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Bush on Fourth: Nation 'still at war'President cites America's 'active involvement' around world
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (CNN) -- President Bush on Friday celebrated the 227th anniversary of the nation's independence by saluting the efforts of U.S. military men and women and declaring the country "still at war." "We are on the offensive against terrorists and all who support them," Bush said, cheered heartily by the Air Force members and their families at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base outside Dayton. "We will not permit any terrorist group or outlaw regime to threaten us with weapons of mass murder. We will act, whenever it is necessary, to protect the lives and the liberty of the American people." Dressed casually in a blue, open-collar shirt, the president offered a strong defense of U.S. military action since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. He has cast the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq as part of that effort, saying deposed leader Saddam Hussein harbored weapons of mass destruction and posed a threat to the world. "The United States will not stand by and wait for another attack or trust in the restraint and good intentions of evil men," Bush said. Bush's defense of his foreign policy comes as some lawmakers and critics question the continued U.S. presence in Iraq and as U.S. forces face deadly attacks there from militants. "Our nation is still at war," Bush said. "The enemies of America plot against us. And many of our fellow citizens are still serving and sacrificing and facing danger in distant places." The president touted U.S. efforts to combat AIDS throughout the world and bring freedom to what he described as oppressed people. He leaves Monday for a five-day trip to Africa, his first to the continent as president. "Without America's active involvement in the world, the ambitions of tyrants would go unopposed, and millions would live at mercy of terrorists," Bush said. "With Americans' active involvement in the world, tyrants learn to fear, and terrorists are on the run." Bush made no mention of another area of turmoil -- Liberia. The president, according to White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, is sending an assessment team to the region to work with Liberia's West African neighbors and U.N. officials to determine "what is needed to establish stability" to the war-torn nation. On Friday, Liberian President Charles Taylor announced he would step down once international peacekeeping forces are in place.(Full story) Bush's visit to Ohio was his 10th to the state as president. The Midwestern state figures to be a key battleground in the 2004 campaign. Bush last visited Ohio in April for some high-profile lobbying to pressure fellow Republican Sen. George Voinovich to support his proposed tax cuts. Voinovich voted for the tax cuts after they were limited to no more than $350 billion over 10 years. On Friday, Bush greeted Voinovich and Sen. Mike DeWine, also a Republican, as "great United States senators."
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