January 22, 2005: Headlines: Speaking Out: Presidents - Bush: Toronto Star: Since its birth, the United States has always been a beacon light of freedom and has spread the good word about democracy and self-government through ideas and aid — but not at gunpoint. Has Bush ever heard of the Marshall Plan, the Peace Corps, the Voice of America and exchange student programs?

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Special Reports: January 18, 2005: Ask Not: January 22, 2005: Headlines: Speaking Out: Presidents - Bush: Toronto Star: Since its birth, the United States has always been a beacon light of freedom and has spread the good word about democracy and self-government through ideas and aid — but not at gunpoint. Has Bush ever heard of the Marshall Plan, the Peace Corps, the Voice of America and exchange student programs?

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-141-157-13-244.balt.east.verizon.net - 141.157.13.244) on Saturday, January 22, 2005 - 12:49 pm: Edit Post

Since its birth, the United States has always been a beacon light of freedom and has spread the good word about democracy and self-government through ideas and aid — but not at gunpoint. Has Bush ever heard of the Marshall Plan, the Peace Corps, the Voice of America and exchange student programs?

Since its birth, the United States has always been a beacon light of freedom and has spread the good word about democracy and self-government through ideas and aid — but not at gunpoint. Has Bush ever heard of the Marshall Plan, the Peace Corps, the Voice of America and exchange student programs?

Since its birth, the United States has always been a beacon light of freedom and has spread the good word about democracy and self-government through ideas and aid — but not at gunpoint. Has Bush ever heard of the Marshall Plan, the Peace Corps, the Voice of America and exchange student programs?

Push for freedom, with liberties taken

HELEN THOMAS
HEARST NEWSPAPERS

WASHINGTON—I've got news for U.S. President George W. Bush.

Since its birth, the United States has always been a beacon light of freedom and has spread the good word about democracy and self-government through ideas and aid — but not at gunpoint.

Has Bush ever heard of the Marshall Plan, the Peace Corps, the Voice of America and exchange student programs?

The United States was the model of freedom for the rest of the world until the president kicked off his new macho doctrine of pre-emptive war, with the unprovoked attack on Iraq being the first test of that theory.

This arrogant policy has cost us the admiration of liberty-loving friends and allies. It reversed our long-standing adherence to international law and our historical commitment to use force only when we are attacked — and then only as a last resort.

In his second inaugural address, Bush laid out his vision of a crusade to spread freedom and ultimately end tyranny in the world. His goals are worthy, but he did not say how he planned to achieve them.

Iraq is a tragic example of the high price that must be paid in bloodshed and destruction when we use force to try to transform political systems of other nations.

To many leaders, Bush's grand plan to topple tyrants and to expand freedom in the world smacks of imperialism. Will Bush go after sovereign nations headed by dictators who oppress their people but are friendly to the United States? Doubtful. They are the only friends he has left.

In his remarks, the president did not mention "Iraq" where Americans are dying daily — a total of 1,360 since the war began, with 10,500 others suffering wounds. The Pentagon does not divulge the Iraqi toll.

Nor was there any word on Afghanistan. "We are led by events and common sense, to one conclusion: The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands," Bush declared. "The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world."

Now Bush has escalated the ever-changing rationale for the U.S. invasion of Iraq by tucking it into his inaugural policy of pursuing global freedom.

We thought Iraq was on the hit list because Saddam Hussein had doomsday weapons that were threatening us — or so we were told. Back then, there was no word of any U.S.-inspired drive to rid the world of all bullies, just a regime change to depose Saddam.

A new New York Times-CBS News poll shows that concern about the war in Iraq is rising: 75 per cent of Americans polled said Bush had no clear plan for getting out of Iraq, a sharp jump from 58 per cent last fall; a majority said he routinely exaggerates conditions there. The poll also found that 53 per cent think the war in Iraq will not have been worth the loss of American life if weapons of mass destruction are never found.

The president would do a huge favour to America, Iraq and the world by learning that he can spread more freedom by peaceful means rather than by force of arms. He would achieve his goal and save lives.

Helen Thomas, senior member of the White House press corps,

began reporting during WWII.





When this story was posted in January 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Ask Not Date: January 18 2005 No: 388 Ask Not
As our country prepares for the inauguration of a President, we remember one of the greatest speeches of the 20th century and how his words inspired us. "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."

January 15, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Date: January 15 2005 No: 375 January 15, 2005: This Week's Top Stories
Bellamy finishing term - Veneman to head Unicef 15 Jan
230 RPCVs volunteer for Crisis Corps 14 Jan
Peace Corps Fund needs silent auction items 12 Jan
Matt Gould in one-man Peace Corps show in Hollywood 12 Jan
Taylor Hackford's "Ray" Nominated for Golden Globe 12 Jan
Ambassador Johnson shares memories of Thailand 11 Jan
Senator Dodd suggests PC return to Venezuela 11 Jan
Ambassador Hull wants PC to return to Sierra Leone 11 Jan
Poiriers unhappy with PC investigation of missing son 10 Jan
Emile Hons reflects on the Deborah Gardner murder case 10 Jan
Judge Paul A. Bastine criticized for stalling Divorce 6 Jan
Volunteer Patricia D. Scatoloni dies in Macedonia 4 Jan
more top stories...

Coleman: Peace Corps mission and expansion Date: January 8 2005 No: 373 Coleman: Peace Corps mission and expansion
Senator Norm Coleman, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee that oversees the Peace Corps, says in an op-ed, A chance to show the world America at its best: "Even as that worthy agency mobilizes a "Crisis Corps" of former Peace Corps volunteers to assist with tsunami relief, I believe an opportunity exists to rededicate ourselves to the mission of the Peace Corps and its expansion to touch more and more lives."
RPCVs active in new session of Congress Date: January 8 2005 No: 374 RPCVs active in new session of Congress
In the new session of Congress that begins this week, RPCV Congressman Tom Petri has a proposal to bolster Social Security, Sam Farr supported the objection to the Electoral College count, James Walsh has asked for a waiver to continue heading a powerful Appropriations subcommittee, Chris Shays will no longer be vice chairman of the Budget Committee, and Mike Honda spoke on the floor honoring late Congressman Robert Matsui.
RPCVs and Peace Corps provide aid  Date: January 4 2005 No: 366 Latest: RPCVs and Peace Corps provide aid
Peace Corps made an appeal last week to all Thailand RPCV's to consider serving again through the Crisis Corps and more than 30 RPCVs have responded so far. RPCVs: Read what an RPCV-led NGO is doing about the crisis an how one RPCV is headed for Sri Lanka to help a nation he grew to love. Question: Is Crisis Corps going to send RPCVs to India, Indonesia and nine other countries that need help?
The World's Broken Promise to our Children Date: December 24 2004 No: 345 The World's Broken Promise to our Children
Former Director Carol Bellamy, now head of Unicef, says that the appalling conditions endured today by half the world's children speak to a broken promise. Too many governments are doing worse than neglecting children -- they are making deliberate, informed choices that hurt children. Read her op-ed and Unicef's report on the State of the World's Children 2005.
Changing of the Guard Date: December 15 2004 No: 330 Changing of the Guard
With Lloyd Pierson's departure, Marie Wheat has been named acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Operations responsible for the day-to-day management of the Peace Corps. Although Wheat is not an RPCV and has limited overseas experience, in her two years at the agency she has come to be respected as someone with good political skills who listens and delegates authority and we wish her the best in her new position.
Our debt to Bill Moyers Our debt to Bill Moyers
Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia."
RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack
RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.
Is Gaddi Leaving? Is Gaddi Leaving?
Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.
The Birth of the Peace Corps The Birth of the Peace Corps
UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Read the stories and leave your comments.






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Story Source: Toronto Star

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Speaking Out; Presidents - Bush

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