'W'

We know that dictators are quick to choose aggression, while free nations strive to resolve differences in peace. We know that oppressive governments support terror, while free governments fight the terrorists in their midst. We know that free peoples embrace progress and life, instead of becoming the recruits for murderous ideologies.

George W. Bush, Speech to UN General Assembly, September 21, 2004
43rd President of US (1946 - )

In this speech, George Bush generalizes dictatorship and freedom with the use of, or using restraint when talking about aggression. In the first line, he says dictators are quick to use aggression but free nations use peace. This is contrictary of his own presidential campaign which was quick to respond to September 11 by invading Afghanistan and eventually and questionably, Iraq. Although the war in Afghanistan was more justified, the war in Iraq could best be described as a ‘witch hunt’ and our swift aggression towards Iraq, would not be considered the practices of a free nation, at least according to this quote. It is wrong to automatically relate aggression with a dictator and peace with a free nation. Although those things may exist for some countries, that is not true of all. He also relates free governments to fighting “terrorist in their midst.” What describes a terrorist? Does he mean foreign or domestic? Even though America is a free nation, we have domestic terrorists that try to scare and terrorize citizens of their own country. Does this mean we aren’t free? Does this mean if we use aggression against these terrorist, America will be considered a dictatorship? Not every free nation needs to prove its freedom by invading other countries to fight terrorism. In fact, governments and citizens around the world opposed our involvement in Iraq saying that we were not justified to be there.