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The Cynics Are Wrong About Bush's Second Inaugural: His Rhetoric Likely Will Have Positive Consequences

by David Adesnik

The accusations of hypocrisy were inevitable. Journalists found themselves compelled to point out that the United States has drawn ever closer to Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as a result of the War on Terror. The president’s critics dismissed his inaugural address as a pleasant fiction designed to mask the hard core of an American foreign policy exemplified by the abuse of prisoners at Guantánamo and Abu Ghraib. Sadly, their analysis ended there.In order to understand

President Bush's Cynical Use of the Word Freedom

by Eric Foner

George W. Bush's second inaugural address cynically invoked noble ideals for ignoble ends. In the course of twenty minutes, Bush used the words "free," "freedom" and "liberty" no fewer than forty-nine times. Freedom lies at the heart of American political culture, and as groups from abolitionists to modern-day conservatives have realized, it gives legitimacy to political goals of all kinds. The historic rallying cry of the dispossessed, freedom can also be

Brian Lamb Interviews President Bush

On January 30, 2005 Brian Lamb interviewed President Bush on C-Span. Below are excerpts.LAMB: You were a history major. THE PRESIDENT: Yes, sir. LAMB: At Yale. THE PRESIDENT: I was. LAMB: What kind of history? THE PRESIDENT: American history. LAMB: Did you have a particular period in American history that you --

If We Are Serious About Supporting the Troops, Shouldn't We End the Backdoor Draft?

by Ron Briley

On Sunday afternoons, I often attempt to retreat from the political issues of the day by viewing a National Football League game. But it seems impossible to escape the war in Iraq. The announcers, whose political insights are somewhat limited, find it necessary to remind us about supporting the troops. Wearing American flag emblems on their lapels, they insist upon commending the soldiers for the effort which makes it safe for the rest of us to lounge in our armchairs and watch sporting event

Strange, But Bush Really Does Sound a Lot Like Woodrow Wilson

by Ron Briley

In his second inaugural address President Bush emphasized the themes of freedom and liberty. Although he failed to mention Iraq by name, its presence was looming throughout the address. For the Iraqi elections seem to have replaced any considerations regarding weapons of mass destruction in the administration’s case for war. In emphasizing freedom and liberty, Bush selected the themes used by Democratic President Woodrow Wilson from 1912-1920. Wilson, like Bush, advocated a mora

Should President Bush Have Mentioned Iraq?

by Rick Shenkman

President Bush did not mention Iraq during his inaugural address, which some have criticized. Do presidents usually allude in their inaugural addresses to the wars occurring at the time they are taking the oath? The short and simple answer is yes. During the War of 1812 James Madison railed at the British, who had set fire to the capitol. His address, perhaps t

What Historians Thought of President Bush's 2nd Inaugural Address: Excerpts

by Bonnie Goodman

Allan Lichtman (Presidential Historian, Professor of History American University)• "It's one of the most ringing endorsements of American intervention in American history… There's no limit to a subject so broadly defined, he set out, in broad thematic terms, a justification for a free hand."Thomas Cronin (President of Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington)• "Bush's speech was messianic in many

He's Given His Big Speech--But Can He Avoid the 2nd Term Curse?

by William C. Kashatus

Shortly after his re-election, President Bush declared that he'd "earned capital, political capital" in the election and that he intended to spend it during his second term. But Bush should not be so confident that his second term will be productive. It takes the press and the opposition party a full term to become familiar with an administration's use of executive power. But when a president wins re-election, his opponents have an opportunity to use that knowledge to undermin

Reading Between the Lines of Bush's Inaugural

by Ira Chernus

An inaugural address has to be read on at least two levels. On one level, it’s a practical tool to deal with the political problems of the day. On another level, it’s a ritual pronouncement for a ritual occasion. A religious element, larger or smaller, always haunts American political rhetoric. Some call it a civil religion. All seem to agree that George W. Bush has made it larger. Religious language is a potent force, as this president has shown quite clearly. The more we underst

Bush's Inaugural: It's the War on Terrorism, Stupid

by Gil Troy

Pop quiz: can anyone remember any particular phrase, proposal or idea linked to President George W. Bush’s first inaugural? Political junkies may speculate that he called for “compassionate conservatism,” but most would be remembering the 2000 campaign rather than the 2001 inauguration. Probably the 2001 inauguration was most memorable for proceeding so smoothly; perhaps the defining image showed the Clintons, Gores, Cheneys and Bushes amiably but cautiously navigating the rain

A Novelist Wonders If His Plot Could Come True ... Assassination at the Inauguration?

by Harris Baseman

John Dean in these pages and Messrs. Ornstein and Fortier before him have pointed out the enormous risk to our Republic from an Inauguration Day mass assassination. They indicate that if an assa

Prisoners of Hope

by Cornel West

"He who has never despaired has no need to have lived."-Goethe A specter of despair haunts late twentieth-century America. The quality of our lives and the integrity of our souls are in jeopardy. Wealth inequality and class polarization are escalating, with ugly consequences for the most vulner

Can a Spy Sue the Government If It Cheats Him Out of a Paycheck?

by James Castagnera

What are the legal rights of a fired spy? That's the question that confronted the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, January 11th, when Justices heard oral arguments in John Doe v. Tenet. The case came to the Supremes from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit out in California, where a majority of the judges agreed with the federal trial court in Washington State that Doe and his wife have a valid claim. The appeals court judges who thought otherwise, and filed a dissen

Calling Ex-Presidents Back to Service

by Max Skidmore

Former presidents -- and former political enemies -- Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush are cooperating to encourage and coordinate private relief efforts following the disastrous tsunami in Asia. George W. Bush appointed his two immediate predecessors, thus ensuring that the joint leaders would represent both parties and also bring presidential prestige. Was it odd that he avoided naming another former president distinguished for his post-presidential humanitarian activities, Jimmy

How a Story About the Purple Heart Illustrates Our Unpreparedness for Warfare Involving Lasers

by D.M. Giangreco

According to a recent article carried by the Associated Press, pilot John Nance, a prominent safety consultant, warned that military-style lasers could be used by terrorists to blind pilots or possibly even kill them by causing a cerebral hemorrhage. Nance says it is possible that in some cases terrorists were behind the recent rash of laser incidents as they experiment with new ways to bring down planes and the

Japanese Internment: Why It Was a Good Idea--And the Lessons It Offers Today

by Daniel Pipes

For years, it has been my position that the threat of radical Islam implies an imperative to focus security measures on Muslims. If searching for rapists, one looks only at the male population. Similarly, if searching for Islamists (adherents of radical Islam), one looks at the Muslim population.And so, I was encouraged by a just-released

How Will the Rehnquist Court Be Remembered (And What Kind of Court Is Likely to Succeed It?)

by Mark Tushnet

The imminent retirement of Chief Justice William Rehnquist provides an opportunity to consider the role the Supreme Court has played in the U.S. political system. Putting it in the broadest possible terms: For most of its history, th

Can Academics Bridge the Red State-Blue State Divide?

by Chris Bray

In January, 1861, swimming with the secessionist tide that followed Abraham Lincoln’s election to the presidency, Mayor Fernando Wood proposed that New York City declare its independence from the United States. Wood wasn’t proposing to join the Confederacy, exactly. Instead, recognizing that the city’s prosperity was tied closely to agricultural trade, the political leader of America’s commercial center was suggesting that New York become something like the “Stat

President G.I. Joe (The Meaning of War Toys)

by Tom Engelhardt

You come out of the subway at Times Square across the street from the Gap and catty-corner to ESPN Zone, walk past the Drug Enforcement Agency's temporary museum ("Freedom is… Drug Free!") with its"Target America: Drug Traffickers, Terrorists, and You" show, stroll past the New York Police Department's office, its name outlined in flashing, red-capped, neon-blue letters, past the U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Station with the big-screen video ads over the door, and plunge through traffi

What Military Recruiters Are Doing to Fill the Ranks

by Tom Palaima

Good morning, good morning, the Sergeant he cried. And the same to you, gentlemen, we did reply, Intending no harm but meant to pass by, For it bein' on Christmas mornin'. But, says he, My fine fellows, if you will enlist, Ten guineas in gold I'll stick to your fist, And a crown in the bargain for to kick up the dust, And drink the king's health in the morning. For a soldier, he leads a very fine life, And he alwa