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May 27, 2006
Commencement Address at the United States Military Academy at West Point

From the President's speech today:

The field of battle is where your degree and commission will take you. This is the first class to arrive at West Point after the attacks of September the 11th, 2001. Each of you came here in a time of war, knowing all the risks and dangers that come with wearing our nation's uniform. And I want to thank you for your patriotism, your devotion to duty, your courageous decision to serve. America is grateful and proud of the men and women of West Point.

The reality of war has surrounded you since your first moments at this Academy. More than 50 of your fellow cadets here at West Point have already seen combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. And 34 times since your class arrived, you have observed a moment of silence in Washington Hall to honor a former cadet fallen in the war on terror. Each loss is heartbreaking -- and each loss has made you even more determined to pick up their mantle, to carry on their fight, and to achieve victory. We will honor the memory of these brave souls. We will finish the task for which they gave their lives. We will complete the mission.

West Point has adapted to prepare you for the war you're about to enter. Since the attacks of September the 11th, 2001, this Academy has established a new Combating Terrorism Center, a new minor in Terrorism Studies, with new courses in counter-insurgency operations, intelligence, and homeland security, and winning the peace. West Point has expanded Arabic language training, has hired new faculty with expertise in Islamic law and culture, brought in members of the 101st and 82nd Airborne to train you and share their experiences on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan. And each of you endured grueling Saturday training events where you practiced identifying IEDs, conducting convoy operations and running checkpoints. By changing to meet the new threats, West Point has given you the skills you will need in Afghanistan and Iraq -- and for the long war with Islamic radicalism that will be the focus of much of your military careers.

It is a shame, really, that so many people in this country, out of a bizarre desire to hate President Bush all the time, have cut themselves off from the men and women who are fighting and winning this War on Terrorism. So hate-filled have the critics become that they will believe any slander about these magnificent men and women - what this amounts to is our troops paying the price for the critics desire to wallow in hatred. It really is too bad.

Fortunately, the troops have continued faithful - there is no wavering among them, no desire to quit short of absolute victory. I believe that they are sustained in this by the American people - meaning that I believe the American people support the troops and their efforts and will continue to do so until total victory, even if things get frustrating from time to time. My only worry is whether we'll have a President on January 20th, 2009 who has the courage to sustain our military against the critics.

God bless them all, and good luck to the West Point class of '06.

Posted by Mark Noonan at May 27, 2006 01:25 PM



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Comments

To quote a former president - there you go again!

You are trying to promote (and shield from criticism) a flawed foreign policy decision by marrying it to the honorable service and sacrifice of our troops. And to do it this weekend is in particularly bad taste.

Everybody supports the troops and no one wants to see them get injured or killed. Everybody respects the great sacrifice they make. When troops are accused or abuse or wrongdoing, we seek the truth -as a just society should. Even when there are found to be rare instances of wrongdoing, we seek to blame the leaders rather than the foot soldiers.

Support for the troops has nothing to do with support for the administration and its policies. When it comes right down to it, many in the administration, including #1 and #2, don't deserve to be associated the honor of our fine military men and women. They pulled every string of priviledge to avoid dangerous military service when the call came to them.

Do the decent thing - just thank the troops for their fine service and leave the political statements and liberal hating out of it!

Posted by: extramedium [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 27, 2006 02:08 PM

"You are trying to promote (and shield from criticism) a flawed foreign policy decision by marrying it to the honorable service and sacrifice of our troops. And to do it this weekend is in particularly bad taste."

Right on the money, extra. The honorable service of our troops can never buttress a flawed foreign policy. If the proponents of that flawed policy use this as an argument, you know that they are grasping at straws, and in their grasping have become despicable. I am a veteran of this war, and though I am proud to have served my country, I know that my and my soldiers being in mortal danger did not serve to make anyone here at home any safer. That if any of us were to die, it would be in the service of a wrong-headed, naive and destuctive foreign policy.
Mark will no doubt dispute this notion, probably by asserting that I am unable to read a map, and thus present the geopolitical rationale for invading Iraq as self-evident (thereby neatly avoiding actually explaining said rationale). Moreover, I suspect that Mark will refuse to address the notion that engaging in preemptive war has historically proved dangerous and destructive, preferring to force-fit every current geopolitical situation into a "Munich 1938" paradigm. Doesn't anyone here find it interesting that when arguing for the Iraq war, this paradigm was constantly referred to, and the the actual historical experience that the British had in occupying Iraq was completely ignored? On the part of a Victor Davis Hanson (who, incidentally, is not respected by his fellow military historians), this is mendacious -- what is it for Mark?

Posted by: mun13f [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 27, 2006 03:17 PM

Extra,

Whether it is a flawed policy is a matter open to debate...a difficult debate because it is nearly impossible for me to comprehend the point of view which holds that the liberation of millions is bad policy...that aside, however, you error of view shows through when you say that you don't want them injured or killed...the proper thing to say is that you want them to emerge victorious.

You see, that is what MUST be the result when America commits its soldiers to battle - victory, nothing more and nothing less. Victory in spite of whatever cost must be paid.

It is a betrayal of the troops to say their efforts in Iraq are a failure, or that they have been committing crimes - you can't say "I support the troops, but what they have done is evil and stupid". That is just asinine.

Posted by: Mark Noonan [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 27, 2006 04:11 PM

Mark - What's asinine is to suggest that anybody is saying that what the troops are doing is "evil and stupid". The troops just follow orders - from the foot soldier right up the chain to the civilian leadership. The troops are very good at what they do and have done a fine job in Iraq, in spite of the fact that their mission was poorly conceived and under resourced.

The troops didn't decide to invade Iraq. The administration did that. It was a bad call.

Victory for the troops means serving honorably and getting home to their families in one piece. Are you trying to say that if this flawed policy fails to produce a US friendly democracy in Iraq, that some shame lies with the troops? That their service and sacrifice was for nought? I think not. They've done their job admirably, regardless of the outcome. The shame of failure will fall squarely on the administration and the administration alone.

Posted by: extramedium [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 27, 2006 04:33 PM

The military will do what it is instructed to do, which includes dying. That is why the military deserves respect. Those that order the dying are the people that the Left have issues with. Victory for the military means staying alive. Support the troops and bring them home today. Peace

Posted by: steve at May 27, 2006 07:00 PM

Bravo! Well stated. Thank you both.

Posted by: raker13 [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 27, 2006 07:19 PM

I don't think ANYONE really knows if Iraq will be a "success" or not until several years or decades into the future. When I compare what we've done in Iraq to what we did in WWII (mission, casualties, cost...check FDR's "deficit" during the war sometime..., and results, things look pretty good in Iraq. I mean, considering we "attacked" a nation that didn't attack us...sort of like the Germans... but, hey, who's reading history anyway...

Posted by: John at May 27, 2006 07:36 PM

But - Kerry compared our troops to terrorists didn't he? And, the liberal elite is barely involved. Many schools hate the military and don't want their recruiters on campus. When they do go, they're harassed. Almost no Ivy League people are signing on. So in ten or fifteen years, how will the liberals be able to claim any bona fides when it comes to military force? They will look as stupid as Dukakis in a tank or John Kerry hunting.

Posted by: Kahn [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 27, 2006 07:59 PM

"Whether it is a flawed policy is a matter open to debate...a difficult debate because it is nearly impossible for me to comprehend the point of view which holds that the liberation of millions is bad policy..."

When we, as a nation, have perfected our own society, then we can advise other nations on how to do the same. The billions of dollars and millions of manhours would be better spent educating our children, protecting our own citizens, and improving the quality of life for those people within our borders. Blasting into another country, based on false claims, and bullying them into adopting our belief system is a waste of human life, both ours and theirs.

"you error of view shows through when you say that you don't want them injured or killed...the proper thing to say is that you want them to emerge victorious."

Emerging victorious? How, precisely, would you define victory in this war?

Posted by: PosterChild at May 27, 2006 10:05 PM

Personally, I liked the part where he admitted that the war on terror began on his watch, and he was passing on the buck to the graduates because he is unable to fix it himself.


Just like when he admitted that the decision on pulling troops out will be up to "future presidents" because he totally screwed things up and has not a clue how to fix it before his watch ends, so he just passes the problem onto his successor in typical Republican fashion.

Clearly it will take a Democratic President to fix this mess, the Republicans are over their head and drowning.

Posted by: axis [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 27, 2006 10:47 PM

...preferring to force-fit every current geopolitical situation into a "Munich 1938" paradigm.

Oh, and you don't try to force-fit it into a "Vietnam 1972" paradigm?

Bravo! Well stated. Thank you both.

The mark of a window-licker. Raper13 and Baloney2000, joined at the head, at birth. When the surgeons successfully separated the two, unfortunately, 90% of the cranial matter spilled to the floor, leaving both babies hopelessly mentally deficient. Barely able to read or write, Raper and Baloney frequent the blogosphere, making total fools of themselves. But we pity them, and allow them this meaninless pleasure, for it is all they have. War

Posted by: keefer [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 27, 2006 10:52 PM

The first few scriptures that I have quoted here are an example of what God will do for those that put their trust in him,be it an individual soldiar or a whole army.When God is in it there are no flaws.


Psalm 18:34,37-41,46.

He teacheth my hands to war,so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
I have pursued mine enemies,and overtaken them:neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
I have wounded them that they were not able to rise:they are fallen under my feet.
For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle:thou hast subdued under me those that have rose up against me.
Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies;that I might destroy them that hate me.
They cried,but there was none to save them:even unto the Lord,but he answered them not.

This is what we should say when the battle is over!!!!!

The Lord liveth;and blessed be the rock;and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Posted by: Jeremiah [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 27, 2006 10:55 PM

One more thing.

I think George felt the same way,when he spoke today when he spoke to the cadets at west point.

I commend him for a wonderful speech,and the compassion he had for some of the finest,bravest,and respectable that america has to offer.

Posted by: Jeremiah [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 27, 2006 11:03 PM

The first few scriptures that I have quoted here are an example of what God will do for those that put their trust in him,be it an individual soldiar or a whole army.When God is in it there are no flaws.

-- Wow, Jeremiah in your eyes the more soldiers that die the better because they get to meet their maker and enjoy his love all the sooner.

No wonder you radical right wingnuts have absolutely no problem sending countless lives to their deaths without a second thought, yet it is never yourselves that you put in harms way.

Posted by: axis [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 27, 2006 11:10 PM

"No wonder you radical right wingnuts have absolutely no problem sending countless lives to their deaths without a second thought, yet it is never yourselves that you put in harms way."

Never ourselves that we put in harms way? Really? So seeing as how about 70% of the military is conservative proves you right?

You liberals are so concerned about troop deaths in the war on terror but you still support an act that has killed more humans than Hitler's Germany, Stalin's Soviet Union, and Pol Pot's regime combined...Do you know what that is? ABORTION. Get out of my face with that "I'm concerned about human life" bs.

Posted by: BushRocks [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 27, 2006 11:36 PM

axis,

Who do you think you are? A mind reader!

You totally misinterprett everyone here,YOU BEAT ALL,YOU KNOW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote"Wow,jeremiah in your eyes the more soldiers that die the better because they get to meet their maker and enjoy his love all the sooner"unquote

First of all it's not what is in my interest that counts but it's the person who wrote the scripture that I have quoted,...and............. when I said:When God is in it there are no flaws,Just like I said it and in the same way the scripture means it,,, God does the guiding,the providing,and the provisioning,so that none are lost to war........

But only for those who trust in him.........

AND HEY.................

When the next BIG DRAFT rolls around,and provided I'm still living and you are; I wanta see ya there,Now you heard me,I WANTA SEE YA THERE,NO EXCUSES..............

Posted by: Jeremiah [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 27, 2006 11:37 PM

Keef,(if I may call you Keef) I kinda feel like I really know you. Your the man! Geez I wish I shared a little more of your world. I would bet my last dollar your a real tough guy. A man among men. As such, I have a memorial day wish for you. (Because I know you can handle it) My wish for you if I could grant it would be for you to disappear and resurface as, oh I don't know...a twenty or thirty year old relatively healthy Iraqi man living in the outskirts if Bagdad. You would have a wife and two daughters. You are not a terrorist. Just a guy trying to keep himself and his family alive. Yeah, that's what I wish for you. Grovling, scavenging, thirsting, surviving. Always on the lookout, never knowing who to trust. Never ever saying the wrong thing. Praying intently that his family would be safe each day upon his return. Yeah, that's my wish for you.

Or, my other wish may be that you resurface as a migrant farm worker. Born into poverty. Again, scraping, working, sweating, trying so hard just to survive. Again you have a wife with two daughters. Again you spend day after day away from them trying to make some precious money so the kids and wife can get some cheap shoes and maybe enough food to fill their belly's.

Each place you go, the people who moderate and vent their rightwing aggression here on this blog meet you. To make your worthless life a bit more miserable. Just because your born that way. One of the heathen.

Alas, one can only wish...

Posted by: raker13 [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 27, 2006 11:51 PM

Never ourselves that we put in harms way? Really? So seeing as how about 70% of the military is conservative proves you right?

-- Yeah, but isn't it strange how to go to Iraq conservatives, but when they return, many, many are liberals because they saw the errors of their ways dying right in front of them

Posted by: axis [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 28, 2006 12:27 AM

AXIS,

Your'e twisting it again axis,Now why don't you just SHUT UP and GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!

THIS IS BLOGS FOR BUSH,NOT HATE FOR BUSH!!!!

THERE ARE PLENTY OF RABIDLY INSANE LEFT-WING FASCIST SITES OUT THERE THAT WOULD FEEL MOST WELCOME TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NOW GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Jeremiah [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 28, 2006 12:36 AM

But, jeremiah I can make a difference here.

No sense in speaking to people that already know the truth and about the corruption.

While there are many here that have your heads in the sand, there are many more left on the fence and the truth sets them free to either stay home in November or to go to the polls and vote Democrat.

The truth hurts, I know.

Posted by: axis [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 28, 2006 01:08 AM

President Bush gave another great speech at West Point today. I used to wonder what it must have been like to live during the times of Abraham Lincoln or Winston Churchill. Now I know. I feel I am even luckier to be alive today during Lincoln or Churchills time. What a great leader President Bush is!

Posted by: james allegro at May 28, 2006 01:12 AM

Extra,

Were you ever in the military?

Waaaay back when I was a young American sailor...nothing special about me, just another swabbie out on patrol, defending the ramparts of liberty.

I was on board a ship of about 300 men - an without a moments hesitation I would have laid my life down for any of them. Seriously - just like that; there would be no question about it. And that was peace time - for servicemembers in war, it is even more intense. You must understand that these men and women LOVE each other - they fight because they love, and are willing to make that supreme sacrifice so that which they love may endure.

The Vietnam veterans I have know have this enduring regret which sometimes boils up into anger - anger over the fact that so many people they loved dearly had a die in a war that the political class in the United States lacked the will to see through to victory. Fighting bravely is fine and noble - but the men who fight bravely want it to mean something: and for it to mean something must primarily mean victory...they have to win, lest the blood sacrifice of men they loved more than their father or their brother be in vain.

I was once one of those young men we have in Iraq - and I'm certain that the overwhelming majority of them just want to win, and then go home...and they are disgusted with those at home who are denigrating their efforts - calling victory, defeat; calling honorable service, dishonorable.

Posted by: Mark Noonan [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 28, 2006 01:27 AM

raper, that post really made me stop and think. I stopped and thought, "How could anyone write so poorly, and still be alive?"

I have a wish for you, but I'll keep it to myself. You're a walking, talking parrot, a waste of my time.

Axis, you make no difference here. There are no fence-sitters, none stupid enough to understand the gibberish you spew. We've heard everything you posted, long before you repeated the words of Franken and Dean. Take Jeremiah's advice, and go to a kook site, where you'll be viewed as smart. Here, you're just another kook moron. Sorry, girlfriend, the truth hurts sometimes. Call it tough love, but you're just an idiot. War

Posted by: keefer [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 28, 2006 01:53 AM

Keefer, can you try and act like an adult for ten minuntes? Thanks.

Posted by: teenage liberal [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 28, 2006 02:36 AM

Keefer, can you try and act like an adult for ten minuntes? Thanks.

-- Its hard for one to act as something which one has never been.

I am beginnning to think keefer is a 13 or 14 year old army-wannabe kid playing with his GI Joes, and mom and dad's computer.

Posted by: axis [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 28, 2006 03:07 AM

Sorry, teenaged window-licker and axis of dumbassery, but i tend to bring the level of my discourse down to the level of those I am talking to. In your cases, however, I can't bring it down that low. You're bookends, a pair of morons who can't write, nor can either of you think for yourselves.

I turned 50 two weeks ago; I'm probably older than the both of you two morons combined. As intellect goes, I've forgotten more than the two of you pukes will ever know in your pathetic lives. In a battle of wits, you two come unarmed. Why don't you two head on over to a blog more suited to your aptitude. Try sesamestreet.com--you'll find it challenging.

Posted by: keefer [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 28, 2006 08:16 AM

keefer

This blog would not nearly be so interesting without our left-wing kookie input. Who would you insult? You can't go after those who share your misguided loyalty to the Bush administration.

Different opinions make for better reading.

Posted by: Canadian Observer [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 28, 2006 08:31 AM

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