Bush never stipulates that the rest of the world must \u201cbecome like America\u201d in so many words. How could he? The whole point of his rhetoric was to assure himself that he was at the helm of the gigantic killing machine that is the United States military not merely to protect and promote American interests, but in order to bring the blessings of liberty to every corner of the earth. The final paragraph of Bush\u2019s introduction reveals the self-deception:<\/p>\n
Freedom is the non-negotiable demand of human dignity; the birthright of every person\u2014in every civilization. Throughout history, freedom has been threatened by war and terror; it has been challenged by the clashing wills of powerful states and evil designs of tyrants; and it has been tested by widespread poverty and disease. Today, humanity holds in its hands the opportunity to further freedom\u2019s \u00adtriumph over all these foes. The United States welcomes our responsibility to lead in this great mission.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
One is hard pressed to imagine a more utopian vision\u2014freedom\u2019s triumph over all its foes! But Bush was president of the United States, not of the world. Moreover, this document and its urgency stemmed from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. There can be no doubt that Bush was concerned for the weal and woe of Americans.<\/p>\n
W<\/span>e can substitute\u00a0America<\/em>\u00a0or\u00a0American interests<\/em>\u00a0for the key word \u201cfreedom\u201d in this final paragraph without altering the strategic implications. Indeed, if we make these substitutions, Bush\u2019s words become more faithful to events. Here is my rendering in that spirit:<\/p>\n
Being American\u00a0is the non-negotiable demand of human dignity; the birthright of every person\u2014in every civilization. Throughout history,\u00a0<\/em>American interests\u00a0have been threatened by war and terror; they have been challenged by clashing wills of powerful states and evil designs of tyrants. . . . Today, humanity holds in its hands the opportunity to further\u00a0<\/em>America\u2019s\u00a0triumph over all these foes. The United States welcomes our responsibility to lead in this great mission.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
To speak about America in this way seems rather grandiose. But in truth, both versions, Bush\u2019s actual words and my rendition, border on the delusional. This is perhaps to be expected. Baby Boomers were intoxicated by the fusion of hard responsibilities with the most exalted moral idealism. An intoxicated person has blurred vision and a tenuous grasp on reality, and he often makes bad judgments.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nCursed by the Boomers by R. R. Reno | Articles | First Things https:\/\/t.co\/qLylAU4XXl<\/a><\/p>\n
— Allen Mendenhall (@allenmendenhall) February 14, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n