Bush's Speech...

[gator]

What did you think of his speech...?

[gator]

I don't think that Bush said anything new here. If folks think we are "going to war" sometime soon, I don't think that his comments tonight did anything to sell us on the need for this to happen now...

His comments were broad and sweeping... and yet not difinitive in any way... the only thing that seemed new was when he said "we are in the last phase of diplomacy"... but that's still pretty vague...

if you had the authority, would you send in the troops now...?

I wouldn't...

- gator.

[mf_dolphin]

I would have sent them in as soon as they were ready! This has gone on entirely too long!

[chadtm80]

I don't think that his comments tonight did anything to sell us on the need for this to happen now...

He dosent need to sell any of us on it...

[OtherHD]

I don't think it was a great speech at all. He keeps going in circles, avoiding the questions the journalists put forth. We aleady KNOW Saddam is a threat to those around him! We have been told that every day for the past 6 months!

And the bit about the North Korea ordeal was horrible. He says the NK threat is a "regional threat" and that it doesn't concern the US.

What a bunch of bull crap!!!

"Just" a regional threat? Tell me, Regional threat my arse. NK is a very real INTERNATIONAL threat, and if anything, IRAQ is the regional threat! Does "regional threat" mean having the capability to launch a "nukyoolar" missile at the west coast? Is California no longer a part of the US?

This was just another one of his many undecided, waivering speeches he has given the past half year. He didn't address the issue of France and Germany, even when asked about it! He kept going back to the "I am the President and it is my job to protect the American people. Saddam has not disarmed. He is a threat. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Yadda." If you want to protect our people, DO IT WITH A DECLARATION OF WAR! If you have no intentions of doing so, then just admit it. The speeches are getting old quickly. Shame on me, I actually thought he would have some startling announcement that would shock the world. Nope. Just the same ole same ole.

Wow. That felt good!

[Stephanie]

Gee HD, how do you really feel?

I agree it's the same stuff he has benn saying. You can tell though that this is something he's not taking very lightly and is weighing heavily on him. I respect his opinion and reasons why he feels so compelled to do this, but I still don't agree and regardless of whether there's a UN resolution or not for NK, I do not see the difference in the fundamental circumstances between the two. His points about the Security Council and the votes made by all 15 countries on resolution 1441 are valid ones. It does sound like they are working on trying to get an agreement from everyone. I'm glad that he stated that our allies, while we may not agree are still our allies. I do believe that he wants to do everything he can to protect and defend America from terrorism.

[mf_dolphin]

Stephanie makes some good points. The easy thing for President Bush to do would have been to bypass the UN all together in the beginning. He and the administration has gone out of the way to work with the UN. They have brought the facts and laid them on the table. Have you noticed that no one has presented any contrary evidence. The fact is that Saddam has not disarmed. President has been very clear from the outset, If Saddam does not disarm then we will disarm him. He has tried the UN and they will apparently not act on their own resolutions. He is going to make a choice that he feels is in the best interest of this counrty. That's what we pay him to do. If you don't like it so be it... Unfortunately OtherHD, this isn't Hollywood were you can always have the dramatics when you want them. This speech was to answer reporters questions and restate his position loud and clear before the UN meetings this week. That's exactly what he did.

[Guest]

Well said Mf..... dramatics is not something you do in war - President has a well-thought out plan and he's taking making each step count.

Patricia aka Ticka1

[OtherHD]

My point is, nothing new came out of this speech. This is the same stuff he has been saying for the last 6 months. He doesn't need to restate his case. He has done so PLENTY of times. Like I said before, if Bush is so hell bent on protecting the American people, he would have issued a Decalartion of War already. This speech isn't going to change the minds of the American people, France, Russia, or any other dissenting country. It's time to take action.

[mf_dolphin]

I'm sorry you expected a lot more. The UN will meet tomorrow and hear Blix's report, one of the reasons for tonight speech was to reiterate the US stand on the so-called progress. Their can be no doubt about what the US will do if the UN does not act. The painfull part about diplomacy is that positions are stated, tested, modified and restated until most people would puke. The President stated very clearly tonight that our position has not changed.. Saddam will be disarmed.

I agree that it's time to go but that isn't my decision. We don't have the burden of making that decision he does. His decision will result in hundreds and maybe thousands of people losing their lives. Please give him the respect that he deserves and has earned.

[streetsoldier]

He looked tired...and I don't have any qualms about his answers to the more hostile "journalists".

If I were in his place, I wouldn't "tip my hand", either.

[mf_dolphin]

I agree Streetsoldier. It's a heavy burden he's carrying for sure and it showed.

[M2]

This is what the President said with no holds barred:

- We are going to war no matter what the UN decides, and it will commence most likely within a few days after the UN 'decision' is rendered.

- Iraq has had 12 years to disarm; they have not. He hopes Saddam disarms, or that he leaves the country. He has not left Iraq. However, there is only 1 way to disarm him, and that is with force.

- He prays for guidance, wisdom and strength. He prays for Peace and has tremendous gratitide for all those praying with him and for him.

- He knows there are questions regarding his decisions, his timing. This is what he has decided; this is the course of action.

He was not unclear in any way; he was very specific.

[firefighter16]

I can just imagine that Bush has been on the phone non stop trying to get this resolved.

[southerngale]

Some of you have made some good points. He has tried to work with the UN and these speeches he makes are also to help prepare the country in case we do go to war. We may get another one before we actually go to war too. I'm certain we will go to war because Saddam isn't going to suddenly disarm and Bush made it crystal clear he will disarm...one way or another.

I thought his speech was just fine and even moving at times. I appreciated the way he thanked all of us who pray for him. He has got a mother load!!! And yes, he does look tired. I can't imagine being in his shoes.

[bfez1]

I am tired of waiting. This has gone on way to long. If we are going to do it and we ARE going to do it then let's do it. Plain and simple, "Let's Roll"
NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cycloneye]

I think that in terms of the North Korean thing I am not in favor of what he said about that being a regional conflict but the NK situation is an international crisis because of the nuclear card that they have.

But folks if you saw Bush not decisive last night about going to war you can expect next week the war speech from him at the oval office after the UN votes in favor or against the resolution #18 on monday or tuesday.The speech will be after that vote so let's wait for it.

[Stephanie]

He did look tired Bill. I think that the questions from the journalists were valid and are obviously on alot of people's minds - mine for one. It would be irresponsible for them to not ask those questions.

[StormCrazyIowan]

I missed the speech, but from what I heard, there wasn't much new information. I guess I can be patient until the next speech, but after that, it's on!!! LET'S ROLL!

[gator]

Whether or not we are on the verge of war,
was what we saw last night important enough to warrant prime time media coverage on multiple networks?

The last time a Bush speech was televised in prime time was a month after 9/11... the content and timing of that speech were both appropriate to warrant our attention and interrupt network television

The stuff he said last night could have waited until I read the papers this morning, or at most been merited by a broadcast on CSPAN.

Don't commandeer the attention of our nation unless the event is well worth our time, or sadly, we will stop listening...

- gator.