Shelly's Space Eisenhower "I Shall Go To Korea " Speech
When McCain accuses Obama of surrender, we should all remember that Ike, a Republican, presented a similar promise to end the Korean War and won by a landslide in 1952. Ike arguably was one of our greatest war leaders and a 5 star General. The Korean War ended in 1953 after truce negotiations with Communist China, a country we did not recognize.
Dwight D. Eisenhower's ''I Shall Go to Korea'' Speech, 1952
October 25, 1952
In this anxious autumn for America, one fact looms above all others in our people's mind. One tragedy challenges all men dedicated to the work of peace. One word shouts denial to those who foolishly pretend that ours is not a nation at war.
This fact, this tragedy, this word is: Korea. A small country, Korea has been, for more than two years, the battleground for the costliest foreign war our nation has fought, excepting the two world wars. It shall been the burial ground for 20,000 America dead. It has been another historic field of honor for the valor and skill and tenacity of American soldiers. All these things it has been-and yet one thing more. It has been a symbol-a telling symbol-of the foreign policy of our nation.
It has been a sign-a warning sign-of the way the Administration has conducted our world affairs. It has been a measure-a damning measure-of the quality of leadership we have been given.........
The first task of a new Administration will be to review and re-examine every course of action open to us with one goal in view: To bring the Korean war to an early and honorable end. This is my pledge to the American people.
For this task a wholly new Administration is necessary. The reason for this is simple. The old Administration cannot be expected to repair what it failed to prevent. Where will a new Administration begin?
It will begin with its President taking a simple, firm resolution. The resolution will be: To forego the diversions of politics and to concentrate on the job of ending the Korean war-until that job is honorably done. That job requires a personal trip to Korea. I shall make that trip. Only in that way could I learn how best to serve the American people in the cause of peace.
I shall go to Korea. That is my second pledge to the American people. Carefully, then, this new Administration, unfettered by past decisions and inherited mistakes, can review every factor-military, political and psychological-to be mobilized in speeding a just peace.
novamradio.com
Sheldon Drobny was the co-founder of Nova M radio and Air America Radio. He has supported many philanthropic causes and is currently involved in purchasing radio stations for liberal talk radio with his new company, Nova M Radio, Inc. Mr. Drobny specializes in business and tax matters and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court as a non-attorney. Less than 200 non-attorneys have been admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court since its inception in 1942. Mr. Drobny received a Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting from Roosevelt University in Chicago and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, an honorary fraternity recognizing acadamic achievement in colleges of business administration.
Thank you for your having the insight to bring up Eisenhower at this juncture. Eisenhower was among the best presidents in US history and perhaps the most underrated of the 20th century.
We could do far worse than reviewing with new interest his record, which would provide many examples of how we might better manage the mess we find ourselves in these days. This article is a fine step toward such a reassessment.
by
bhwhite (9 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 22 comments)
on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 5:23:06 AM
It's a great speech, and I recommend reading the full text.
He also denounces anyone who claims to have an easy answer and a specific ending date - a claim made by some other candidates like Richardson, Kucinich, and Paul on the other side, but carefully avoided by Obama, Clinton, and Edwards.
"Neither glib promises nor glib excuses will serve. They would be no better than the glib prophecies that brought us to this pass. To these questions there are two false answers-both equally false. The first would be any answer that dishonestly pledged an end to war in Korea by any imminent, exact date. Such a pledge would brand its speaker as a deceiver. The second and equally false answer declares that nothing can be done to speed a secure peace. It dares to tell us that we, the strongest nation in the history of freedom, can only wait-and wait-and wait. Such a statement brands its speaker as a defeatist."
by
Tony Correlli (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 2 comments)
on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 1:11:14 PM
3 comments
How would you rate this?
You must be logged in (if signed up) to do ratings.
It's free to signup! And easy. And takes just a minute or two....
Must Read (
Well Said (
News (
Touching (
Funny (
Supported (
Interesting (
Inspiring (
Valuable (
