Bush talks about terror, economy, security
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SOUTH BEND - Small children rode their daddies' shoulders and amateur photographers raised lenses to record in memory and on film the arrival of U.S. President George W. Bush at the South Bend Regional Airport Thursday.
More than 5,000 voices shouted greetings when the president appeared, waving, at the door of Air Force One, outside the ATA Connection hangar.
Bush attended the rally in the city prior to appearing at a fund-raiser for Chris Chocola last night. Chocola is the Republican nominee for Congress in November's Second District race.
Flanked by local dignitaries, including the East Side Little League girls softball team, he spoke for more than half an hour about the problems "we face as Americans."
The body of the speech focused on terrorism and "the enemy who hates us." The president touched on economic stability, the need for an energy bill and the newly enacted corporate reform legislation.
He called on the audience to work together to make America a safer place, a stronger place, a better place.
"There were people who thought they could cook the books," he said of the recent corporate financial disclosures. "They found out there was no easy dollar, just hard time."
Telling the audience that American workers are the best in the world, he said the tax relief plan recently enacted comes at the right time in American history.
"If you let a person keep their own money, they'll demand a service, and when they demand a service, someone will make it, and that means more jobs."
He called for less dependence on foreign sources of crude oil and an energy bill supporting conservation, technology and renewable, safer energy for national security.
The subject of national security was touched on several times, with Bush asking Congress to provide a "terrorist insurance" bill and a homeland security department.
"We have an enemy out there that hates us," he said. "An enemy that hides in dark caves, slithers into dark cities.
"Tell kids there are killers that hate Americans because of what we love - our freedom to worship, to speak, to assemble and freedom of the press. And because we value the worth of each life."
Bush said he wants a homeland security department to bring the 100 agencies already in place under one umbrella, with one set of goals and priorities.
"We have to hold the doctrine that says you're either with us or you're with terrorists."
The president said we went into Afghanistan not to conquer but to liberate people.
"No matter how long it takes to defend freedom in America, we'll defend it."
He talked of another threat - that of Iraq's president Saddam Hussein - saying there would be a national debate with open hearings and shared information regarding the issue of dealing with the threat Iraq poses.
"We cannot allow the world's worst leaders to have the world's worst weapons," he said of Hussein and his apparent weapons buildup.
"I see peace achieved by being strong when we need to be strong and forceful when we need to be forceful," he said. "When the enemy hit us, he awoke a mighty country."
Bush said everyone must take responsibility for their communities and their schools and organizations to ensure peace.
"Love your neighbor just like you want to be loved yourself," he charged.
"If you live in South Bend, Ind., you are responsible for the quality of education. You are responsible for the public schools. You are responsible for making sure your faith-based groups thrive. If they are looking for help, join in. You are responsible for helping feed the hungry.
"If you want to join the war on terror, be part of America."
Bush recounted the Sept. 11 legend of Flight 73, whose passengers rushed the hijacker-controlled cockpit after one man said to the others, "Let's roll."
He called it the most vivid, clear message anyone could give.
The president ended his speech calling the United States the greatest nation on the face of the Earth, which was received with wild cheers.
Last night Bush's appearance at a $250-a-plate dinner at Century Center brought in $650,000 for Chocola and featured photo sessions with the president for $4,000 a frame.
Both national parties are focusing on the race between Chocola and Democrat candidate Jill Long Thompson.
The newly drawn Second District seat, represented by retiring Democratic Rep. Tim Roemer for the past 12 years, is considered important for Republicans to win to retain control of the House.
It was Bush's second stop in South Bend since May 2001, when he gave the University of Notre Dame commencement speech. During his presidential campaign two years ago, Bush stumped for Chocola.
Vice President Dick Cheney also appeared on Chocola's behalf in South Bend in May, helping the candidate raise $250,000. [[In-content Ad]]
SOUTH BEND - Small children rode their daddies' shoulders and amateur photographers raised lenses to record in memory and on film the arrival of U.S. President George W. Bush at the South Bend Regional Airport Thursday.
More than 5,000 voices shouted greetings when the president appeared, waving, at the door of Air Force One, outside the ATA Connection hangar.
Bush attended the rally in the city prior to appearing at a fund-raiser for Chris Chocola last night. Chocola is the Republican nominee for Congress in November's Second District race.
Flanked by local dignitaries, including the East Side Little League girls softball team, he spoke for more than half an hour about the problems "we face as Americans."
The body of the speech focused on terrorism and "the enemy who hates us." The president touched on economic stability, the need for an energy bill and the newly enacted corporate reform legislation.
He called on the audience to work together to make America a safer place, a stronger place, a better place.
"There were people who thought they could cook the books," he said of the recent corporate financial disclosures. "They found out there was no easy dollar, just hard time."
Telling the audience that American workers are the best in the world, he said the tax relief plan recently enacted comes at the right time in American history.
"If you let a person keep their own money, they'll demand a service, and when they demand a service, someone will make it, and that means more jobs."
He called for less dependence on foreign sources of crude oil and an energy bill supporting conservation, technology and renewable, safer energy for national security.
The subject of national security was touched on several times, with Bush asking Congress to provide a "terrorist insurance" bill and a homeland security department.
"We have an enemy out there that hates us," he said. "An enemy that hides in dark caves, slithers into dark cities.
"Tell kids there are killers that hate Americans because of what we love - our freedom to worship, to speak, to assemble and freedom of the press. And because we value the worth of each life."
Bush said he wants a homeland security department to bring the 100 agencies already in place under one umbrella, with one set of goals and priorities.
"We have to hold the doctrine that says you're either with us or you're with terrorists."
The president said we went into Afghanistan not to conquer but to liberate people.
"No matter how long it takes to defend freedom in America, we'll defend it."
He talked of another threat - that of Iraq's president Saddam Hussein - saying there would be a national debate with open hearings and shared information regarding the issue of dealing with the threat Iraq poses.
"We cannot allow the world's worst leaders to have the world's worst weapons," he said of Hussein and his apparent weapons buildup.
"I see peace achieved by being strong when we need to be strong and forceful when we need to be forceful," he said. "When the enemy hit us, he awoke a mighty country."
Bush said everyone must take responsibility for their communities and their schools and organizations to ensure peace.
"Love your neighbor just like you want to be loved yourself," he charged.
"If you live in South Bend, Ind., you are responsible for the quality of education. You are responsible for the public schools. You are responsible for making sure your faith-based groups thrive. If they are looking for help, join in. You are responsible for helping feed the hungry.
"If you want to join the war on terror, be part of America."
Bush recounted the Sept. 11 legend of Flight 73, whose passengers rushed the hijacker-controlled cockpit after one man said to the others, "Let's roll."
He called it the most vivid, clear message anyone could give.
The president ended his speech calling the United States the greatest nation on the face of the Earth, which was received with wild cheers.
Last night Bush's appearance at a $250-a-plate dinner at Century Center brought in $650,000 for Chocola and featured photo sessions with the president for $4,000 a frame.
Both national parties are focusing on the race between Chocola and Democrat candidate Jill Long Thompson.
The newly drawn Second District seat, represented by retiring Democratic Rep. Tim Roemer for the past 12 years, is considered important for Republicans to win to retain control of the House.
It was Bush's second stop in South Bend since May 2001, when he gave the University of Notre Dame commencement speech. During his presidential campaign two years ago, Bush stumped for Chocola.
Vice President Dick Cheney also appeared on Chocola's behalf in South Bend in May, helping the candidate raise $250,000. [[In-content Ad]]