Bush vows more pre-emptive attacks against more enemies
by Patricia Wilson, Reuters
July 2, 2003
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (Reuters) — President Bush said on Friday the United States is still at war and vowed to attack any "terrorist group or outlaw regime" that threatens the United States with mass murder.
Bush's tough message came as he marked the July 4 Independence Day holiday with a flag-waving speech before 25,000 or so military personnel and families at a base where Orville and Wilbur Wright's invention of the first flying machine 100 years ago is being celebrated.
"The United States will not stand by and wait for another attack or trust in the restraint and good intentions of evil men," Bush said on a sun-scorched day in the U.S. heartland.
"We are on the offensive against terrorists and all who support them. We will not permit any terrorist group or outlaw regime to threaten us with weapons of mass murder. We will act, whenever it is necessary, to protect the lives and the liberty of the American people," he said.
A giant American flag provided the backdrop for Bush on a makeshift stage set up on a base airfield. It was flanked by bomber, fighter and attack aircraft including a B-1 bomber and a Stealth F-117 fighter.
DAILY ATTACKS
Bush did not refer directly to the situation in Iraq or the daily attacks on U.S. forces struggling to bring stability there after the ouster of Saddam Hussein and the fall of Baghdad.
Hostile fire has killed 26 American soldiers in Iraq since Bush declared major combat over on May 1. Washington has accused Saddam loyalists of launching the attacks.
A USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll this week found that the share of Americans who said things were going well for U.S. forces in Iraq had dropped to 56 percent from 70 percent a month ago.
Bush spoke more in general about the war on terrorism, which has produced military missions in Afghanistan, the Philippines and Georgia in addition to Iraq.
"Our nation is still at war. The enemies of America plot against us. And many of our fellow citizens are still serving and sacrificing and facing danger in distant places," Bush said.
Bush appeared to be trying to maintain American support for the far-flung military missions around the world.
"Without America's active involvement in the world, the ambitions of tyrants would go unopposed, and millions would live at mercy of terrorists. With Americans' active involvement in the world, tyrants learn to fear, and terrorists are on the run," he said.
FLYING MACHINE
It was in a bicycle shop in nearby Dayton, Ohio, that the Wright brothers built the aircraft they would fly on the North Carolina coast in 1903.
"I wonder what Wilbur and Orville would have thought if they'd have seen that flying machine I came in on today," Bush chuckled, referring to the giant Air Force One 747 that carried him to Ohio.
After his visit, Bush was returning to Washington. First lady Laura Bush has planned a party for the president's 57th birthday on Sunday.
Guests were to watch Washington's July 4 fireworks show from the White House's Truman Balcony.
in·san·i·ty n. 1 a : a deranged state of the mind usually occurring as a specific disorder (as schizophrenia) and usually excluding such states as mental retardation, psychoneurosis, and various character disorders
b : a mental disorder
2 : such unsoundness of mind or lack of understanding as prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or as removes one from criminal or civil responsibility
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