(2004-07-05) — Democrats gathering in Boston July 26-29 for their quadrennial convention will formally adopt a resolution regarding the war on terror excerpted from speeches by former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt during World War II.
“When we reviewed FDR’s beliefs about that war, we realized that it was applicable to the terroristic enemies and dictators America faces today,” said Democrat National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe. “After the convention endorses these ideas, John Kerry will give a barn-burner speech defending the official Democrat war-on-terror philosophy.”
Here is the text of the proposed DNC resolution, taken from Mr. Roosevelt’s statements…
“We are fighting today for security, for progress and for peace, not only for ourselves, but for all men, not only for one generation but for all generations. We are fighting to cleanse the world of ancient evils, ancient ills. We are fighting as our fathers have fought, to uphold the doctrine that all men are equal in the sight of God.”
(Message to Congress January 6, 1942)
“Together with other free peoples, we are now fighting to maintain our right to live among our world neighbors in freedom and in common decency, without fear of assault.”
(Radio address December 9, 1941)
“We are fighting to free the people of this earth from…the most ruthless, the most savage enemy the world has ever seen. We are dedicating all that we have and all that we are to the combat. We will not stop this side of victory.”
(Presidential release, May 9, 1943)
“It is useless to win battles if the cause for which we fought these battles is lost. It is useless to win a war unless it stays won. We, therefore, fight for the restoration and perpetuation of faith and hope throughout the world.”
(Radio address October 12, 1942)
“Free men are fighting desperately-and dying-to preserve the liberties and the decencies of modern civilization.”
(Statement July 4, 1942)
“We are not a warlike people. We have never sought glory as a nation of warriors. We are not interested in aggression. We are not interested-as the dictators are-in looting. We do not covet one square inch of the territory of any other nation. Our vast effort, and the unity of purpose which inspires that effort are due solely to our recognition of the fact that our fundamental rights are threatened…These rights were established by our forefathers on the field of battle. They have been defended-at great cost but with great success-on the field of battle, here on our own soil, and in foreign lands, and on all the seas all over the world. There has never been a moment in our history when Americans were not ready to stand up as free men and fight for their rights.”
(Radio address from Hyde Park Library, September 1, 1941)
“The overwhelming majority of all the people in the world want peace…not just a truce, not just an armistice-but peace that is as strongly enforced and as durable as mortal can make it…American boys are fighting today…and the thing for which they struggle is best symbolized by the message that came out of Bethlehem.”
(Radio address December 24, 1943)
“The essence of our struggle is that men shall be free.”
(November 6, 1941)
