You can't blame a Skull for sounding like a war-obsessed asshole. That's my assessment of the President's speech. After all, a WAR is how a Skull proves himself. And if it is a time of peace, well, he just has to down some Chinese planes, or vacate a UN Durban Racism Council in order to create one.
Will we pay attention to the current media distraction, AKA John Walker, or whatever his name was? Or will we seek the truth about how Enron was paying everyone off to look the other way?
Having, in my job, spoken to the people who are mostly addicted to 200 channels of BS there is no intelligent life on Earth, and everyone will fall for whatever they are told by the media. Suckers they are, they will eat up the BS that is Bush's speech with fervor, especially if "both parties" agree. Well, of course they have Skull members there, too.
They will beleive in the invisible Terrorists. Yes, they will beleive in the invisible Terrorists, for they shall be an ongoing threat (smirk at that thought because there is an endless war or "terrorism" and anyone who doesn't agree with what Skull-y says could be labelled a "terrorist".
For example, how many times does Bush-Skull say America in his speech? If we consider America to be more than the sum of it's people, the sum of it's oil consumption, the sum of its consumerism, then why worry about the future. We will surely all be dead, in no time under the Skull and Bones' plan. Since all the other aging bastard politicians rally behind him (or face the scrutiny of the overly zealous patriotic public, they are told), there is nothing that can be done to stop these WASTEFUL plans from going into effect.
Basically, the president was just telling people WHAT THEY WANTED TO HEAR. It was overly prepackaged. And stupid. There is nothing new in the political world. There are parties that do one thing and parties that do another. How can there be any freedom in that rederick? How can there be any freedom of choice in a land where someone STEALS AN ELECTION, DELIBERATELY STARTS A WAR, and THEN WASTES ALL OUR MONEY!?
here is a xscript of the prez's speech, for you. And my replies in red.
9:15 P.M. ESTTHE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, members of Congress, distinguished guests, fellow citizens and slaves of Belial like myself... : As we gather tonight, our nation is at war, our economy is in recession Enron? , and the civilized world faces unprecedented dangers all of which are your fault, you moron - apologize! . Yet the state of our Union has never been stronger. (Applause.) Bull. We are at war because we say we ae, and how can we be proud of killing innocent Afghan children? By pledging money in drives that will go to create a new Taliban-like government, for future scapegoats for domestic governmental acts of terror!?
We last met in an hour of shock and suffering. In four short months, our nation has comforted the victims, begun to rebuild New York wow, the whole state, Bushie? and the Pentagon too late, you already let the beast out of its cage , rallied a great coalition come on, go ahead, call it the NEW WORLD ORDER if you wanna , captured, arrested, and rid the world of thousands of terrorists like William Cooper, huh? , destroyed Afghanistan's terrorist training camps that we built, saved a people from starvation that our government helped to create, and freed a country from brutal oppression which we also helped to establish, through the CIA back in the 70's . (Applause.) But what about YOUR brutal oppression? What about the starving people your defense bill could have otherwise gone to feed?
The American flag flies again over our embassy in Kabul. Yet no american knows how the fuck to pronounce it. Terrorists who once occupied Afghanistan now occupy cells at Guantanamo Bay. This somehow reminds me of the whole Noriega thing, don't you think? (Applause.) And terrorist leaders who urged followers to sacrifice their lives are running for their own. But you fought a war from thousands of miles away, aren't you a pussy, too? (Applause.)
America and Afghanistan are now allies against terror. Just like we were before, we trade money for guns and hash and some people to come over and scare our people. We'll be partners in rebuilding that country IN OUR IMAGE, bwahahahah! . And this evening we welcome the distinguished interim leader of a liberated Afghanistan: Chairman Hamid Karzai. cue the shot of some arabian guy dressed up to look like he's important, Americans will never know there is no real government in Kabul... (Applause.)
The last time we met in this chamber, the mothers and daughters of Afghanistan were captives in their own homes, forbidden from working or going to school. And what is whrong with not working, I ask you? Today women are free, DO YOU THINK WORK MAKES YOU FREE... hey, wasn't that a sign in a NAZI DEATH CAMP? Fuckin' nazi, just like your grandfather... and are part of Afghanistan's new government. And we welcome the new Minister of Women's Affairs, Doctor Sima Samar. (Applause.)
Our progress is a tribute to the spirit of the Afghan people, to the resolve of our coalition, and to the might of the United States military. What does this sentence mean to YOU? It is a roscharch test, an inkblot that someone forgot to wipe away from the speech. And it's the same kind of bullshit that people think they want to hear. Put a few choice words in a sentence and it sounds cool. But it's still bullshit. ANd remember, the opposite of progress is Congress. (Applause.) When I called our troops into action, I did so with complete confidence in their courage and skill. Well, we had hoped you had sent Gomer Pyle in, man. You just wanted to stick a few more choice words in a sentence to sound cool. "When I called MY troops into action, I told them they better kill every little afghan child and make those bastards fear america, so we can rebuild their country in our image and rape their hash crops before the Vatican does. And build that new oil pipeline..." But would you have really wanted to say THAT on TV? And tonight, thanks to them, we are winning the war on terror. and now, the invisible enemy threat!!!! The PHANTOM MENACE... (Applause.) The man and women of our Armed Forces have delivered a message now clear to every enemy of the United States: Even 7,000 miles away, across oceans and continents, on mountaintops and in caves -- you will not escape the justice of this nation. And an eye for an eye makes everyone blind. Dumbass. But this is your average Skull/Order bullshit, the "you can run but you can't hide" either spoken by a redneck or a mass murderer. Or in Bush's case, both. (Applause.)
For many Americans, these four months have brought sorrow, and pain that will never completely go away. Every day a retired firefighter returns to Ground Zero, to feel closer to his two sons who died there. At a memorial in New York, a little boy left his football with a note for his lost father: Dear Daddy, please take this to heaven. I don't want to play football until I can play with you again some day.
Then there is the deep sorrow in my reptilian heart every time i go to Bohemian Grove and make sacrifices to Moloch. And there is a great pain in my throat when I try to swallow a pretzel. And bruises on my head. But daddy says that I will rule the world like the son of Satan someday if I follow this plan so that's okay. No pain, no gain, huh America?
Last month, at the grave of her husband, Michael, a CIA officer and Marine who died in Mazur-e-Sharif, Shannon Spann said these words of farewell: "Semper Fi, my love." Shannon is with us tonight. (Applause.) But what about the person who died for you Bushy, so you could get lots of Hash?
Shannon, I assure you and all who have lost a loved one that our cause is just, and our country will never forget the debt we owe Michael and all who gave their lives for freedom. Our cause is just what? And what about the debt our country will be in because of your fucking policies?
Our cause is just, and it continues. Continues to rob Americans of their freedom right in front of their faces with the PHANTOM MENACE (terrorism). Hey, did you go to the Palpatine school of Emperorism, or what? Our discoveries in Afghanistan confirmed our worst fears, Yeah, It might be really hard to build a pipeline there, and the Hash is pretty scarce in the part that we took over. and showed us the true scope of the task ahead. Yes, the NEW WORLD ORDER is a pretty big plan... We have seen the depth of our enemies' hatred in videos, where they laugh about the loss of innocent life. Actually they were saying something else, but since we translated it for you, you will just have to beleive that story for now... And the depth of their hatred is equaled by the madness of the destruction they design. And hatred is good because it feeds the Qliphoth we serve, so wee'll do our best not only to make them mad, by doing things like we did in Durban (which y'all forgot about), but also by making some of you paranoids mad, too... by killing people like Willaim Cooper. We have found diagrams of American nuclear power plants and public water facilities, detailed instructions for making chemical weapons, surveillance maps of American cities, and thorough descriptions of landmarks in America and throughout the world. Thanks in part to us and Rand McNally. So.
What we have found in Afghanistan confirms that, far from ending there, our war against terror is only beginning. Most of the 19 men who hijacked planes on September the 11th were trained in Afghanistan's camps, and so were tens of thousands of others. Thousands of dangerous killers, schooled in the methods of murder, often supported by outlaw regimes, are now spread throughout the world like ticking time bombs, set to go off without warning. Or, at least we will say that there are. You will beleive us. You will OBEY. You will ph33r the phantom menace we are creating for you.
Thanks to the work of our law enforcement officials and coalition partners read: voices of ORDER and Authority, or the fucking Conspiracy buggers , hundreds of terrorists have been arrested. Yet, tens of thousands of trained terrorists are still at large. These enemies view the entire world as a battlefield, much like the skull and bones alumni do and we must pursue them wherever they are. (Applause.) So long as training camps operate, so long as nations harbor terrorists, freedom is at risk. At least the freedom to live of the people that we arbitrarily declare war upon. It's a pretty good excuse to make war, huh? And America and our allies must not, and will not, allow it. (Applause.)
Our nation will continue to be steadfast and patient and persistent in the pursuit of two great objectives. First, we will shut down terrorist camps, disrupt terrorist plans, and bring terrorists to justice. but don't the actions of your own agency support terrorists in order to gain money, and favors? You build up your straw terrorists, to knock them down... make a muhjadinn today to create a "taliban" tomorrow? heh. And, second, we must prevent the terrorists and regimes who seek chemical, biological or nuclear weapons from threatening the United States and the world. Uh, hello. Who the fuck came up with those in the 1st place?? That would be us. So if anyone else gets the plans how to do that, isn't is your fault? (Applause.)
Our military has put the terror training camps of Afghanistan out of business, funny word, that, business. Weren't y'all the one's doing business with them in the first place? yet camps still exist in at least a dozen countries that we will arbitrarily name later... . A terrorist underworld -- including groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, Jaish-i-Mohammed -- operates in remote jungles and deserts, and hides in the centers of large cities. But nevermind the vast network of terrorism rampant in our own country which goes by the name Big Business. Or how about the Military Terrorist Front of America. Uh, you call it the Army, I think.
While the most visible military action is in Afghanistan, America is acting elsewhere. In our own country... For example, William Cooper ... and to cover up our own involvement, we are trying to shut up Daschel, who wants to know more. Didn't the anthrax that Bush sent him threaten him enough? We now have troops in the Philippines, helping to train that country's armed forces to go after terrorist cells that have executed an American, and still hold hostages. Our soldiers, working with the Bosnian government, seized terrorists who were plotting to bomb our embassy. Our Navy is patrolling the coast of Africa to block the shipment of weapons and the establishment of terrorist camps in Somalia. and other places that America has some kind of interest in overtaking eventually.
My hope is that all nations will heed our call, and eliminate the terrorist parasites who threaten their countries and our own. But due to our materialism, mostly our own. Many nations are acting forcefully. Pakistan is now cracking down on terror, and I admire the strong leadership of President Musharraf. Wouldn't 'cracking down' also be a form of terror in of itself? (Applause.)
But some governments will be timid in the face of terror. And make no mistake about it: If they do not act, America will. yeah, act like a bunch of bullies. Anger underlies fear. An attack only happens our of fear. Fear of losing something, whether it be a pipeline or the ability to control poppy fields... Remember that it is an ACT, and AMERICA DID THIS TO ITSELF. Why? $$$$, and the control of the world. Ask yourself, WHO BENEFITS? Who gets a raise, who looks good on TV? Hmmmm? (Applause.)
Our second goal is to prevent regimes remember that Bush was not properly elected by America, he was elected by the Supreme Court. His rule was mostly by Justices that his daddy appointed before Clinton was in office. If Gore was in office, this might not have happened. At least on this scale. Bush is the son of a Bush, who attacked the middle east before. In the Clinton era, they tried to stay out of it. Taliban, so what. Bush was going around and blatantly stating things like Missle Defense this, trying to be an ASS in the hopes that someone WOULD attack us. His rule is a regime in of itself! - that sponsor terror from threatening America or our friends and allies with weapons of mass destruction. Some of these regimes have been pretty quiet since September the 11th. But we know their true nature. North Korea is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while starving its citizens. Are we pissing you off yet, North Korea? Are we making you angry at us? Geez, these Stone Cold Steve Autism tactics are pretty lame Bush. You creating fear is only creating more war. All of this is YOUR FAULT. I am holding you PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS of the people in the World Slave Center, innocent or not.
Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an unelected few repress the Iranian people's hope for freedom. Oh, by the way, Iran, we're trying to piss you off too. Are ya' watchin'?
Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward America and to support terror. The Iraqi regime has plotted to develop anthrax, and nerve gas, and nuclear weapons for over a decade. This is a regime that has already used poison gas to murder thousands of its own citizens -- leaving the bodies of mothers huddled over their dead children. This is a regime that agreed to international inspections -- then kicked out the inspectors. This is a regime that has something to hide from the civilized world. Could it be that Tower of Babel that he is trying to build? Could it be the mind control that our CIA conducts on him? What could it be? Hmmmm?
States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world. axis, huh, sounds like some World War 3 talk, there buddy. My God, YOU ARE THE ANTI-CHRIST. Heh, I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN... By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. What about us? We already have thousands of such weapons.... Aren't WE a threat? Hey asshole, watch what you say! They WE could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred. They could attack our allies or attempt to blackmail the United States. Just trying to cover all of our bases there.... In any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catastrophic.
We will work closely with our coalition to deny terrorists and their state sponsors the materials, technology, and expertise to make and deliver weapons of mass destruction. We will develop and deploy effective missile defenses to protect America and our allies from sudden attack. Even though such things do not work, I will waste your money on it... maybe we can build an army of Metal Gears.... (Applause.) And all nations should know: America will do what is necessary to ensure our nation's security. Yeah, remember McCarthy? We can be WORSE than that!!!!
We'll be deliberate, yet time is not on our side. I will not wait on events, while dangers gather. I will not stand by, as peril draws closer and closer. The United States of America will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world's most destructive weapons. (Applause.) So a thousand terrorists from Afghanistan are broadened to include some other countries you want to beat up and we are expected to accept this glib generalization? Hah! Won't work on us 'intellegent peeple, Georgie Jr.
Our war on terror is well begun, but it is only begun. and so it has begin, yet it will begun, beginning with the part that in which it shall begin, so shall that be the beginning. This campaign may not be finished on our watch -- yet it must be and it will be waged on our watch. You have one of those cool watches with a game on it? And that is how you control all those troops in afghanistan? That is so Dick Tracy... I wish my president were Dick Tracy...
We can't stop short. If we stop now -- leaving terror camps intact and terror states unchecked -- our sense of security would be false and temporary. Violentus interruptus? History has called America and our allies to action, and it is both our responsibility and our privilege to fight freedom's fight. cue theme music : G.I. Joe, a real american hero.... TO FIGHT FOR FREEDOM IS NOT TO BE FREE, since YOU BECOME A SLAVE TO FIGHTING!!!!!!!!!! (Applause.)
Our first priority must always be the security of our nation, and that will be reflected in the budget I send to Congress. My budget supports three great goals for America: We will win this war; we'll protect our homeland; and we will revive our economy. One word : Reaganomics
September the 11th brought out the best in America, yeah, the best news coverage of the biggest scam ever waged on Earth... and the best in this Congress. I am only saying that because now everyone likes me And I join the American people in applauding your unity and resolve. Ooh, more sentences with "choice words" in them... (Applause.) Now Americans deserve to have this same spirit directed toward addressing problems here at home. I'm a proud member of my party which is not Republican like you may think, but the one that supercedes all that - THE SKULL AND BONES -- yet as we act to win the war, protect our people, and create jobs in America, we must act, first and foremost, not as Republicans, not as Democrats, but as Americans. and please define how an american is supposed to act? Are they supposed to go out and slaughter Native Americans to build shopping malls? Are they supposed to split into two and fight themselves in a Civil War? Are they supposed to become little puppets on a string dancing to you pied piper tune? (Applause.)
It costs a lot to fight this war. We have spent more than a billion dollars a month -- over $30 million a day -- and we must be prepared for future operations. Afghanistan proved that expensive precision weapons defeat the enemy and spare innocent lives, and we need more of them. We need to replace aging aircraft and make our military more agile, to put our troops anywhere in the world quickly and safely. Our men and women in uniform deserve the best weapons, the best equipment, the best training -- and they also deserve another pay raise. Another? Why not raise your own pay while you're at it, too... how are we going to raise pay and lower taxes? Fuckhead. (Applause.)
My budget includes the largest increase in defense spending in two decades -- because while the price of freedom and security is high, it is never too high. Whatever it costs to defend our country, we will pay. HOw about a little peace. Peace is FREE, and, uh - so should freedom be. If you have to pay to be free, then it ain't freedom, is it? (Applause.)
The next priority of my budget is to do everything possible to protect our citizens and strengthen our nation against the ongoing threat of another attack. Time and distance from the events of September the 11th will not make us safer unless we act on its lessons. America is no longer protected by vast oceans. We are protected from attack only by vigorous action abroad, and increased vigilance at home. The Big Brother is a good plan sell. Hmmm. Yes, maybe I should have a chip implanted in my hand, that will make me safe...
My budget nearly doubles funding for a sustained strategy of homeland security, focused on four key areas: bioterrorism, emergency response, airport and border security, and improved intelligence. We will develop vaccines to fight anthrax and other deadly diseases In which we will put nanomachines that will help us track you all... . We'll increase funding to help states and communities train and equip our heroic police and firefighters to better beat the shit out of our own citizens when they try to show up at WTO gatherings. . (Applause.) We will improve intelligence collection and sharing, expand patrols at our borders, strengthen the security of air travel, and use technology to track the arrivals and departures of visitors to the United States. What, give them a VISA credit card....? (Applause.)
Homeland security will make America not only stronger to which I say this - a reed that does not bend when the wind blows will snap. so too shall america with its stupid policy. this spending is stupid, this war is unneccesary, and you are going to suffer in the future for what Bush and the rest of his reptile-kin have decided to do , but, in many ways, better. Knowledge gained from bioterrorism research will improve public health. But no health care plans for you to pay for them, ha ha ! Stronger police and fire departments will mean safer neighborhoods. at least safe for the police, ha ha! Stricter border enforcement will help combat illegal drugs. I saw a frown on his face in this part of the speech that seemed to me to say, "awwww darn". (Applause.) And as government works to better secure our homeland, America will continue to depend on the eyes and ears of alert citizens. America needs tattletales and snoops! apply at you local FBI or CIA office!
A few days before Christmas, an airline flight attendant spotted a passenger lighting a match. The crew and passengers quickly subdued the man, who had been trained by al Qaeda and was armed with explosives. The people on that plane were alert and, as a result, likely saved nearly 200 lives. And tonight we welcome and thank flight attendants Hermis Moutardier and Christina Jones. (Applause.) And what was he doing here? why were most of the people from your so called al Qaeda doing here, with bombs in their shoe? Were they listening to Wyclef Jean to get their ideas? "What would double-0 7 do? I pulled a bomb from my shoe..." and not forgetting Wyclef's now spooky "Someone please call 911..." Al Qaeda listens to wyclef? Or it is someone domestic...
Once we have funded our national security and our homeland security, the final great priority of my budget is economic security for the American people. (Applause.) To achieve these great national objectives -- to win the war, protect the homeland, and revitalize our economy -- our budget will run a deficit that will be small and short-term, so long as Congress restrains spending and acts in a fiscally responsible manner. (Applause.) We have clear priorities and we must act at home with the same purpose and resolve we have shown overseas: We'll prevail in the war, and we will defeat this recession. (Applause.) Rather than admit my plans were wrong, I will continue killing the economy by killing afghans.
Americans who have lost their jobs need our help and I support extending unemployment benefits and direct assistance for health care coverage. OK, dickhead, I have no job, I lost it, where do i sign up, huh? (Applause.) Yet, American workers want more than unemployment checks -- they want a steady paycheck. Yeah, we like to kill ourself slowly to contribute our taxes to your killing of foriegn people arbitrarily under your false rule. A paycheck is the least of our worries. (Applause.) When America works, America prospers, so my economic security plan can be summed up in one word: jobs. (Applause.) one word retort = enron.
Good jobs begin with good schools, because good jobs lead to good prisons... it's all the same concept... and here we've made a fine start. (Applause.) Republicans and Democrats worked together to achieve historic education reform so that no child is left behind. why not teach people how to use their minds rather than trying to stuff line after line of rote material down their throat. Oh wait, you're preparing them for the "workplace", i see. Right, what you want are robots who work at whatever pace you say, just like your military Robots... heh. I was proud to work with members of both parties: Chairman John Boehner huh huh , BONER , heh heh and Congressman George Miller. (Applause.) Senator Judd Gregg. (Applause.) And I was so proud of our work, I even had nice things to say about my friend, Ted Kennedy. (Laughter and applause.) I know the folks at the Crawford coffee shop couldn't believe I'd say such a thing -- (laughter) -- but our work on this bill shows what is possible if we set aside posturing and focus on results. (Applause.)
There is more to do. We need to prepare our children to read and succeed in school with improved Head Start and early childhood development programs. Yawn, please. (Applause.) We must upgrade our teacher colleges and teacher training and launch a major recruiting drive with a great goal for America: a quality teacher in every classroom Or double your money back... er, oops wait, we spent that 'double' part on guns to kill people with... ok, well I say we give the kids guns then... (Applause.)
Good jobs also depend on reliable and affordable energy. This Congress must act to encourage conservation, promote technology, build infrastructure, and it must act to increase energy production at home so America is less dependent on foreign oil. (Applause.)
Good jobs depend on expanded trade. Selling into new markets creates new jobs, so I ask Congress to finally approve trade promotion authority. (Applause.) On these two key issues, trade and energy, the House of Representatives has acted to create jobs, and I urge the Senate to pass this legislation. (Applause.)
Good jobs depend on sound tax policy. (Applause.) Last year, some in this hall thought my tax relief plan was too small; some thought it was too big. (Applause.) But when the checks arrived in the mail, most Americans thought tax relief was just about right. (Applause.) Congress listened to the people and responded by reducing tax rates, doubling the child credit, and ending the death tax. For the sake of long-term growth and to help Americans plan for the future, let's make these tax cuts permanent. (Applause.)
The way out of this recession, the way to create jobs, is to grow the economy by encouraging investment in factories and equipment, and by speeding up tax relief so people have more money to spend. For the sake of American workers, let's pass a stimulus package. (Applause.)
Good jobs must be the aim of welfare reform. As we reauthorize these important reforms, we must always remember the goal is to reduce dependency on government and offer every American the dignity of a job. (Applause.)
Americans know economic security can vanish in an instant without health security. I ask Congress to join me this year to enact a patients' bill of rights -- (applause) -- to give uninsured workers credits to help buy health coverage -- (applause) -- to approve an historic increase in the spending for veterans' health -- (applause) -- and to give seniors a sound and modern Medicare system that includes coverage for prescription drugs. (Applause.)
A good job should lead to security in retirement. I ask Congress to enact new safeguards for 401K and pension plans. (Applause.) Employees who have worked hard and saved all their lives should not have to risk losing everything if their company fails. (Applause.) Through stricter accounting standards and tougher disclosure requirements, corporate America must be made more accountable to employees and shareholders and held to the highest standards of conduct. (Applause.)
Retirement security also depends upon keeping the commitments of Social Security, and we will. We must make Social Security financially stable and allow personal retirement accounts for younger workers who choose them. (Applause.)
Members, you and I will work together in the months ahead on other issues: productive farm policy -- (applause) -- a cleaner environment -- (applause) -- broader home ownership, especially among minorities -- (applause) -- and ways to encourage the good work of charities and faith-based groups. (Applause.) I ask you to join me on these important domestic issues in the same spirit of cooperation we've applied to our war against terrorism. (Applause.)
During these last few months, I've been humbled and privileged to see the true character of this country in a time of testing. Our enemies believed America was weak and materialistic, that we would splinter in fear and selfishness. They were as wrong as they are evil. (Applause.)
The American people have responded magnificently, with courage and compassion, strength and resolve. As I have met the heroes, hugged the families, and looked into the tired faces of rescuers, I have stood in awe of the American people.
And I hope you will join me -- I hope you will join me in expressing thanks to one American for the strength and calm and comfort she brings to our nation in crisis, our First Lady, Laura Bush. (Applause.)
None of us would ever wish the evil that was done on September the 11th. Yet after America was attacked, it was as if our entire country looked into a mirror and saw our better selves. We were reminded that we are citizens, with obligations to each other, to our country, and to history. We began to think less of the goods we can accumulate, and more about the good we can do.
For too long our culture has said, "If it feels good, do it." Now America is embracing a new ethic and a new creed: "Let's roll." (Applause.) In the sacrifice of soldiers, the fierce brotherhood of firefighters, and the bravery and generosity of ordinary citizens, we have glimpsed what a new culture of responsibility could look like. We want to be a nation that serves goals larger than self. We've been offered a unique opportunity, and we must not let this moment pass. (Applause.)
My call tonight is for every American to commit at least two years -- 4,000 hours over the rest of your lifetime -- to the service of your neighbors and your nation. (Applause.) Many are already serving, and I thank you. If you aren't sure how to help, I've got a good place to start. To sustain and extend the best that has emerged in America, I invite you to join the new USA Freedom Corps. The Freedom Corps will focus on three areas of need: responding in case of crisis at home; rebuilding our communities; and extending American compassion throughout the world.
One purpose of the USA Freedom Corps will be homeland security. America needs retired doctors and nurses who can be mobilized in major emergencies; volunteers to help police and fire departments; transportation and utility workers well-trained in spotting danger.
Our country also needs citizens working to rebuild our communities. We need mentors to love children, especially children whose parents are in prison. And we need more talented teachers in troubled schools. USA Freedom Corps will expand and improve the good efforts of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps to recruit more than 200,000 new volunteers.
And America needs citizens to extend the compassion of our country to every part of the world. So we will renew the promise of the Peace Corps, double its volunteers over the next five years -- (applause) -- and ask it to join a new effort to encourage development and education and opportunity in the Islamic world. (Applause.)
This time of adversity offers a unique moment of opportunity -- a moment we must seize to change our culture. Through the gathering momentum of millions of acts of service and decency and kindness, I know we can overcome evil with greater good. (Applause.) And we have a great opportunity during this time of war to lead the world toward the values that will bring lasting peace.
All fathers and mothers, in all societies, want their children to be educated, and live free from poverty and violence. No people on Earth yearn to be oppressed, or aspire to servitude, or eagerly await the midnight knock of the secret police.
If anyone doubts this, let them look to Afghanistan, where the Islamic "street" greeted the fall of tyranny with song and celebration. Let the skeptics look to Islam's own rich history, with its centuries of learning, and tolerance and progress. America will lead by defending liberty and justice because they are right and true and unchanging for all people everywhere. (Applause.)
No nation owns these aspirations, and no nation is exempt from them. We have no intention of imposing our culture. But America will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity: the rule of law; limits on the power of the state; respect for women; private property; free speech; equal justice; and religious tolerance. (Applause.)
America will take the side of brave men and women who advocate these values around the world, including the Islamic world, because we have a greater objective than eliminating threats and containing resentment. We seek a just and peaceful world beyond the war on terror.
In this moment of opportunity, a common danger is erasing old rivalries. America is working with Russia and China and India, in ways we have never before, to achieve peace and prosperity. In every region, free markets and free trade and free societies are proving their power to lift lives. Together with friends and allies from Europe to Asia, and Africa to Latin America, we will demonstrate that the forces of terror cannot stop the momentum of freedom. (Applause.)
The last time I spoke here, I expressed the hope that life would return to normal. In some ways, it has. In others, it never will. Those of us who have lived through these challenging times have been changed by them. We've come to know truths that we will never question: evil is real, and it must be opposed. (Applause.) Beyond all differences of race or creed, we are one country, mourning together and facing danger together. Deep in the American character, there is honor, and it is stronger than cynicism. And many have discovered again that even in tragedy -- especially in tragedy -- God is near. (Applause.)
In a single instant, we realized that this will be a decisive decade in the history of liberty, that we've been called to a unique role in human events. Rarely has the world faced a choice more clear or consequential.
Our enemies send other people's children on missions of suicide and murder. They embrace tyranny and death as a cause and a creed. We stand for a different choice, made long ago, on the day of our founding. We affirm it again today. We choose freedom and the dignity of every life. (Applause.)
Steadfast in our purpose, we now press on. We have known freedom's price. We have shown freedom's power. And in this great conflict, my fellow Americans, we will see freedom's victory.
Thank you all. May God bless. (Applause.)
END 10:03 P.M. EST