What I Wish the President Would Say

I'm not a great speech writer, and even if my word-smithing was good enough, the President would never use my speech because I'm not nearly politically correct enough. But if I were the President's speech writer right now, here's what I would have him say:

My fellow Americans and People of the world,
Tonight I stand before you prepared to say what has needed to be said for some time. What I have to say will not be politically correct. What I have to say will make many of you angry. In short, tonight, the gloves come off.

I will begin by addressing members of Congress. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Congress, GROW UP. There are more important issues on the table than your re-election, the amount of money you can spend on frivilous things for your state and trying to discredit my presidency. I am not the enemy. I should be the least of your worries.

We face an enemy unlike any other in the history of our nation. The Islamic jihadists hate us. They want us to convert to radical Islam or die. They want to take over America and they will not stop trying to harm us until they win or until they are dead. Those are the facts. They are persistent, they are savvy, and they are patient. They understand the stakes of this game. They are prepared to fight until the death. They know what they have to gain and what we have to lose.

Do you understand the stakes? Do you know what we have to gain by defeating this kind of enemy? Do you really understand what we could lose if radical muslims win? Do you care? Is America worth fighting for? Do you understand that if we lose this war, if we lose America, you will, in all probability be among the first to lose your lives? Is your life worth fighting for? Do you get it yet?

I challenge each of you this evening to quit playing political games and start caring more about the well-being of the country and the people you were elected to represent than what anyone else in the world thinks. Are you up to the challenge?. If you still don't get it, go back and read an accurate account of world history. Learn from it. Put aside the petty partisan politics and work with me to defend our country, our freedoms and our lives.

Next, I want to address the American media. Some of you are to be commended for your reporting of the facts. Some of you have done your job with dignity and an understanding of the true nature of this war. To you, I say, thank you and keep up the good work.

Most of you, however, have been a total disgrace. The major television network reporters and print journalists (and you know who you are) have allowed yourselves to be used as mere propaganda tools. You have foolishly chosen to take a political stand and make a statement against this administration that has colored your journalism in such as way as to absolutely blind you from reality. There is no integrity in what you do. You have become mouthpieces for a political activist group and you no more search for the truth than they do. Instead of supporting our men and women in harm's way, you do your best to undercut their efforts and to discredit their honor. You work tirelessly to shame these honorable men and women, all the while giving undue aid, comfort and credit to the enemy. Instead of reporting the facts, you search for sensationalism, often taking the word of a terrorist or dictator over the words of an American soldier and at times, completely fabricating stories in order to discredit those with whom you disagree.

Your complete lack of integrity and compassion, your willingness to give credibility to those so completely undeserving and your incredible bias has not gone unnoticed. I know what is being said and written and the American public is well aware of your tactics. On behalf of the American people, I tell you that we have had enough. If you choose to continue in the same manner, there will be consequences. If need be, there will be legal consequences. Your actions will no longer continue unchecked. When you slander or defame an innocent person or administration, when your words needlessly put American troops in greater danger, when you work to discredit America at home or abroad, your days as a "journalist" will be numbered.

Next, I want to address our allies. Thank you. I cannot express the gratitude I feel for your support in this global war on terror. You have heard the reports, weighed the evidence and chosen to side with freedom and democracy rather than oppression and tyranny. You understand that the threat is not simply for America but for all freedom-loving countries of the world. Simply put, you understand that in fighting with America, you also help defend yourselves against evil and terror.

The price of freedom is high. It is not won without the sacrifice of selfless men and women. I understand that with each death, the price grows seemingly too high to bear, but I urge you to stay the course. The price of defeat will, without a doubt, be much greater. None of us can afford to pay that price, and so we must win. There can be no other alternative.

And now let me say a few words to those who have chosen not to support America and her allies in the war on terror. You have already lost. You are already paying a terrible price for being unwilling to stand up against evil. You may not realize it yet, but your unwillingness to stand firm against oppression will ultimately result in the loss of your freedom. France and the Netherlands, Iran, North Korea and other countries who have chosen not to fight are already feeling the effects of oppression, whether from communist regimes long in place or the newer, as yet more subtle occupation of radical muslims. Your days, if you continue to choose not to fight, are numbered.

While America will always stand for freedom and democracy, will always fight for those who cannot defend themselves, we can only do so much. We cannot fight every battle by ourselves when faced with such a global threat. We must defend ourselves and our allies first. If you choose not to recognize the threat, to turn a blind eye to true evil and refuse to fight for your own freedom, then don't expect America to come running when you need help. The time has come when we must do whatever it takes to defend ourselves and our freedom-loving allies and if we must pull troops from your countries in order to do so, we will. We can no longer fight everyone else's battles. It's time to take a stand against evil. If you refuse, then we will no longer do it for you.

Now I turn to the American people. My fellow Americans, I love this great country and I know that many of you do as well. I apologize for sometimes allowing myself to get caught up in partisan politics, for sometimes being too stubborn to listen to those of you who elected me, and for sometimes focusing on the wrong solutions to problems. I will do my best to do better.

I promise you, however, that from this moment forward, I will do absolutely everything in my power to protect you and this country. I will fight with every ounce of my conviction those who wish to do us harm. I will not give in and I will not give up. I will fight for my freedom and yours, but I cannot do it alone.

I realize that this war on terror is not easy. Many of you have sacrificed already for the sake of this war. Some of you have lost loved ones on the battlefield. The price has been high, and it will go higher. I urge you to stand with me and stay the course. It is tempting to cut and run. It is tempting to concentrate only on the cost of this war, both physically and fiscally, rather than the ultimate outcome. It is tempting to be swayed by the false and innacurate reporting that has become all too common. I implore you to stand with me, to be strong and to remain patient. This war will not end quickly. In fact, it may never officially end. We must concentrate on winning each battle and in slowly, but certainly defeating our enemy. Our freedom, our country and our lives depend upon our prayers, our patience and our perseverance. If we stand together, we will not be defeated. The only way we can be defeated is if we defeat ourselves. This is what the terrorists hope and plan for. We cannot allow them to be successful. It is not an option. We will not be defeated from within if we resolve now, this very day, to stand and fight together.

And finally, there are a few things I would like to say to our enemy. First, America knows who you are. We understand that our enemy is not simply a band of thugs from one country, or a political ideology, but rather a religion of hate and intolerance. Radical Islam is not a peaceable religion as you so often profess, but one of oppression and intolerance. As such, it cannot be fought in the usual manner.

From here on out, if you are a muslim male, be prepared to wait in lines at airports and subways and train stations. We will be doing racial profiling. This will continue until muslim males no longer fit the profile of homicide bombers. If muslim females begin to fit the profile, they can expect long waits as well.

If you are captured on the battlefield as an enemy combatant, you have no American civil or criminal rights. The only rights you have are to be treated as a human being. This is far more than you do for your prisoners, but we refuse to stoop to your level. So complain to the press, complain to your immams, complain to the ACLU, but in the end, it will do you no good. If you fight against us and are captured, you forfeit your rights. We abide by the Geneva convention. That's it. If you want the rights of an American, then become a legal citizen and join the fight against evil and oppression with us. Otherwise, tough luck.

And finally, do not underestimate the will of the American people. It may seem as though we have lost our resolve, as if we have no patience for a long war, as if we have not learned any lessons from the brutal attacks you perpetrated against us on September 11, but you are wrong. While some have done just that, many others are still strong and patient and full of passionate resolve. They have been the quiet majority all along, but more and more, their voices are being heard. They are what make America strong. They will not give up, they will not give in and they know who and what they are fighting. Again, never underestimate America.

God Bless you, and good night.