Wednesday, June 21, 2006

From Tom Brokaw's commencement address to the Stanford class of 2006:
The memorable people for me represent that vast population of young and old of every hue and origin who gave up comforts and convention to answer their conscience, who are guided by their moral compass to difficult challenges and who are determined to make a difference. They lived in the real world and they took responsibility for it. They did not attach themselves simply to a virtual experience and find satisfaction in a search engine. They were boots on the ground, hands in the dirt, nights in scary places, healing and courageous. They stepped into the unknown and they made it more welcoming for the rest of us.

...These are difficult times. We are at war. And this war, as all wars are, is one freighted with mistakes and miscalculations, lethal consequences, highly charged emotions, defeats and successes. It is the debate in which we all have a say. I have a special place in my mind and in my heart for those who understand that patriotism is not a loyalty oath. I am never more proud to be an American than when a fellow citizen steps forward and says, "Can't we do better?"

5 Comments:

Blogger breakdown said...

Its a tough subject war. When to go when not to.
Its not just about the fighting, but the aftermath. A 2 week war cab take years to get back to normality if ever.
Often on paper you can win a war but in reailty know you have lost it, but in most cases both sides lose.
The time when to choose when to go to war is easy. its when there is no choice. When Pearl Harbor was bombed there was no choice. September 11th, there was no choice.
Lets see with this war, whether we win or look back on it like other conquests that did not work out, or can see the real benefits of a better safer world.

Mark ICS

1:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Decisions are made when a nation is at war that are occasionally bizarre and impulsive. Wars are emotional as well as political and of course military. There have been a lot of wrong turns in this war but the objective is sound.
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7:24 PM  
Blogger Tony said...

Is any war a just war? Who is to say if Bush is wrong or right - history will tell.
String Quartet

4:14 PM  
Blogger Azri said...

Hi,
I have read through the address and i think it is really good. It is full of inspiration and using really nice words. It makes me thinking of myself and where i am heading to....

Cheers,
Pet Treadmills

2:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

war is raw... hope we all live in peace

cheers...

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2:36 PM  

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