President Bush’s resolve in the terror of 9/11

Ten striking quotes of U.S. President George W. Bush from that dark moment in American history. 

• Today, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. These acts shattered steel but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
• Freedom itself has been attacked this morning by a faceless coward.
• This enemy hides in shadows, and has no regard for life. This is an enemy who preys on innocent and unsuspecting people, then runs for cover. But they won’t be able to run for cover forever. This will be a monumental struggle of good versus evil. But good will prevail.
• The resolve of our nation is being tested. But make no mistake: We will show the world that we will pass this test.
• The country has a job to do, the government has a job to do, I have a job to do and I’m going to do it.
• Americans are asking: What is expected of us? I ask you to live your lives, and hug your children. I ask you to be calm and resolute, even in the face of a continuing threat. I ask you to uphold the values of America.
• We have our marching orders; My fellow Americans, let’s roll.
• I will not forget this wound to our country or those who inflicted it. I will not yield; I will not rest; I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people. The course of this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is certain. Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done.
• Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between them. Fellow citizens, we’ll meet violence with patient justice – assured of the rightness of our cause and confident of the victories to come.
• We’re a peaceful nation. Yet, as we have learned, so suddenly and so tragically, there can be no peace in a world of sudden terror. The only way to pursue peace is to pursue those who threaten it.

(ed. – These quotes first appeared in the Fall 2001 issue of the By George e-newsletter.)