The Bush Era: It Is Called American Leadership

The Presidential election of 2004 is more than a year away, but to hear from the three big-dog Democrats and the nine dwarfs who are running for President, you would think it is going to be held tomorrow for, I ask you: when have you ever heard such vitriolic attacks against a President as you are now hearing against George W. Bush. We hear a constant barrage of bitter criticism from Democratic spokesmen Kennedy, Clinton and Gore (sounds like a New York law firm, doesn't it?) and the nine leaders of that party who would like to run for president. They obviously feel they must tear him down, one way or another, for George W. Bush is providing leadership, not only for the United States but also for the world. They don't know how to handle a leader, except to destroy him.

When this nation was hit by 9-11 two years ago, President Bush ... fairly new to the office ... told the world we must defeat the evil of terrorism or else expect many repeats of 9-11. He identified rogue nations and named names. He pointed out that other nations were either for us or against us. He said if the world is to have peace, all of us must root terrorism out wherever it is found. He said: "let's roll."

Around the world, leaders of friendly and unfriendly nations said the United States did not have the resolve to lead; that we would get tired and drop out. Here at home Bush took criticism from the usual appeasers. The liberals were critical when he went into Afghanistan, but we went, and though there is still unrest in that land, it is no longer the undeterred headquarters of the Taliban and Al-Quida. America laid out its case for making the "Butcher of Baghdad" carry out his agreements with the United Nations, and we used our power there ... to the horror of American appeasers, and some in parts of
Europe, like the French. And we know what has happened in Iraq, and we know what will happen ... that is going to become a free, democratic nation.

The important thing in all this is that an American leader has spoken, and for once the world believes him. America has been thrust into a position where it can lead the world to peace and progress. We have the power to do that. All it takes is leadership, and now it appears we have a leader.

This is Gordon Sawyer, from a window on historic Green Street.