President Bush's Second Inaugural Address

“For a half-century, America defended our own freedom by standing watch on distant borders. After the shipwreck of communism came years of relative quiet, years of repose, years of sabbatical -- and then there came a day of fire.

We have seen our vulnerability, and we have seen its deepest source. For as long as whole regions of the world simmer in resentment and tyranny -- prone to ideologies that feed hatred and excuse murder -- violence will gather, and multiply in destructive power, and cross the most defended borders and raise a mortal threat.”

An effigy of US President Bush holds a cross as a weapon on a carnival float during the traditional Rose Monday parade in Dusseldorf, Germany.

President Bush’s inauguration speech is a microcosm of the tragedy we're living today. President Bush and his fundamentalist cronies believe life is inherently "evil" and only by violent vigilance can the "good" people survive the vicissitudes of the evil-doers.

Men use to speak of "conquering the wilderness" until John Muir came along, wrote "Gentle Wilderness" and started the environmental movement. We need a similar transformation today. Violence is not the solution. What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding?

@Copyright 2005 Howard Fallon