George Goes to the U.N.

by Dan Jacoby

Today, George W. Bush addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations and, in truth, the world. His speech was one of the best of his career, calling on all nations to rise to the highest aspirations of peace and freedom. Unfortunately, he has refused to raise his own standards to those of his speech.

Early in his speech, Bush said, "At the start of the 21st century, it is clear that the world is engaged in a great ideological struggle between extremists who use terror as a weapon to create fear and moderate people who work for peace."

Yet Bush himself has "used terror as a weapon to create fear". He has used terror indirectly by manipulating the "terror threat level". He has also used terror directly and individually by sending Americans and others on secret CIA planes to countries that torture prisoners in a procedure known as "rendering".

Meanwhile, George W. Bush has decried those who work for peace as weak, ignorant, or un-American.

During the speech, Bush directly addressed the people of several countries. In one section, he said, "To the people of Afghanistan ... We will continue to stand with you to defend your democratic gains."

What a shame that George W. Bush practically abandoned Afghanistan, just as his father did, as soon as he felt he could invade Iraq. As a result, the Taliban is coming back, currently in control of half of the country, and getting stronger every day.

Additionally, Osama bin Laden still runs free, and Bush claims that he isn't even trying to catch bin Laden. Instead, he says that NATO forces are in charge. So much for "Wanted, Dead or Alive." So much for "public enemy number one."

Speaking of invading Iraq, remember that the original reasons for our invasion proved to be lies. Despite Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's assurances that "we know where they are," there were no weapons of mass destruction. And even though the Senate and the CIA both say that Saddam Hussein never had any connection with Osama bin Laden or Al Qaeda, Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney still insist that there was.

Meanwhile, at the U.N., Bush said that, "Freedom, by its nature, cannot be imposed. ... It must be chosen." Wiser words rarely emanated from such an unwise man. For now, having had the original reasons for invasion kicked out from under him, George W. Bush maintains that our real reason for being there is to spread freedom. But if freedom cannot be imposed, as we are trying to do, then what are we doing there?

Finally, Bush wrapped up by saying, "Recently, a courageous group of Arab and Muslim intellectuals wrote me a letter. In it, they said this: The shore of reform is the only one on which any lights appear, even though the journey demands courage and patience and perseverance."

Wise words. Perhaps, with courage and patience and perseverance, we can bring reform to our shore.

 

Copyright 2006, Dan Jacoby

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