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On September 11th, 1991 George. W. H. Bush addressed a joint congress session. Like most political leaders, the speech was carefully tailored by Bush to achieve some things from the audience. At that time, we may not have been in a position to critically judge the intentions of Bush while addressing the Congress. Infact, we may have credited him with great leadership skills including effective communication that enabled him to unite political foes and allies at a time that they were required to act from a single purpose. However, a closer look at the speech putting into consideration the consequences of the gulf war on the United States and the global community may give us a different and clear picture of the events at the time. (Bush)
After recapping on the worrying trend of events in the Middle East following Iraq’s annexation of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein during his speech, Bush begins by reminding the congress of the important role played by the United States Military in protecting American interests. He emphasizes the fact that these servicemen are willing and ready to make the necessary sacrifices to perform their duties. He even goes as far as giving an example by referring to a letter written by one of the United States servicemen fighting in the gulf region-Wade Merritt. In a letter written to his family back at home, Wade says that despite his worries and hope for peace, he is proud and willing to fight against the aggression and intrusion of Saddam. (Bush)
He then concentrates on the general role that should be played by the United States both domestically and internationally to use and maintain its strength and power. The correlation between these two roles is emphasized. Consequently, the United States is bound to lose greatly including economically by failing to act in the Middle East. This is especially because Iraq could control most of the world’s oil resources. The possibility of preventing a new world order that promotes peace is posed by Iraq’s aggression and annexation of a smaller state-Kuwait, which could promote this behavior in the world. Related to this, Bush reminds the congress that Iraq poses a threat to world peace since it could acquire dangerous weapons including the dreaded nuclear arsenal and could encourage the proliferation of the same around the world. (Bush)
He continues with his speech by calling upon everyone including all members of the congress to make all required sacrifices like the ones made by the United States Military to guard American interests and beliefs. In this regard, he believes that the global society is united to check aggression. He claims to have the support of most nations in the world including international body’s’ and the United Nations. The support of Russia, a considered adversary of the United States is especially considered important. In these circumstances, America has the capacity and sheer will to ensure that Saddam Hussein does not succeed. He seems to be saying that the United States has the moral support of the international Community including the United Nations and the Arabic world to Check Saddam’s aggression. (Bush)
Bush goes ahead to point out ways in which the gulf war has and will affect the American and the global economy. To counter these effects, he suggests adaptive measures that would minimize these effects. Some of these measures include; boosting their domestic supply of oil, enhancing other methods of energy supply including nuclear energy and making decisions and laws that would prevent greedy individuals from profiteering during the gulf war. He also recommends tax measures that would raise revenue for the government during this warfare but ensure that the economy does not suffer. (Bush)
He concludes by urging the congress to make immediate important decisions that would cushion the American people and the economy against the effects of the gulf war. First, he urges house members to cooperate and enact tax measures that would stimulate economic growth. Secondly, he urges the house to enact a military defensive program that would enable the United States to deal more effectively with regional conflicts. Thirdly, he urges the congress to implement measures that would see an increase in energy production and especially to reduce dependence on foreign oil. Fourthly, he calls upon the congress to enact a five year program that would see a reduction of the projected debt by about a half trillion dollars. He says that Americans will suffer a great deal if the congress fails on its part to implement this deficit reduction program. He completes his speech by emphasizing on the important task ahead in the Gulf region which requires every American including all representatives in the house irrespective of their parties to come together and unite. (Bush)
The immediate audience of this speech was congress members while the general audience was the American public. The global community was also keen to follow developments at this time during the gulf war. The legislative arm of the government-congress plays an important role in the functioning of the United States government. The executive including the president cannot work alone in running the government. Bush targeted this audience to achieve his purposes. The Congress consists of members from both the republican and the Democratic Party. Some congress members especially those from he opposition democratic party at the time were reluctant to implement some legislation that was needed by the bush administration at the time. This is especially because they were opposed to the gulf war from the first place. On the other hand, the general American public was getting more concerned following economic and other effects that were increasingly felt during this war. It was therefore necessary for bush to assure the public and convince the congress. (Sifry & Cerf)
The great emphasis on the great, braver, feared and sacrificing military of the United States by Bush at the beginning of his speech is meant to downplay fears and consequences that would arise from the gulf war. He seems to be saying that the United States has the strongest war machine in the world that would always win in any warfare. To those concerned about casualties from the war, he says to them that these are willing servicemen who are ready to sacrifice their interests and even their lives to protect the interests of the Americans. To those who are not convinced that the war is necessary, he tells them that America has an obligation to guard against aggression and that all Americans should take pride due to their willingness and capacity to promote peace. Of course, he takes care to address his audience in a way that promotes their “pride” and “dignity”. He uses words like “thank you very much”, “distinguished guests” and “friends” to achieve this. Remember the main purpose of bush in addressing his audience is to get support for the ongoing gulf war from the congress that would have to pass important legislations that should see America through this war and the support of the American public that vote has the primary role of choosing leaders through the ballot. He especially needs the congress to pass a program that would cut deficit and protect the economy. (Sifry & Cerf)
It is interesting that Bush, in efforts to convince his audience that the American Servicemen are willing and ready to fight the gulf war bush quotes a letter of one serviceman who was stationed at Saudi Arabia. This is just a single person who may not represent the views of the American military men and women. He doesn’t seem to be actively involved in the warfare yet at the time hence he may not have a clearer picture on the immediate circumstances. Arabic countries and some other countries could have been supporting the American military in Egypt for other purposes like guarding trade ties for example. Bush is therefore wrong to assume that this support extends to their moral beliefs on the gulf conflict. Meeting with the Russian leader at the time who expressed concern about circumstances in the gulf region does not mean that Russia supported immediate military intervention. His courage to go ahead and even state that the United Nations supports Military immediate military intervention can only be described as a desperate attempt to show that Americans had the required moral support from the global community to be involved in the gulf conflict. Moreover, we cannot say that the views expressed by Margaret Thatcher, the British prime minister at the time, represented Britain views on how the hostage problem was to be handled. (Robert)
To achieve his objectives, Bush misleads his audience in many ways. He tells them about how the American economy was likely to suffer if it did not intervene and prevent Iraq annexing Kuwait, something that could put it in a position to control most of the world oil resources. A careful study will however show that America’s direct involvement would obviously lead to sky rocketing of oil prices affecting many economies in the world negatively including that of the United States. I do not find it necessary to connect between Iraq annexation of Kuwait and its acquisition of nuclear weapons. This is because there are monitoring systems that would at least reveal if a country is on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons. (Sifry & Cerf)
Moreover, bush misleads his audience by insisting that American military intervention in the gulf region was the only way to check Iraq’s aggression. Other avenues and methods were also available at the time that could have enhanced cooperation of world countries, minimized casualties, promoted world peace and protected the global economy. This was only achievable if America could have actively involved other countries, especially Iraq’s neighbors in this conflict. We know from history that contrary to Bush statements during this address, a good number of United States allies were not directly involved in the planning, strategy development and active combat during the gulf war. Besides, this conflict could have more than anything else precipitated events that led to rising evils like terrorism and instability of some countries. The United States led attacks against Iraq which were carried out later on have arguably weakened the American economy apart from weakening the U.S capacity to play a vital role in current world affairs. (Robert)
During his speech, Bush plays an active role to gain the support of the Congress and the American Public. According to him, events in the Middle East at the time were of prime importance. This is because so much was at stake including a New World Order that would see a peaceful global society live together. Considering this, it was necessary for the United States to play a critical and vital role in this warfare. He seems to insist on the urgency, persistence and commitment desirable to solve the gulf conflict. (Bush)
Bush speaks to his audience in a sense of authority indirectly. He does not put his immediate audience in a position where they can make independent judgments on the immediate circumstances. Rather, he carefully takes them through a speech that is highly tailored to convince the congress to pass some legislations including the five year program to cut debts by a half trillion dollars. Consider what he says about this program; “But now it’s time to produce. I hope we can work out a responsible plan. But with or without agreement from the budget summit, I ask both Houses of the Congress to allow a straight up-or-down vote on a complete $500-billion deficit reduction package not later than September 28. If the Congress cannot get me a budget, then Americans will have to face a tough, mandated sequester. I’m hopeful, in fact, I’m confident that the Congress will do what it should. And I can assure you that we in the executive branch will do our part.” (Bush) I find this to be more authoritative rather than persuasive.
In his speech, Bush uses a language that endears him as someone who is very good at communicating to this kind of people. He uses poetic language to drive some points home. For example, he talks about the condition of servicemen and women in the gulf region using the following words; “Once again, Americans have stepped forward to share a tearful goodbye with their families before leaving for a strange and distant shore. At this very moment, they serve together with Arabs, Europeans, Asians, and Africans in defense of principle and the dream of a new world order. That’s why they sweat and toil in the sand and the heat and the sun. If they can come together under such adversity, if old adversaries like the Soviet Union and the United States can work in common cause, then surely we who are so fortunate to be in this great Chamber—Democrats, Republicans, liberals, conservatives—can come together to fulfill our responsibilities here”. (Bush)
As expected, the language used is official displaying someone who is well versed in English words. However it is a typical of many political speeches which are more predictable in many respects. For example, these speeches normally start by a kind of dignified greetings and normally end with the words “God bless America”. It is like a cycle of conversation between the general public and the elected mass that like many other politicians. Bush adapts to these kinds of speeches to achieve certain goals. He would be judged negatively by the elected and educated congress besides the general public by failing to show prowess in the flawless and idiomatic English language. Secondly, the general acknowledgment of God through the words God bless America is tailored by the hypocrisy of American leaders to appeal to Christians and justify their actions which would not necessarily agree with the expectations of most or all religions in the country. (Blanford)
To focus the attention of the audience on some points, Bush uses repetitions of words to achieve this. For example: “it would be a signal to actual and potential despots around the world. America and the world must defend common vital interests—and we will. America and the world must support the rule of law—and we will. America and the world must stand up to aggression—and we will. And one thing more: In the pursuit of these goals America will not be intimidated.” (Bush) In this case “and we will” shows the resolution of the government to tackle the issues at hand. (Smith)
Bush employed various means including methods discussed above to achieve a number of things. He had stood before a congress that had the power and capacity to refuse to pass some legislation that was necessary. This immediate audience could also desist in giving bush the necessary support and unity that was required by the government at this time of crisis. Outside the congress, a critical audience that was of diverse opinion needed to be assured that everything was in order. Portions of this populace could be lacking important information that could hinder their judgment. In the congress, this speech could be enough to convince it to pass the required legislations within the needed time frame. For the general public, this speech could be enough to convince it that they were doing the right thing as a country by involvement in the gulf conflict and that their leaders were representing them as required. (Robert)
Represented in the congress by representatives, the general public in the United States is very diverse. It consists of people from different race groups including whites, blacks, Hispanics and others. The same will apply if one is to look at the American society along religious lines and beliefs. Although these are united by the same government and a general trend of behavior influenced by the media and general culture, they can have very divergent opinions when it comes to some issues. Obviously, it would be unwise for Bush to debate with this public about important issues in the gulf region. This is why he employed an indirectly authoritative speech while addressing his audience. To implement important programs, the congress needed to be pushed. (Bush)
What are the immediate issues at hand to the general public? These must have been issues that directly affected the American public. Concerning the economy, Bush assures the public by pushing for a program to reduce deficit and encourage economic growth besides promoting alternative energy supply that would reduce reliance on foreign oil. Of course, this was more included in the speech than implemented at the practical level. He encouraged the public to pride in the American sacrifice in the gulf region to a public that was concerned about the conditions of their family members and friends during the warfare. One thing that everyone knows and one that everyone can exploit is the pride and nationalism of the American people This can be exploited from all avenues available including the news media, movie entertainment or even lobby groups to start a series of actions that would propagate one’s own agenda. (Sifry, & Cerf)
The gulf war was obviously a more complex issue that one may not be in a position to understand. America could not play a passive role here being a superpower whose leaders understood what was at stake. The Impact of an aggressive Iraq that is annexing other countries Including Kuwait on the American economy and capacity for example could be enormous. This kind of information may not be fully grasped by ordinary individuals. This explains Bush may have given the public and even a portion of the leadership a role of watching and helping from the sidelines. (Blanford)
Conclusion
Leadership is not just about making the “right” decisions but convincing people that you are making the “right” decisions. While Bush may be judged from this speech on how he misled the American public, we will always marvel at the tactics he employed under the circumstances. He had a difficult rhetoric problem at the time that he tackled effectively through his speech to the joint Congress at the time among other avenues that he used.
Works Cited
Blanford, Nicholas, Kuwait hopes for answers on its Gulf War POWs, Christian Science Monitor, 2001. Print.
Bush, W.H.George. Address Before a Joint Session of Congress. 1990.Web.
Robert, Fisk, The Great War for Civilisation; the Conquest of the Middle East. Fourth Estate, 2005. Print.
Sifry, Micah; & Cerf, Christopher. The Gulf War Reader. New York, NY: Random House, 1991.Print
Smith, Jean. Edward. George Bush’s War. New York: Henry Holt, 1992. Print.
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