9781422280232

An Office for Action From a speech by President George W. Bush, September 20, 2001:

Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes, visible on TV, and covert operations, secret even in success. We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place, until there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime.  Our nation has been put on notice: we are not immune from attack. We will take defensive measures against terrorism to protect Americans. Today, dozens of federal departments and agencies, as well as state and local governments, have responsibilities affecting homeland security. These efforts must be coordinated at the highest level. So tonight I announce the creation of a Cabinet-level position reporting directly to me—the Office of Homeland Security.

A World Power The 20th century ended with the United States acknowledged as the world’s unrivaled superpower , its peace and prosperity apparently assured. It is important to remember, as we enter what are likely to be difficult and dangerous times, that America has fought for its freedoms—and those of other people around the world—many times before. The United States was born from conflict when American colonists forcibly broke away from the British. Their freedom was fought for by the first citizen militias, the direct ancestors of our modern National Guard. Subsequently, the new country would have to defend its inde- pendence on the field of battle several times in the course of the 19th century. Indeed, it fought wars not only with Britain but also with France, Mexico, and Spain. Democracy has always had to be defended. This belief propelled the United States onto the world stage in 1917, intervening to bring an end to the bloody stalemate of World War I. President WoodrowWilson had, for some time, tried using diplomatic influence to end the carnage of the trenches; when these attempts failed, he felt the country had no alternative but action. The aggressive militarism of the kaiser’s Germany

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