From: E. Shaun Russell (e_shaun@extropy.org)
Date: Fri Sep 21 2001 - 11:35:52 MDT
Greg Burch wrote:
>Let me defend briefly -- and before I've finished my first cup of coffee
>(never a good idea, admittedly) -- my hyperbole of last night about Bush's
>*speech* being a "pivotal moment in history." These are the things that led
>me to write those words: [...]
I have a few disjointed thoughts on this below...
I must agree with Greg's assessment wholeheartedly. This is certainly the
best live speech I have heard in my lifetime, and I depending on the
outcome of the next few years, it will likely stand as one of the best in
U.S. history.
I was somewhat saddened by the fact that he claimed that the country's
closest friend was Great Britain, as opposed to Canada. However, the fact
of the matter is that while the majority of Canadian people do support the
US and any action it takes, the Canadian government has been anything but
forthright in mirroring this support. I am also slightly concerned that
Canada may have (inadvertently) harbored some of the terrorists involved in
the hijackings.
What I found beautiful about Bush's speech is that he conveyed the purity
and necessity of the core American values of liberty, justice and freedom
in a way that few other politicians have been able to do. In other words,
his speech sounded genuine and true. Perhaps it was written for him --it
probably was...but I don't think that anyone can fake sincerity to the
degree that Bush displayed.
As he was speaking, a couple of thoughts went through my mind about the
irony of politics. Two weeks ago, the average North American thought of
Bush as somewhat "stupid" and not good with words. I don't think we'll
hear *that* sentiment again. I also wondered what Gore would have sounded
like in a similar speech. Twenty years from now, it will be difficult for
American History students to believe that what may be a legendary president
will have only achieved his presidency after unprecedented deliberations
and recounted ballots.
Regardless of what happens in the next number of years, I am truly proud to
have witnessed this moment in history, and it gives me ever so much more
longing to be a citizen of the greatest nation.
Sincerely,
E. Shaun Russell
________________________________________________________
E. Shaun Russell Operations Officer, Extropy Institute
e_shaun@extropy.org http://www.extropy.org
Director, Kryos Biomedical
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Hear my music at: http://www.mp3.com/eshaunrussell
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