From today's speech:

[jenmito]

things Bush would never say:

Here at home, we will strengthen our defenses, but we will not succumb to a siege mentality that sacrifices the open society and liberties and values that we cherish as Americans, because great and proud nations don't hunker down and hide behind walls of suspicion and mistrust. That is exactly what our adversaries want, and so long as I am President, we will never hand them that victory. We will define the character of our country, not some band of small men intent on killing innocent men, women and children.

And in this cause, every one of us -- every American, every elected official -- can do our part. Instead of giving into cynicism and division, let's move forward with the confidence and optimism and unity that defines us as a people. For now is not a time for partisanship, it's a time for citizenship -- a time to come together and work together with the seriousness of purpose that our national security demands.

That's what it means to be strong in the face of violent extremism. That's how we will prevail in this fight. And that's how we will protect our country and pass it -- safer and stronger -- to the next generation.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-pres...

[Clio the Leo]

1. The only thing I would have added to those wonderful words...

"al qaeda was not trying to kill Democrats, Republicans or Independents on Christmas Day ... they tried to kill Americans. And not just Americans, but people from all over the world who admire all that's good about this nation."

[jenmito]

2. Oooh...

that IS good.

[Clio the Leo]

6. At some point I expect him to remind us all...

.... that there are no red states or blue states, just the UNITED STATES of America .... but he's saving it for the right moment.

[jenmito]

8. A half hour after you posted this...

Rachel said Obama went back to his "red states, blue states, united states" rhetoric in part of his speech. (She said it to emphasize how little the Repubs. care about bipartisanship or our country and attacked him anyway.)

[Clio the Leo]

11. Yep, but I meant he'll LITERALLY say it....

.... but you cant say it too soon or too often or it gets old. ...... But then again, he didn't say it during the entire 2008 campaign (that I can remember) so who knows?

[JuniperLea]

3. Good call!

I like how he is ignoring Cheney, et al, and just taking care of business best as he can with all the distraction and detraction. I don't recall ever seeing a President have to put up with so much. BushCo had teflon suits... nothing touched them or hindered them in any way.

I don't agree with him 100%, but I'm proud of him... and damn happy I voted for him too.

[jenmito]

4. Well, he really DID hit back at Cheney and his ilk when he said

the things I put in bold print (and more). And could you imagine if Clinton or Gore attacked Bush immediately after 9/11, the shoe bomber, etc.? They'd be called "un-American."

[JuniperLea]

5. Very true, all counts...

I'm just glad to see him say those things as a generic message we all need to hear, instead of wasting his time responding directly to their hogwash... no validation or acknowledgment to them at all... as it should be. They are moot and meaningless, and they need to STFU.

It sounded to me as if a lot of thought and consideration went into this, and I really appreciate the comprehensive plans to correct the situation. Bush never gave details of any kind.

[jenmito]

7. So am I...

I'm glad he hit back without naming names. And it was a message any rational person would agree with.

I think a lot of thought and consideration DID go into this, which partly explains why it was delayed by a few hours.

[Cha]

9. Thanks jenmito..I missed the

speech..so I'm just now catching up.

I know I sleep a lot better knowing President Obama is on this.

[jenmito]

14. No problem. Here's the video since you missed it:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/securi...

[ChicagoSuz219]

10. There have been terrorists acts...

...in England, Spain, Indonesia, etc., etc.

They don't just hate Americans. We're not their only targets. This is a worldwide problem. I don't think Cheney & the Republicans ever got that...

I had a weird thought today... President Obama going to visit the Xmas Day bomber to ask him why/how a kid from a (assumedly) good family, with many opportunities - school, travel, etc. would feel a need to align himself with Al Qaeda & buy into it to the point that he would die for their cause. If he could get into that mindset -- what drives these suicide bombers - specifically the 'loner' types - maybe he could figure out how to stop it.

Just a thought...

[jenmito]

15. True...

and that's a nice thought about Obama talking to the guy, but could you imagine the attacks he'd get about how he wants to understand them, not kill them? I know it's not right, but he'd definitely be attacked.

[ChicagoSuz219]

18. They attack him no matter what he says/does...

...may as well go for it!

[Hekate]

12. I have waited almost 9 years to hear those words from my president. Take that, Bunker Boy! nt

[jenmito]

16. Me, too. n/t

[ProgressOnTheMove]

13. Yes, it's always important to highlight we are in a very different world from the last 8 years...

We have it so good we can't squander it in 2010. Some folks are reaching for an ideal that is unattainable in a nation that has been programmed by a lot of media to act against their own self interest. What Pres. Obama is trying to achieve is to demonstrate government can work for people, even in a small way. Once that registers with people then, progress is on the move.

[jenmito]

17. "Once it registers"...

Don't worry. It WILL register. Especially when people see the alternative in '12.