Rating the Speech

Today, I would like to offer an objective, dispassionate evaluation of the speech given by George W. Bush last night.

Oh, who the hell do I think I'm kidding?! I'm going to beat Idiot Boy like a red-headed stepchild!

Let's get started, shall we?

In the third paragraph:

The troops here and across the world are fighting a global war on terror. The war reached our shores on September 11, 2001. The terrorists who attacked us and the terrorists we face murder in the name of a totalitarian ideology that hates freedom, rejects tolerance and despises all dissent. Their aim is to remake the Middle East in their own grim image of tyranny and oppression by toppling governments, driving us out of the region and by exporting terror.

So. The first reference to September 11th comes in the first minute of the speech. Want more? Read on!

After September 11, I made a commitment to the American people: This nation will not wait to be attacked again. We will defend our freedom. We will take the fight to the enemy.

Another reference to September 11th, in the very next paragraph!

But it gets better:

Many terrorists who kill innocent men, women and children on the streets of Baghdad are followers of the same murderous ideology that took the lives of our citizens in New York, in Washington and Pennsylvania.

Again, in the next paragraph, yet another reference to September 11th!

A few paragraphs later:

The lesson of this experience is clear: The terrorists can kill the innocent but they cannot stop the advance of freedom. The only way our enemies can succeed is if we forget the lessons of September 11, if we abandon the Iraqi people to men like Zarqawi and if we yield the future of the Middle East to men like bin Laden.

For those keeping score at home, that's four references to September 11th so far.

But there's more:

We are fighting against men with blind hatred and armed with lethal weapons who are capable of any atrocity. They wear no uniform; they respect no laws of warfare or morality. They take innocent lives to create chaos for the cameras. They are trying to shake our will in Iraq just as they tried to shake our will on September 11, 2001.

That's five.

And, in the last paragraph:

After September 11, 2001, I told the American people that the road ahead would be difficult and that we would prevail

Yes, folks, that's six references to September 11th in one half-hour-long speech. And every single one is designed to hammer home the same message: Iraq was responsible for September 11th. The problem, of course, is that it's just not true!

Frankly, this whole speech disgusts me (and yes, I did read the whole thing!) Especially this part:

In this time of testing, our troops can know: The American people are behind you. Next week, our nation has an opportunity to make sure that support is felt by every soldier, sailor, airman, Coast Guardsman and Marine at every outpost across the world. This Fourth of July, I ask you to find a way to thank the men and women defending our freedom by flying the flag, sending letters to our troops in the field or helping the military family down the street

Translation: It's up to you to help our troops, 'cause we're not gonna lift a finger!

In short, the whole speech was composed of dishonest references to September 11th, rosy views of the horrible situation in Iraq, and shameless appeals to American patriotism.

I suppose I should take some comfort from the unscientific AOL poll that rates the President's speech as follows: Poor 51% Excellent 28% Fair 11% Good 10%.

At least the majority of AOL subscribers don't seem to have their head up their ass!

In case you have any doubts as to the accuracy of the speech quotes above, here's a full transcript.