Bush is Iraq for Thanksgiving dinner

[sfc_darrel]

A text of President Bush's remarks Thursday to U.S. troops in Baghdad, as provided by the White House:

Thank you. I was just looking for a warm meal somewhere. Thank you for inviting me to dinner. General Sanchez, thank you, sir, for your kind invitation and your strong leadership. Ambassador Bremer, thank you for your steadfast belief in freedom and peace. I want to thank the members of the Governing Council who are here, pleased you are joining us on our nation's great holiday, it's a chance to give thanks to the Almighty for the many blessings we receive.

I'm particularly proud to be with the 1st Armored Division, the 2nd ACR, the 82nd Airborne. I can't think of a finer group of folks to have Thanksgiving dinner with than you all. We're proud of you. Today, Americans are gathering with their loved ones to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. And this year we are especially thankful for the courage and the sacrifice of those who defend us, the men and women of the United States military.

I bring a message on behalf of America: We thank you for your service, we're proud of you, and America stands solidly behind you. Together, you and I have taken an oath to defend our country. You're honoring that oath. The United States military is doing a fantastic job. You are defeating the terrorists here in Iraq, so that we don't have to face them in our own country. You're defeating Saddam's henchmen, so that the people of Iraq can live in peace and freedom.

By helping the Iraqi people become free, you're helping change a troubled and violent part of the world. By helping to build a peaceful and democratic country in the heart of the Middle East, you are defending the American people from danger and we are grateful.

You're engaged in a difficult mission. Those who attack our coalition forces and kill innocent Iraqis are testing our will. They hope we will run. We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of Iraq, pay a bitter cost in casualties, defeat a brutal dictator and liberate 25 million people only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins.

We will prevail. We will win because our cause is just. We will win because we will stay on the offensive. And we will win because you're part of the finest military ever assembled. And we will prevail because the Iraqis want their freedom.

Every day you see firsthand the commitment to sacrifice that the Iraqi people are making to secure their own freedom. I have a message for the Iraqi people: You have an opportunity to seize the moment and rebuild your great country, based on human dignity and freedom. The regime of Saddam Hussein is gone forever.

The United States and our coalition will help you, help you build a peaceful country so that your children can have a bright future. We'll help you find and bring to justice the people who terrorized you for years and are still killing innocent Iraqis. We will stay until the job is done. I'm confident we will succeed, because you, the Iraqi people, will show the world that you're not only courageous, but that you can govern yourself wisely and justly.

On this Thanksgiving, our nation remembers the men and women of our military, your friends and comrades who paid the ultimate price for our security and freedom. We ask for God's blessings on their families, their loved ones and their friends, and we pray for your safety and your strength, as you continue to defend America and to spread freedom.

Each one of you has answered a great call, participating in an historic moment in world history. You live by a code of honor, of service to your nation, with the safety and the security of your fellow citizens. Our military is full of the finest people on the face of the earth. I'm proud to be your commander in chief. I bring greetings from America. May God bless you all.

[39mto39g]

And said to the pilot. hay Bob, Lets scoop the loop, Just out for a Thursday cruse.
Democrats didn't like him landing on a Carrier, This should kill them. What a Moral booster.
Ron

[SuperScout]

When I first saw the banner headlines on Fox News.com, I could hardly believe it! I just bet his Secret Service people had the ol' pucker factor up about 9.8, out of a possible 10! Hooray for the Prez!

[blues clues]

BIG deal Johnson went to Viet Nam, Eisenhower went to Korea both before an election, It's about time he went to see what was going on, and you're right that old pucker factor had to be right up there at the hightest. like I've said in the past I still don't like him maybe this made him feel like a real MOCHO MAN.
razz

[melody1181]

Its a good thing he did but to bad he won't go to the funerals of those who die there.........

[sfc_darrel]

Since you insist on making this a political discussion...

Nixon, not LBJ, went to Vietnam and Bush went to a funeral in Colorado of a soldier who died fighting in Iraq.

[melody1181]

I just think he should make the effort to go to as many as he could and can, How many have died there? And just 1 or a few funerals?

I don't think it was him that even really made that decision, its prob his advisors.

[frisco-kid]

what you want from this guy. I mean, he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. And I'm a DEM. I don't agree with alot [most] of his foriegn, domestic, or social policies; believe that he has a questionable military record at best; but I have to back him on any positive effect he has on our men and women in harm's way as their Commander-In-Chief. This surprise visit to them seems to have had a positive effect on their morale, so how can you be against that as an American? Grand standing? Maybe [probably], but it's been done by Presidents since the days of Lincoln and beyond. If he had stayed at his ranch in TX with his family, like other Americans on Thanksgiving, there'd be people condemning him for that, too. The guy can't win. Why does this have to be reduced to a REPUB or DEM issue? Why can't it be accepted as something good for the troops without speculating on the motives that MAY have brought it about? Jaysus, I get tired of this petty sniping from both sides. Aren't there enough BIG issues on the table to occupy each side? JAYSUS!!

[Keith_Hixson]

Tom,

Ditto, both sides get a little petty. I'm a moderate Republican and there are areas I think Bush could improve and there are areas I feel he is doing okay. But boy they sure do get petty and emotional over things that don't mount to a hill of beans.

Keith

[reeb]

NOONE AND I MEAN NOONE;

Not Ike. LBJ, Nixon, Bush, will EVER do as much as the greatest, Famous Man to visits the Troops,

and you know who::::

Mr. Bob Hope and his USO trips.

The Presidents could and should stay right here and have a speech aired to the troops, and then go on with his daily and important agenda, vice taking all these unexpected trips ( that we pay for ).

I guess that makes me an " Independant "

enough................