"The nations of this chamber must present a more hopeful alternative -- a vision where people can speak freely, and worship as they choose, and pursue their dreams in liberty.Advancing the vision of freedom serves our highest ideals, as expressed in the U.N.'s Charter's commitment to "the dignity and worth of the human person." Advancing this vision also serves our security interests.
History shows that when citizens have a voice in choosing their own leaders, they are less likely to search for meaning in radical ideologies. And when governments respect the rights of their people, they're more likely to respect the rights of their neighbors.
For all these reasons, the nations of this body must challenge tyranny as vigorously as we challenge terror. Some question whether people in certain parts of the world actually desire freedom.
This self-serving condescension has been disproved before our eyes.
From the voting booths of Afghanistan, Iraq, and Liberia, to the Orange Revolution in Ukraine and the Rose Revolution in Georgia, to the Cedar Revolution in Lebanon and the Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan, we have seen people consistently make the courageous decision to demand their liberty.
For all the suggestions to the contrary, the truth is that whenever or wherever people are given the choice, they choose freedom."
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/09/president_bushs_address_to_the.html
Freedom isn't easy, it isn't cheap, it demands self-accountability and self-responsibility. It demands hard work and dedication to it's precepts and concepts. It demands vigilance, and it demands standing against threats to it, and having potential aggressors know that you will fight and die rather than surrender freedom to their tyranny.
ReplyDeleteFor those who opt for freedom, I applaud you; for those who opt for tyranny, there are three schools of thought: the tyrant, those who follow, and those who have a bayonet at their throat. To the first, don't try me; to the second, you have my sympathy; to the last, you have my prayers.
Skunkfeathers said it best:
ReplyDeleteFreedom isn't easy, it isn't cheap.
Freedom is so precious that once it is taken away, it is very hard to bring back.
Freedom is worth fighting for.
History shows that when citizens have a voice in choosing their own leaders, they are less likely to search for meaning in radical ideologies.
ReplyDeleteThough Obama seems to be the exception that proves the rule. At least 40% of American voters will remain blind to his radical interpretation of liberal ideology and pull the lever for him, perhaps even giving him the election.
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I enjoyed the speech. The snippet from it here pretty well sums it all up nicely.
ReplyDelete