Bush; a good or bad speech?

[Joseph]

I though is was a good speech, what do all you think?

Did he make the case on Iraq?

[DRoseDARs]

I make it a point NOT to watch State of the Union addresses by ANY president, simply because I know I'll get riled-up on some damn thing or another.

As far as making the case for war with Iraq: Evidence makes a case, not words written for and spoken by a man who has a bad reputation of repeatedly mispeaking in public. I don't care how eloquent the words he spoke might have been, only the concrete evidence of misdeads by Saddam's regime can legitimize a war. Presumably the United Nations will get that evidence from the Bush Administration sometime in the next week or so.

[Jon Miller]

concrete evidence exists I think

mainly that we know that Iraq had WoMD, and he has not shown he has destroyed them

Jon Miller

[The Mad Monk]

I liked what I heard of it.

[Kramerman]

I missed it ... had to study for a friggin calculus test. Im interested tho on what it was about and what everyones' reaction is.

[Edan]

I only watched part of it, but I read all of it. Overall I thought it was a good speech.

Anyone interested can read it here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/transcripts/bushtext_012803.html

[DRoseDARs]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
concrete evidence exists I think

mainly that we know that Iraq had WoMD, and he has not shown he has destroyed them

Jon Miller

But that is common knowledge; it isn't anything new. They've been saying they have credible evidence of recent misdeeds (post-Gulf War I) for a while now. This is the evidence that will make-or-break the President's case for war. If it turns out to be more smoke-and-mirror or same-old-song-and-dance evidence, the President is going to lose all credibility with the international community and he can forget getting any additional allies. Of course that's a moot point anyway since Bush Jr. DID NOT WANT to go through the UN first in dealing with Iraq, he wanted to attack months ago, so this whole deal was nothing more than humoring anti-war proponents.

I don't believe this (coming) war is about oil or revenge (assasination attempt on Bush Sr. by Iraqi forces). I think Bush Jr. truly believes Saddam needs to go 'cause he is a "bad man." And he does, but Bush Jr. is taking a major gamble in withholding evidence - citing "National Security Concerns" or some mumbo-jumbo BS like that - from the world that demands proof.

Saddam does need to go. He is a bad man. He has played the UN like a fiddle for 10 years. He is a threat to everyone in the region and the world. But the USA stands to lose A LOT MORE if our leaders handle this the wrong way. Is war the answer, probably not, but is it avoidable?

Probably not...



Back on-topic, some commentator mentioned AIDS in the speech, something like expanded aid to Africa to help fight AIDS being the second thing mentioned in his speech? Is that correct?

[orange]

a tiny bit of mixed with a crapload of , but all the is lies anyway, so who cares?

[Edan]

On AIDS (from the site I linked. I've bolded some of it in case you don't want to read the whole thing):

Today, on the continent of Africa, nearly 30 million people have the AIDS virus, including 3 million children under the age of 15. There are whole countries in Africa where more than one-third of the adult population carries the infection. More than 4 million require immediate drug treatment. Yet across that continent, only 50,000 AIDS victims--only 50,000--are receiving the medicine they need.

Because the AIDS diagnosis is considered a death sentence, many do not seek treatment. Almost all who do are turned away.

A doctor in rural South Africa describes his frustration. He says, ``We have no medicines, many hospitals tell people, 'You've got AIDS. We can't help you. Go home and die'.'' In an age of miraculous medicines, no person should have to hear those words.

(APPLAUSE)

AIDS can be prevented. Anti-retroviral drugs can extend life for many years. And the cost of those drugs has dropped from $12,000 a year to under $300 a year, which places a tremendous possibility within our grasp.

Ladies and gentlemen, seldom has history offered a greater opportunity to do so much for so many. We have confronted, and will continue to confront, HIV/AIDS in our own country. And to meet a severe and urgent crisis abroad, tonight I propose the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a work of mercy beyond all current international efforts to help the people of Africa.

This comprehensive plan will prevent 7 million new AIDS infections, treat at least 2 million people with life-extending drugs and provide humane care for millions of people suffering from AIDS and for children orphaned by AIDS.

I ask the Congress to commit $15 billion over the next five years, including nearly $10 billion in new money, to turn the tide against AIDS in the most afflicted nations of Africa and the Caribbean.

(APPLAUSE)

This nation can lead the world in sparing innocent people from a plague of nature.

[Ned]

Bush said that he wanted 15 billion over the next five years to help. He expects the program to prevent 7.5 million new cases, to supply medicine for 2 million sufferers and support for orphans.

It is time for the Europeans to do their share and help out as well. What the US is providing is not enough.

But this program is good news for Africa and good news for humanity.

[Ned]

Originally posted by orange
a tiny bit of mixed with a crapload of , but all the is lies anyway, so who cares?

Orange, spoken like a Democrat.

[orange]

I'm not a Democrat

[Ned]

The speech was a message of hope for the United States, for Africa and for Iraq. It was delivered in a very subdued tone - I listened in the car on the way home from work. Near the end of the speedh, Bush seemed to become very serious. It is very clear that a war with Iraq is now almost inevitable.

[Ned]

Originally posted by orange
I'm not a Democrat

I know. However, if you were a Democrat, you would say the very same thing.

[Urban Ranger]

"And to meet a severe and urgent crisis abroad, tonight I propose the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a work of mercy beyond all current international efforts to help the people of Africa.

This comprehensive plan will prevent 7 million new AIDS infections, treat at least 2 million people with life-extending drugs and provide humane care for millions of people suffering from AIDS and for children orphaned by AIDS.

I ask the Congress to commit $15 billion over the next five years, including nearly $10 billion in new money, to turn the tide against AIDS in the most afflicted nations of Africa and the Caribbean."

I must be stupid or something. Why would the US block an international deal to supply African nations with cheap medicine not that long ago if W. really cares about these people?