October 6. 2005

I've been thinking:

Washington closed down for business this morning.

Everyone who is anyone came to hear the president deliver his latest speech against terror. As soon as I heard George Bush read off the roster of administration officials I knew this was to be an "important" speech.

And it was - in one very particular way.
The president explained the time frame for fighting terror.

In a thorough explication of terror Bush laid out his objective to fight terror and to spread democracy. Most Americans are familiar with all that. It was a review.

Clearly and precisely Bush underscored the issues and the seriousness of the threat. Most Americans understand the impact it has on our lives. It was reinforcement.

The essential element of the speech is the time frame.
This war will take a very long time. Do not waiver. Not now. Not in the future. The only way to defeat terror is to be proactive and to advance democracy.
That's a hard lesson for Americans, especially in this age of immediacy.

"Never back down. Never give in. Never accept anything less than complete victory over terror," said the president. I add: Never rush.