The Difference Between Clinton and Bush

Reading American history makes one remember that our freedom did not come cheaply, freedom never does. Remember the Revolutionary War? Are we willing to fight to become a new nation, or do we belong forever to the King of England? We chose freedom and fought for it. Our fledgling country cost dearly in lives, 11,000 dead and wounded. How about the Civil War? Even though we said we were the “land of the free,” not everyone was. That cost dearly also, over 550,000 dead and wounded. So many in this country gave up their lives to make us free, as well as spreading freedom and stopping atrocities in Europe, as in World War I and II for instance. From my readings it would seem to me that most of Europe would be speaking German and goose-stepping right now if it weren’t for Uncle Sam and the Allied Forces. I am not of the political opinion that the United States is wrong in many of the cases where it is accused, and I am frankly disturbed at those that do feel that way. There is so much anti-American sentiment and cynicism, much of it coming from Americans. Yet we are the ones who stepped in time after time around the world and have accomplished what no other country had the guts to do. We have been generous with some that didn’t even deserve it, giving them food, medicine, money and troops. Why? Because we’re the good guys. Now as you know, good guys make mistakes too, and heaven knows our country is not perfect, but what we stand for is!
My belief in God and what I can gather about Him (God is genderless, I am simply using the pronoun used in the Old and New Testaments) tells me in no uncertain terms that He meant all people to be free. Not just some, but all. When someone comes along like a Hitler, Stalin or Hussein they have to be stopped. While Sadaam only killed 1.3 million as compared to Hitler’s six million, and only tried to invade one country compared to Hitler, do you not see a pattern here? In terms of our country, we perhaps would not have had the where-with-all to battle the Brits if we had been suppressed for thousands of years beforehand. We may have needed someone’s help with that. Yet, this is what Iraq faced. Of course there are people who don’t want a free Iraq, and they are fighting to keep it. If you are a terrorist and have had your way killing and raping wantonly, you would want to protect your little empire. Remember, there were those who did not want to see an America born. We however, dug in our heels and did it anyway, becoming as far as I am concerned the greatest country on earth.
Some of us feel “lucky” that we live in a free country. I don’t have much use for the word “lucky” especially when you are referring to the comparison of living in a dictatorship or being free. I wonder if the Iraqi’s feel “luckier” now, or do you think they preferred the “luck” they felt under Sadaam’s rule? Do you think, if we could somehow talk to a soldier from the Civil War or World War I, that he would be happy if we thanked him for making us feel “lucky?” I think the WW I veteran would be speechless at the thought that he and his comrades left their families behind, went off fighting in some foreign country, got shot at and many died so that we would feel, “lucky.”

Let’s answer the tricky question that appears to mind boggle Liberal Democrats. Let’s go back to what President Bush said in his speech after 9/11. You might remember that night when Democrats and Republicans stood side by side and applauded the strong words of our President. That lasted a few weeks until Democrats realized that Bush was about to do things that Clinton couldn’t even dream of. I will refresh your memory, in case you have forgotten. President Bush realized what President Clinton refused to acknowledge. The acts of terrorism by Muslim fanatics were an act of war, not a law enforcement issue.
President Bush said, “Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes, visible on TV, and covert operations, secret even in success. We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place, until there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. (Applause.) From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime.”
It has been well documented that Iraq funded and had training camps for terrorists. Sadaam, himself a terrorist, killed, tortured and imprisoned many. The death toll for the Iraqi people numbers over 1.3 million, and for many of these deaths Sadaam used weapons of mass destruction. Iraq then qualifies as a hostile regime. Now, why did President Bush feel that he had to take a more forceful approach and why have Islamic fundamentalists called the U.S. soldier a “paper tiger?” Let’s look at President Clinton’s way of handling terrorism and find out why Bush reacted differently.

Remember these events perpetrated by Islamic Fundamentalists? Here are a few.
1993, October-18 Soldiers killed in Somalia. Many cheered as the body of an American was dragged through the streets.
*Response by President Clinton-Ordered our troops home.
1995, November-Five Americans killed and 30 wounded by a car bomb in Saudi Arabia,
*Response by President Clinton-Nothing
1996, June-U.S. Air Force complex bombed in Saudi Arabia. 19 dead, 224 wounded.
*Response by President Clinton-Nothing
1998, November-President Clinton wanted to bomb Iraq but folded when the UN said no. (I guess they didn’t want to jeopardize their take for the oil for food program).
1998, August 7th -U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed. 224 dead, 5,000 wounded.
*Response by President Clinton-Nothing
1998, August 20th -Monica Lewinsky testifies.
*Response by President Clinton-Bombed Afganistan and Sudan. (Don’t worry, there was no damage, except that poor camel)
1998, December 16th -House of Representatives to impeach President Clinton
*Response by President Clinton-Major air strikes against Iraq
1999, April-Impeachment
*Response by President Clinton-End Military Action
1999, October-U.S.S. Cole bombed. 17 dead, 39 wounded.
*Response by President Clinton-Nothing
2001, September 11-Attack on the World Trade Center, Attack on the Pentagon, Flight 93, 3,030 dead.
*Response by President Bush-won the freedom and liberation of 2 countries, captured Sadaam Hussein, killed many leaders of Al-Qaida including Sadaam’s two sons. Hospitals and schools now being built. Elections held in Afganistan and a successful election in Iraq. Women are free to work or attend school. No more mass graves or children in prisons. Iraq once again on the stock market.

We all know by now about the Sudanese offering President Clinton Osama Bin Laden on three separate occasions. The President turned them down all three times.

Some try and fault President Bush for not being more proactive and prepared for 9/11 though he had been in office a mere eight months. The above however chronicles President Clinton’s watch of eight years. It’s time to be intellectually honest about a few things. President Clinton had eight years, knowing full well what people like Bin Laden could do and decided not to act. Yet, if President Clinton knew all this, why did he consistently choose to cut the military and recommend an abolishment of the CIA? There is a ton of evidence out there that strongly suggests that President Clinton made some incredibly wrong decisions regarding our military and our ability to have adequate military intelligence. Let’s face it. Clinton was never pro-military.
To those who are unhappy that there are free people in Iraq and Afganistan must believe that these people were better off before, and that a dictatorship is preferable to a democracy. If you really believe that, there are still a few nations that have dictatorships. I’ll help you pack.

God Bless America