Linda S. Heard: Chilling implications of Bush's address
| Special to Gulf News | 27-01-2004
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Bush's recent State of the Union address contains a frightening message beneath its lurid warnings, dramatic descriptions and attempts to tug at the heart-strings. If the American voters secure another four-year term for their president, there will be more of the same: more overseas interference; more wars; more budget deficits and an even greater erosion of civil liberties.
Such is Bush's confident grip he no longer tries to hide his religious fervour. In the beginning of the speech, he grandiosely speaks of America as "a nation called to great responsibilities". He neglected to mention who or what is doing the calling.
"I believe that God has planted in every heart the desire to live in freedom", he later asserted, while ignoring the helplessness of the Palestinians struggling for survival under the weight of Israel's occupation.
The creator was referred to again when the topic turned to marriage. "The same moral tradition that defines marriage also teaches that each individual has dignity and value in God's sight", said Bush before praising America's religious institutions and their charitable works.
He forgot to say how many Muslim charities have been investigated and closed down, accused of furthering "terror", while Muslim countries have been severely leant on to shut the doors on theirs and discourage charitable contributions.
Sounding at times more like a pop preacher than the leader of the superpower, Bush thus pandered to his Southern Baptist and Evangelical Christian support base. In his parting words he asks God to bless the United States and urges his people to "trust in that greater power who guides the unfolding of the years", adding, "In all that is to come, we can know that his purposes are just and true."
In all that is to come. Going by the speech, just what is to come?
The "war on terror" is high on the Bush priority list. "As we gather tonight, hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and women are deployed across the world in the war on terror", he said. Those who lost their lives and limbs in Afghanistan and Iraq at the hands of those servicemen and women might conclude they were victims of terror.
US military personnel were glorified to the extent that small children were requested by Bush to approach a man or woman in uniform and say "thank you". Note to small Palestinian, Afghan and Iraqi children: Attempt this at your own risk!
"As part of the offensive against terror, we are also confronting the regimes that harbour and support terrorists and could supply them with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons...we refuse to live in the shadow of this ultimate danger", said Bush. Naturally, he omitted mentioning that neither Afghanistan nor Iraq possessed nuclear, chemical or biological weapons with which to supply America's enemies.
Furthermore, those countries currently being accused of harbouring terrorists or developing weapons were earmarked for invasion or domination long before the "war on terror" was born; and way before September 11, 2001. This, we know from advisories formulated by the Project for a New American Century as far back as 2000; statements from former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill and from former US General and Democratic presidential contender Wesley Clark.
The Middle East was described as "a place of tyranny, despair and anger" that "threatens the safety of America and our friends" (read Israel). Bush promised to "challenge the enemies of reform, confront the allies of terror, and expect a higher standard from our friends".
One of his greatest pals, Ariel Sharon - implicated in the massacres at Sabra and Shatilla by an Israeli commission and currently being investigated for corruption - should present the greatest challenge but won't. Instead, according to the editor of Jane's Intelligence Digest, the Bush administration may be poised to attack Hezbollah bases in southern Lebanon and is considering strikes on the Bekaa Valley "where the bulk of Syria's forces are deployed..."
There was no mention of the roadmap, Geneva, the Saudi peace plan or the willingness of the Syrians to talk peace. The Palestinians were once again left without a glimmer of hope.
Although Bush acknowledges that 28 months have passed since September 11, 2001 "over two years without an attack on American soil", he lauds the controversial Patriot Act, which is due to expire next year, insisting that it be renewed.
According to the website of the Centre for Constitutional Rights, "the War on Terror has seriously compromised the First, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights of citizens and non-citizens alike. From the USA Patriot Act's over-broad definition of domestic terrorism, to the FBI's new powers of search and surveillance, to the indefinite detention of both citizens and non-citizens without formal charges, the principles of free speech, due process and equal protection under the law have been seriously undermined."
The Centre goes on to accuse the US government of "failing in its responsibility to maintain a democratic society that is both open to, and accountable to, the people."
In short, the State of the Union address smacked of military ambition on the back of fighting terror along with an eagerness to further curtail American civil liberties. The Middle East was painted with damning colours and then ignored. Even more disturbing was the President's implications that God somehow approved and was firmly in the American corner.
If such messianic militarism sets the tone of the President's address during the run-up to an election, if and when the nation offers a second stamp of approval, what will the next speech be like? If Howard Dean, John Kerry, and Wesley Clark – all presidential candidates – have their way, we'll hopefully never get the chance to find out.
Linda S. Heard is a specialist writer on Middle East affairs. She can be contacted at lheard@gulfnews.com
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