Saturday, November 08, 2003

THE SPEECH THAT WAS NEEDED

Sometime last year, I was talking on the phone with a friend of mine and I lamented the fact that the Bush presidency had yet to produce any memorable speeches. I said that in the past, at times of great conflict and challenge, American presidents have produced speeches that re-affirmed their nation's committment to the cause of liberty. I cited off the top of my head F.D.R's fire side chat on national security, and his declaration that "we must be the great arsenal of democracy," and then J.F.K's inaugural address in which he proclaimed, "let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty." I complained that Bush had yet to produce such a speech and frankly I doubted he would ever be able to.

I'm not sure that the president's speech on Thursday to the National Endowment for Democracy matches the two cited above but it comes close. It is certainly the best speech this president has ever delivered. It reaches to the levels those other speeches achieved in declaring America's absolute commitment to the defence of freedom and its propogation across the globe.

Nearing the end of the speech the president described the attributes of successful society. It is a description that could serve almost as a manifesto for this blog, if there was not already a speech by a Canadian leader describing what a Just Society should be. Nevertheless, and this is perhaps the only time this will happen, I quote President George W. Bush with admiration:

"There are, however, essential principles common to every successful society, in every culture. Successful societies limit the power of the state and the power of the military -- so that governments respond to the will of the people, and not the will of an elite. Successful societies protect freedom with the consistent and impartial rule of law, instead of selecting applying -- selectively applying the law to punish political opponents. Successful societies allow room for healthy civic institutions -- for political parties and labor unions and independent newspapers and broadcast media. Successful societies guarantee religious liberty -- the right to serve and honor God without fear of persecution. Successful societies privatize their economies, and secure the rights of property. They prohibit and punish official corruption, and invest in the health and education of their people. They recognize the rights of women. And instead of directing hatred and resentment against others, successful societies appeal to the hopes of their own people."

Indeed.
For further comment on the speech, albeit conservative reaction, start at Mader Blog and follow his links.

Posted by Matthew @ 2:24 a.m.