Post by bot on May 27, 2004 19:46:11 GMT -5
Remarks of Sen. John Kerry on 'Security and Strength for a New World'
5/27/2004 4:27:00 PM
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To: National Desk, Political Reporter
Contact: Allison Dobson of John Kerry for President, 202-712-3000; Web: www.johnkerry.com
SEATTLE, May 27 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following are remarks, as prepared for delivery, by Sen. John Kerry today:
Thank you all for being here.
Over the next ten days, our nation will come together to honor the bravery and sacrifice of past generations of Americans. On Saturday, in our nation's capital, we will dedicate a memorial to the heroes of the Greatest Generation who won World War II. On Memorial Day, we will salute all those who for more than two centuries made the ultimate sacrifice when America's freedom was on the line.
And on June 6th, we will mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day by remembering the brave young men who scaled the cliffs on beaches called Omaha and Utah -- and brought the light of liberty from the New World to the Old.
To me, and to millions of Americans, the days ahead will be filled with the pride of families, the sadness of loss and a renewed commitment to service. But that is not enough. We must pay tribute.
We must hear and heed the lessons of the Greatest Generation.
Our leaders then understood that America drew its power not only from the might of weapons, but also from the trust and respect of nations around the globe. There was a time, not so long ago, when the might of our alliances was a driving force in the survival and success of freedom -- in two World Wars, in the long years of the Cold War -- then from the Gulf War to Bosnia and Kosovo. America led instead of going it alone. We extended a hand, not a fist. We respected the world -- and the world respected us.
More than a century ago, Teddy Roosevelt defined American leadership in foreign policy. He said America should walk softly and carry a big stick. Time and again, this Administration has violated the fundamental tenet of Roosevelt's approach, as he described it: "If a man continually blusters, if he lacks civility, a big stick will not save him from trouble."
But that is precisely what this Administration has done. They looked to force before exhausting diplomacy. They bullied when they should have persuaded.
They have gone it alone when they should have assembled a team. They have hoped for the best when they should have prepared for the worst. In short, they have undermined the legacy of generations of American leadership. And that is what we must restore.
5/27/2004 4:27:00 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: National Desk, Political Reporter
Contact: Allison Dobson of John Kerry for President, 202-712-3000; Web: www.johnkerry.com
SEATTLE, May 27 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following are remarks, as prepared for delivery, by Sen. John Kerry today:
Thank you all for being here.
Over the next ten days, our nation will come together to honor the bravery and sacrifice of past generations of Americans. On Saturday, in our nation's capital, we will dedicate a memorial to the heroes of the Greatest Generation who won World War II. On Memorial Day, we will salute all those who for more than two centuries made the ultimate sacrifice when America's freedom was on the line.
And on June 6th, we will mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day by remembering the brave young men who scaled the cliffs on beaches called Omaha and Utah -- and brought the light of liberty from the New World to the Old.
To me, and to millions of Americans, the days ahead will be filled with the pride of families, the sadness of loss and a renewed commitment to service. But that is not enough. We must pay tribute.
We must hear and heed the lessons of the Greatest Generation.
Our leaders then understood that America drew its power not only from the might of weapons, but also from the trust and respect of nations around the globe. There was a time, not so long ago, when the might of our alliances was a driving force in the survival and success of freedom -- in two World Wars, in the long years of the Cold War -- then from the Gulf War to Bosnia and Kosovo. America led instead of going it alone. We extended a hand, not a fist. We respected the world -- and the world respected us.
More than a century ago, Teddy Roosevelt defined American leadership in foreign policy. He said America should walk softly and carry a big stick. Time and again, this Administration has violated the fundamental tenet of Roosevelt's approach, as he described it: "If a man continually blusters, if he lacks civility, a big stick will not save him from trouble."
But that is precisely what this Administration has done. They looked to force before exhausting diplomacy. They bullied when they should have persuaded.
They have gone it alone when they should have assembled a team. They have hoped for the best when they should have prepared for the worst. In short, they have undermined the legacy of generations of American leadership. And that is what we must restore.