Bush’s fifth State of the Union address

Our offensive against terror involves more than military action.  Ultimately, the only way to defeat the terrorists is to defeat their dark vision of hatred and fear by offering the hopeful alternative of political freedom and peaceful change.  So the United States of America supports democratic reform across the broader Middle East.  Elections are vital – but they are only the beginning.  Raising up a democracy requires the rule of law, protection of minorities, and strong, accountable institutions that last longer than a single vote.  The great people of Egypt have voted in a multi-party presidential election – and now their government should open paths of peaceful opposition that will reduce the appeal of radicalism.  The Palestinian people have voted in elections – and now the leaders of Hamas must recognize Israel, disarm, reject terrorism, and work for lasting peace.  Saudi Arabia has taken the first steps of reform – now it can offer its people a better future by pressing forward with those efforts.  Democracies in the Middle East will not look like our own, because they will reflect the traditions of their own citizens.  Yet liberty is the future of every nation in the Middle East, because liberty is the right and hope of all humanity.

The same is true of Iran, a nation now held hostage by a small clerical elite that is isolating and repressing its people.  The regime in that country sponsors terrorists in the Palestinian territories and in Lebanon – and that must come to an end.  The Iranian government is defying the world with its nuclear ambitions – and the nations of the world must not permit the Iranian regime to gain nuclear weapons.  America will continue to rally the world to confront these threats.  And tonight, let me speak directly to the citizens of Iran:  America respects you, and we respect your country.  We respect your right to choose your own future and win your own freedom.  And our Nation hopes one day to be the closest of friends with a free and democratic Iran. 

To overcome dangers in our world, we must also take the offensive by encouraging economic progress, and fighting disease, and spreading hope in hopeless lands.  Isolationism would not only tie our hands in fighting enemies, it would keep us from helping our friends in desperate need.  We show compassion abroad because Americans believe in the God-given dignity and worth of a villager with HIV/AIDS, or an infant with malaria, or a refugee fleeing genocide, or a young girl sold into slavery.  We also show compassion abroad because regions overwhelmed by poverty, corruption, and despair are sources of terrorism, and organized crime, and human trafficking, and the drug trade. 

In recent years, you and I have taken unprecedented action to fight AIDS and malaria, expand the education of girls, and reward developing nations that are moving forward with economic and political reform.  For people everywhere, the United States is a partner for a better life.  Short-changing these efforts would increase the suffering and chaos of our world, undercut our long-term security, and dull the conscience of our country.  I urge Members of Congress to serve the interests of America by showing the compassion of America. 

Our country must also remain on the offensive against terrorism here at home.  The enemy has not lost the desire or capability to attack us.  Fortunately, this Nation has superb professionals in law enforcement, intelligence, the military, and homeland security.  These men and women are dedicating their lives to protecting us all, and they deserve our support and our thanks.  They also deserve the same tools they already use to fight drug trafficking and organized crime – so I ask you to reauthorize the Patriot Act.

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