TheAgitator.com
A Fine Farewell
Saturday, December 7th, 2002Dick Armey’s farewell address to the National Press Club, courtesy of Drudge:
“America has always been a marvelous nation. I always say it. We have always loved freedom so much that we have been willing to sacrifice our peace to defend the freedoms of others. No other nation ever did that.“And in doing so historically, we have always had the luxury of sitting safely here at home in America and sending our heroes abroad to fight for freedom.
“But today we face an insidious threat that comes right into our neighborhood. We live with it every day, this threat of terrorism. Our need, our anxiety about personal security is at a level that we’ve never seen before in America, and for the first time in America we call upon ourselves, each and every single one of us, to be a hero for freedom right here at home where I live, in my community.
“And so the courage of America is being called upon more than at any time in my lifetime. And what I fear I hear is an echo chamber of voices in America that are saying, “Give us greater dominion over your personal liberties and we will make you secure.”
“Now, I can tell you, ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be safe if we have a cop on every corner. We will be safe if we have a spy camera in every hall. We’ll at least be safer. We will be safer if we have an elaborate system by which we, in the ordinary business of life, spy on one another and report it to the proper authorities. We will probably be safer if we have a national identification card. We may be safer, in fact, if we could snoop on the Internet and read everybody’s e-mail.
“There are many authorities that we can extend to the government of this country that’ll make us safer. But will we be free?
“We seek a balance on this. We worked hard on that with the PATRIOT Act. We worked hard on that with homeland security. And I think in terms of the law that has been written, we’ve cut a fine line that respects our freedom in the interest of our safety.
“But our freedom will only last through the implementation of these laws. And once again we are restored to that oldest adage: The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
“We, the people, had better keep an eye on we, the people; that is, our government. Not out of contempt or lack of appreciation or disrespect, but out of a sense of guardianship. How do you use these tools we have given you to make us safe in such a manner that’ll preserve our freedom?
“That is a duty to our very essence as a nation. Who we are, what is it about us that has set us apart in the history of the world is our love for freedom.
“As I said earlier, freedom is no policy for the timid. And my plaintive plea to all my colleagues that remain in this government as I leave it is, for your sake, for my sake, for heaven’s sake, don’t give up on freedom. “
If only Armey had been so passionate a defender of freedom throughout his House tenure as he’s been in the last few months.
This was a nice speech, but I think Armey’s conceding too much when asserts that any of the so-called security measures he mentions will actually make us safer. I’d submit that most of them will make lots of people feel better, but won’t really make things safer.
Seems that Benjamin Franklin stays relevant, more than 200 years after he died:
“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Who needs a quitter?
What happen to the John Kennedy philosophy that said “ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country”. Quiting is only the act of a loser and a very selfish individual.
It doesn’t matter what we think or feel as Americans in this time of war. Nothing we say or do can really influence the world to stop fighting. Now we have sons,daughters,mothers,fathers,brothers, sisters,and friends fighting a treacherous war. We need to comend them for their courage, and support them indefinately, whether we believe in this war or not. We MUST believe in our people;without our support and prayers they can feel mighty lost over there. Let us remember they are there fighting for US…..
Hey! My name is Amanda. I’m from the USA in West Virginia. I’m 16 years old and I see everything that goes on in the news. I have a lot of friends and family over there and I support them. I support President Bush and Everyone in America. I say we do what we got to and live life from there. Thank you amanda abernathy
You”ve never seen so many wars as we”ve seen.Stop it!
YES,I AGREE WITH MOST AMERICANS . WE SHOULD ONLY BE THINKING OF OUR GOD GIVEN MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR ARMED FORCES AT THIS TIME. WE ARE NOT IN THE DRAFT DAYS SO,WE REALLY NEED TO PRAISE ALL SERVICE PEOPLE INVOLVED TO TAKE A STAND OF SERVING OUR COUNTRY AT WILL.
WE ALL SHOULD BE PRAYING CONSTANTLY THAT THIS WILL END QUICKLY SO MORE HARM WILL COME TO OUR COUTRYMEN. I ALSO FEEL THAT THE IRAQI PEOPLE SHOULD START TAKING A STAND FOR THEIR CONVICTIONS AFTER ALL THIS IS FOR THEM. WE CANNOT PUT A PRICE TAG ON FREEDOM. AFTER ALL IF OUR DECENDENTS WOULDNT OF TAKEN A STAND FOR FREEDOM, WE WOULDNT BE ENJOYING WHAT WE HAVE TODAY.SO WE ALL SHOULD WANT TO STAND UNITED TRUSTING IN GOD,OUR MEN AND WOMEN AND OUR GOVERNMENT. HATS OFF TO CNN FOR THEIR GREAT COVERAGE OF COURAGE IN THE LINE OF FIRE TO KEEP US INFORMED. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
I feel that this is an illegal war. The only reason Bush is so eager to take over Iraq is so he,and his cronies, can start a global bank,oil, and rule. I wish that we could have peace without greed.
This war is not about oil. Wake up.
I was cut off as I spoke my veiws on this subject. I did not use any profanity or accuse anybody of wrongdoing. If this how this web is going to work then you will all be mislead by the truth. SORRY TO ALL OF YOU.
I hope that the returning veterans will not be permanently impoverished by the Left as they were after the last two wars.
President Bush is excersising bold and wise action to insure that, not only the U.S., but the rest of the world will not be victimized by Weapons of Mass Destruction. Clearly, we need to stop Saddam and other groups NOW, not later, when the opposition will be in a better position to cause us irreparable harm.
I hope that the returning veterans will not be permanently impoverished by the Left as they were after the last two wars.
President Bush is exercising bold and wise action to insure that, not only the U.S., but the rest of the world will not be victimized by Weapons of Mass Destruction. Clearly, we need to stop Saddam and other groups NOW, not later, when the opposition will be in a better position to cause us irreparable harm.
Dick who?
I think it’s time for each of us to think about how we define freedom instead of just using the word as another patriotic buzz word that makes us fell proud and rightous. Take a look at the history of the United States in South and Central American. Our government sure felt free to buy and sell those governments, wars, and revolutions. ..They are right when they tell us to keep our flags home.
PS Have you checked out our weapons of mass destruction?
With almost three hundred thousand Soldiers stationed in Kuwait and fighting a War in Iraq, who is taking care of the Home Front and our Borders?
Do I see another ‘Draft’ on the Horizon?
Having been caught selling weapons to Iraq, Syria and Iran are ’shaking’ in their boots,I am sure, after Bush threatened them. Do I see war with those two countries on the Horizon?
Hey, if I were the President I would settle all those old and some new, scores. Why not? We are over there already.
Now, my questions is; Why are we in Iraq again? Because they have weapons of mass destruction, used them once,threatened to use them again, kill their own people and have a Dictator as President?
OKAY..lets declare war on every country that has human rights violations, has nuclear weapons, has threatened once or twice to use them against their own people or neighboring countries.
Finally we, these U.S. will have have done it…We will have placed World War III in the History books…
PS. I will have to start buying stocks in companies that members of the Pentagon committee work or lobby for.
I love this country, what it stands for, what it does for it’s people, it’s laws, it’s diversity, but wonder about the people we vote for to run this beautiful place we call home….
Back to Basics: Bush, our unelected president and our symbol of stupidity, is still only a C-minus Yale fratboy without brains or moral conscience. Meanwhile, Cheney, our symbol of secresy, has achieved his objective–Halliburton has already received a contract to rebuild Iraq. And Rummy, that symbol of arrogance has had the joy of pretending he’s a general. Meanwhile, Poppy is so proud of his idiot son he can hardly speak.
Can’t we all get along & understand we’re taking out a regime of hatred & evilness. Should America wait until some terroist group gets a hold of these WMD. I do not like the fact that innocent children & civilians are being affected by this war ! But how else do you deal with such a crisis in the middle east. How many people protested around the globe when Saddam executed thousands of Kirds in the late 90’s.Why is so much anger directed towards the U.S goverment, & not this INSANE man that will soon be memory in our U.S history lectures.
I’m 1st generation American. My grandfather left Norway after WWII to give my family a better life. War stinks but just like anything else in life worthwhile you have to work at it. What would have happened to the many people around the world if we didn’t stick up to the bullies…I’m for the underdog…the men, women, & children that suffer under a piece of garbage like the ruler of Iraq. If President Bush and his regime is so horrible, grab the next flight out of here and see how you like Sadam’s methods…
I would be so very proud to give my best so that someone else could learn how to strive for better. I do believe most of the people in the White house served their country…have you?
I’m 1st generation American. My grandfather left Norway after WWII to give my family a better life. War stinks but just like anything else in life worthwhile you have to work at it. What would have happened to the many people around the world if we didn’t stick up to the bullies…I’m for the underdog…the men, women, & children that suffer under a piece of garbage like the ruler of Iraq. If President Bush and his regime is so horrible, grab the next flight out of here and see how you like Sadam’s methods…
I would be so very proud to give my best so that someone else could learn how to strive for better. I do believe most of the people in the White house served their country…have you?
I find myself pondering relentlessly as to the “right” and “wrong” in all of this. The truth is no one knows the answer . We all enjoy being free, we all love our families ,and we all take for granted what we encounter everyday , never truly apprechiating life as a whole until it is tested and questioned. We all need to have faith not just in a government , not just in a nation , not even in a single soul but in humanity , and I think that is what really frightens us.
gag me with a spoon!!!!!
gag me with a spoon!!!!!
gag me with a spoon!!!!!
live free or die ,i fought for this country .if you don,t like it go live over there.
It’s a matter of basic morality: The End does not justify the Means. It is not ok to attack a sovereign nation and that has not attacked us, and kill their men, women and children, just because we THINK or are TOLD by the likes of Bush and the CIA that they are GOING to do us harm some time in the future. This is shameful and will INCREASE terrorism in the world, not prevent or cure it.
I like the coverage. I like the freedom of speech. However, the job at hand is winning that war and getting our men and women back here in one piece. Lets get behind them now and argue about the other stuff later. Freedom they fight for allows it.
I like to know,how much further this is going to go?Can anybody explain to me,where we are going with this non since operation?I am a little Person,meaning explain this whole thing to me in plain English!People get killed for no reason what so ever!President Busch,while you sit there in some fancy Dinning Room having Dinner ,what do you think I like to know!You know what you should focus on is,how to have Health Insurance for your
owen People in America.I am shure you have yours!Next time you get sick,think about the million People in your Country
whom need help and cant get it!!!!!!
I live in PA for 13 years and let me tell you,this is a Wellfare place,but you wouldnt know!!!!!!1Do something about Healthcare and I will have some respect ,other then that you dont mean anything to me!I am from Germany live here in Pa,have a Son=inlaw whom just got back from the War,he just meet his new born Babygirl!How would you feel if the shoe was on the other foot,you wouldnt know,wouldt you? Anyway I hope you do something for your Country!
Hope to get a Response!Thank you Sonja Tompkins
=
You can also check the sites dedicated to texas holdem texas holdem http://www.poker-24×7.net/texas-holdem.html http://www.poker-24×7.net/texas-holdem.html online poker online poker http://www.poker-24×7.net/online-poker.html http://www.poker-24×7.net/online-poker.html poker games poker games http://www.poker-24×7.net/poker-games.html http://www.poker-24×7.net/poker-games.html texas hold em texas hold em http://www.poker-24×7.net/texas-hold-em.html http://www.poker-24×7.net/texas-hold-em.html empire poker empire poker http://www.poker-24×7.net/empire-poker.html http://www.poker-24×7.net/empire-poker.html .
You can also take a look at some relevant information about free credit report free credit report http://www.available-credit.com/free-credit-report.html http://www.available-credit.com/free-credit-report.html mortgage loans mortgage loans http://www.available-credit.com/mortgage-loans.html http://www.available-credit.com/mortgage-loans.html cash money cash money http://www.available-credit.com/cash-money.html http://www.available-credit.com/cash-money.html business loans business loans http://www.available-credit.com/business-loans.html http://www.available-credit.com/business-loans.html debt help debt help http://www.available-credit.com/debt-help.html http://www.available-credit.com/debt-help.html credit card credit card http://www.available-credit.com/credit-card.html http://www.available-credit.com/credit-card.html countrywide mortgage countrywide mortgage http://www.available-credit.com/countrywide-mortgage.html http://www.available-credit.com/countrywide-mortgage.html cash advance cash advance http://www.available-credit.com/cash-advance.html http://www.available-credit.com/cash-advance.html pay day loans pay day loans http://www.available-credit.com/pay-day-loans.html http://www.available-credit.com/pay-day-loans.html online payday loans online payday loans http://www.available-credit.com/online-payday-loans.html http://www.available-credit.com/online-payday-loans.html loan calculator loan calculator http://www.available-credit.com/loan-calculator.html http://www.available-credit.com/loan-calculator.html free credit reports free credit reports http://www.available-credit.com/free-credit-reports.html http://www.available-credit.com/free-credit-reports.html chase chase http://www.available-credit.com/chase.html http://www.available-credit.com/chase.html apply for a credit card apply for a credit card http://www.available-credit.com/apply-for-a-credit-card.html http://www.available-credit.com/apply-for-a-credit-card.html pay day loan pay day loan http://www.available-credit.com/pay-day-loan.html http://www.available-credit.com/pay-day-loan.html mortgage mortgage http://www.available-credit.com/mortgage.html http://www.available-credit.com/mortgage.html home equity loan home equity loan http://www.available-credit.com/home-equity-loan.html http://www.available-credit.com/home-equity-loan.html cash advance payday loans cash advance payday loans http://www.available-credit.com/cash-advance-payday-loans.html http://www.available-credit.com/cash-advance-payday-loans.html car loan calculator car loan calculator http://www.available-credit.com/car-loan-calculator.html http://www.available-credit.com/car-loan-calculator.html bad credit bad credit http://www.available-credit.com/bad-credit.html http://www.available-credit.com/bad-credit.html payday cash loan payday cash loan http://www.available-credit.com/payday-cash-loan.html http://www.available-credit.com/payday-cash-loan.html auto loan calculator auto loan calculator http://www.available-credit.com/auto-loan-calculator.html http://www.available-credit.com/auto-loan-calculator.html mortgages mortgages http://www.available-credit.com/mortgages.html http://www.available-credit.com/mortgages.html home loan home loan http://www.available-credit.com/home-loan.html http://www.available-credit.com/home-loan.html no fax payday loans no fax payday loans http://www.available-credit.com/no-fax-payday-loans.html http://www.available-credit.com/no-fax-payday-loans.html discover card discover card http://www.available-credit.com/discover-card.html http://www.available-credit.com/discover-card.html loan loan http://www.available-credit.com/loan.html http://www.available-credit.com/loan.html payday advance payday advance http://www.available-credit.com/payday-advance.html http://www.available-credit.com/payday-advance.html payday advance loan payday advance loan http://www.available-credit.com/payday-advance-loan.html http://www.available-credit.com/payday-advance-loan.html bad credit loans bad credit loans http://www.available-credit.com/bad-credit-loans.html http://www.available-credit.com/bad-credit-loans.html …
You can also check the pages about online casino online casino http://www.online-casino.blest-casino.com/ http://www.online-casino.blest-casino.com/ online casino online casino http://online-casino.blest-casino.com/ http://online-casino.blest-casino.com/ online casinos online casinos http://online-casinos.blest-casino.com/ http://online-casinos.blest-casino.com/ .
You can also take a look at some relevant pages in the field of odds pacific poker odds pacific poker http://www.2002sogwipo.com/pacific-poker-odds.html http://www.2002sogwipo.com/pacific-poker-odds.html …
famous transsexual good Have you ever seen brazil trannies only?
shemale girl cute Is sex call to shemale nude or big dick shemale nude and shemale picture tonya xxx better than free shemale password cool?
teenage transsexual free trannies pic hard
free adult shemale picture Fice big dick trannies xxx pictures.
buy viagra ViaT8898111-01-01-22