A Lost Speech: Possibilities
Possibilities
Publication date: 2021-09-11
A speech that could have been written and delivered by USA President Biden on 9/11.
Dear fellow citizens, during the last 20 years we have seen how our response to 9/11 has changed our society and that of many other nations. It is time for reckoning.
I recently instructed our uniformed military to withdraw from Afghanistan. This has generated some negative responses, which are to be expected. History will be my judge, and I am at peace with whatever that judgment will be.
On this auspicious anniversary, our reckoning needs to be taken with seriousness and honesty. We have invested trillions of dollars in combating terrorism both abroad and at home, and we have been successful in preventing further terrorist atrocities at home. However, terrorism abroad has increased markedly. This increase must be seen as a response to our policies. Invading and occupying countries does not produce peace or reduce terrorism. Academicians world wide have been studying this topic for these two decades and their detailed analyses lead to this stark conclusion.
I call on our nation and its political leadership in Congress to help us redirect our industrial, economic, social and foreign policies.
I will do what I can, but only this great nation can recreate can itself. I call on our peoples Congress to:
Overturn the AUMF and reclaim its responsibility for declarations of war
Gradually reduce funding for the DoD focusing specifically on waste. Existing auditory and compliance mechanisms should be reinforced and incentives created for this process from the funds obtained.
Provide additional funding to our diplomatic service
Remove Sec. 104A. [50 U.S.C. §403-4a] part (d) sub-section 4 from the National Security Act and re-enact the Office of Strategic Services such that the premier branch of our intelligence agencies is again removed from operations and the OSS operates under a separate budget.
While our Congress is, as it should be, the most influential governmental arm of our republic, it cannot act alone. Under my executive mandate I commit to the following:
a phased withdrawal from Syria and a phased recasting of advise and assist missions to advise only.
the creation of a new Inspector General on Classification of Records
the creation of a new medal of commendation to be awarded for consistent excellence in identification of misuse of government funds. The first recipient shall be the Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction.
the dropping of all charges against all persons charged under the Espionage Act who have revealed governmental misconduct, and a formal pardon for all those already convicted who meet this bar. Our Congress could well assist by passing the already introduced legislation to create a public interest defence.
a re-write of the National Defense Strategy policy paper in which the term Global Power Competition is replaced by Global Purposeful Cooperation.
[national anthem starts playing in the background, slowly building]
Just as our Congress cannot act alone, our nation must also collaborate with international institutions and other nations around the world for the common benefit of the peoples of the world. We need also care for our magnificent planet. As a former president said, "We all breathe the same air". We also drink the same water.
As you look upon your loved, know that your sisters and brothers world wide do the same.
We are of one.
Culture
The Highwaymen - City of New Orleans (American Outlaws: Live at Nassau Coliseum, 1990), Vevo, Youtube