Editorials

State of the Union

Dear Friends:

This article from Gary Bauer came in via email just as I was writing my own article on last night's State of the Union Address by President Bush.
When I looked at my notes, I saw that he covered everything I was going to, and more. I am thrilled that he picked up on the intertwining of the Norward's dog tags and Ms. Suhail's sleeve or bracelet. What tremendous symbolism was created in that unplanned moment, for just as surely, America has become intertwined in Iraq's search for justice and freedom. But rather than write my own article, I'll let Mr. Bauer tell the story.


From: Gary L. Bauer

Date: Thursday, February 3, 2005

A Good Night

Pro-family conservatives had a lot to cheer about last night as President
Bush strongly reiterated his commitment to the federal marriage protection
amendment and the culture of life, and to restoring balance to our federal
courts. We have included relevant excerpts below. In all three areas it
was striking to see half of the chamber erupt into applause while the other
half glumly sat on their hands.

The most emotional part of the evening happened later when the president
acknowledged Janet and Bill Norwood, parents of a U.S. Marine killed by
sniper fire in Iraq. Mrs. Norwood had written the president a letter
recounting her son’s last visit home. It read in part, “When Byron was
home the last time, I said that I wanted to protect him like I had since he
was born. He just hugged me and said, ‘You’ve done your job, mom. Now
it’s my turn to protect you.’”

Also in the gallery was Safia Taleb al Suhail, whose father was
assassinated by Saddam Hussein’s secret police. She had written President
Bush too, telling him, “We were occupied for 35 years by Saddam Hussein.
That was the real occupation. Thank you to the American people who paid
the cost, but most of all to the soldiers.” As the chamber emotionally
applauded, Ms. Suhail and Mrs. Norwood embraced and the dog tags of Mrs.
Norwood’s hero son became entangled on Ms. Suhail’s sleeve.

Three individuals -- a grieving American mother, an Iraqi woman hoping her
country would be free, and a U.S. Marine who had paid the highest price of
devotion -- were in that moment bound together at the heart.

In a similarly poignant gesture, many members of Congress displayed their
own ink-stained fingers in order to show their support for the Iraqi
people, a effort organized by Rep. Bobby Jindal, a freshman Republican from
Louisiana.

I couldn’t help but reflect on how wrong the critics have been. Senator
Ted Kennedy telling us last week that our soldiers in Iraq were part of the
problem, not the solution. Senator Kerry warning us over the weekend not
to “over-hype” the election. The radical Left and the Soros/Moore crowd
who compare George W. Bush to Hitler and call America “fascist.” If they
and the United Nations had prevailed, Iraq would still be under the brutal
rule of Saddam Hussein, Palestinian terrorists would be profiting from the
scandalous oil-for-food program, and Ms. Suhail might be in one of Uday’s
rape rooms.



Select Quotes

MARRIAGE: “Because marriage is a sacred institution and the foundation of
society, it should not be re-defined by activist judges. For the good of
families, children, and society, I support a constitutional amendment to
protect the institution of marriage.”

LIFE: “Because a society is measured by how it treats the weak and
vulnerable, we must strive to build a culture of life. To build a culture
of life, we must also ensure that scientific advances always serve human
dignity, not take advantage of some lives for the benefit of others. We
should all be able to agree on some clear standards. I will work with
Congress to ensure that human embryos are not created for experimentation
or grown for body parts, and that human life is never bought and sold as a
commodity. America will continue to lead the world in medical research
that is ambitious, aggressive, and always ethical.”

JUDGES: “Because courts must always deliver impartial justice, judges have
a duty to faithfully interpret the law, not legislate from the bench. As
President, I have a constitutional responsibility to nominate men and women
who understand the role of courts in our democracy, and are well qualified
to serve on the bench - and I have done so. The Constitution also gives
the Senate a responsibility: Every judicial nominee deserves an up-or-down
vote.

Home • Life and Family • Judicial Philosophy • Professional • Editorials • Endorsements • Photo Gallery • Links