from a platform on the bowling green lawn of the estate.
“I feel right at home here. After all, this is the home of the first George W. I thank President Washington for welcoming us today. He doesn't look a day over 275 years old,” Bush said to laughter.
Washington was born on Feb. 22, 1732.
“On the field of battle, Washington's forces were facing a mighty empire, and the odds against them were overwhelming. The ragged Continental Army lost more battles than it won, suffered waves of desertions, and stood on the brink of disaster many times. Yet George Washington's calm hand and determination kept the cause of independence and the principles of our Declaration alive,” Bush said on a clear but frigid day, speaking to several hundred people.
Mount Vernon is about 16 miles south of the White House. Bush traveled by helicopter.
“In the end, General Washington understood that the Revolutionary War was a test of wills, and his will was unbreakable,” said Bush. “After winning the war, Washington did what victorious leaders rarely did at the time. He voluntarily gave up power.”
Washington's retirement didn't last long, Bush noted.
“As president, George Washington understood that his decisions would shape the future of our young nation and set precedent. He formed the first Cabinet, appointed the first judges, and issued the first veto.
“Over the centuries, America has succeeded because we have always tried to maintain the decency and the honor of our first president,” Bush said.
Before and after Bush's speech, recorded music by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps blared through loudspeakers. Organizers of the event said the fife and drum corps had planned to perform live, but decided against it Sunday night because of expected temperatures in the 20s that could have damaged their historic instruments.
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
More From Politics
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
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See all 161 CommentsOne of the things Congress MUST do on our behalf is to ENSURE THAT NO PRESIDENT IS EVER AGAIN ALLOWED THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF POWER THAT BUSH HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO - AND CONTINUES TO - WIELD AND ABUSE!!! EVEN A PRESIDENT MUST BE BOUND BY AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THE CONSTITUTION CREATED BY OUR FOREFATHERS!!!
NO PRESIDENT IS ABOVE THE LAW! AND NO PRESIDENT SHOULD EVER BE ALLOWED TO MANIPULATE THE LAW TO HIS/HER OWN WILL OR AGENDA!!!
FOR WHEN THAT IS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN, AS IT HAS FOR THE PAST SIX PLUS YEARS, WE BECOME THAT WHICH OUR VERY ANCESTORS FLED TO ESCAPE FROM!!!
IT WILL TAKE DECADES TO UNDO THE DAMAGE THAT BUSH AND HIS REGIME HAS CAUSED TO AMERICA AND THE WORLD, AND OUR STANDING IN THE WORLD - IF IT CAN EVER BE UNDONE!!!
EVERY ACTION THAT BUSH AND HIS CRONIES HAS TAKEN AGAINST OTHERS IS A DIRECT CONTRIDICTION OF EVERYTHING AMERICA WAS FOUNDED ON AND STANDS FOR!!!
BY DENYING LIBERTIES TO ANYONE, FOR ANY REASON, HE IS P*SSING DIRECTLY IN THE FACE OF THOSE WHO HAVE MADE THOSE VERY LIBERTIES POSSIBLE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! AND YES, I AM INCLUDING THE PRISONERS BEING HELD IN GUANTANAMO BAY AND EVERYWHERE ELSE, ESPECIALLY THE PLACES WE DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT!!!
BUSH AND HIS REGIME HAVE MORE BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS THAN SADDAM AND HIS TWO SONS EVER DID, COMBINED! DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY, SINCE AND INCLUDING 9/11!!!
HOW DARE BUSH COMPARE THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR TO "HIS WAR OF PERSONAL AGENDAS, HATRED, AND VENDICTIVENESS!"
HOW DARE BUSH SPEAK OF THE FREEDOMS FOUGHT FOR BY WASHINGTON, WHILE HE CONTINUALLY IMPINGES AND VIOLATES THOSE VERY FREEDOMS THAT ARE EVERY AMERICAN'S RIGHT!!!
IT'S WAY PAST TIME THAT AMERICA CONTINUES TO ALLOW SUCH BLATANT WARMONGERS AND CRIMINALS SUCH AS BUSH AND CHENEY TO CONTINUE TO LEAD OUR COUNTRY DOWN A ROAD OF BLOODSHED AND LIES!!!
IT'S WAY PAST TIME FOR ALL AMERICANS TO SAY, "ENOUGH ALREADY!!!", AND DEMAND THAT CONGRESS IMPEACH THESE WORTHLESS DREGS OF AMERICA AND HUMANITY, AND HOLD ALL OF THEIR REGIME ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL OF THE INJUSTICES, DEATHS, AND DESTRUCTION THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR!!!
6. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trail, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of counsel for his defence.
7. In suits of common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of a trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of common law.
8. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
9. The enumeration of the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
10. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
4. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
5. No person shall be held to answer for capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.
Opinions on these pages go across the spectrum, with some not easily categorized as left or right. Even though some of us have some heated exchanges here, it is clear that most of us love our country.
With that in mind, here are our rights. Learn them while we still have them:
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These are the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Passed by Congress on September 25, 1789, ratified by 3/4ths of the states on December 15th, 1791:
1. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
2. A well regulated Militia, being necessary for the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
3. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in the time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
I know Bush is proud of being a C student in college, but does he really have to show off his ignorance to the whole world?
Posted by scott4261 at 08:34 PM : Feb 19, 2007
That's so true. He inspires a rage that is almost frightening. If I were not a civilised man who believes that ultimately America will wake up to just how dangerous this as*shole really is, then I'm not sure what I'd do. He is the worst president in American history by far, but still I believe my country will find a way to save itself from as*sholes like him and Cheney. I have to believe that there is enough real Americans who'll finally find their voices and say enough is enough, this mother-fu*cker needs to go now!
LOL
And he is like the 'red coats -- RUNNING SCARED! LOL
And after taking away so many of the basic rights given in the constitution, George Washington would have dubya shot as a traitor. At the very least expelled from the country, never to return.
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