Start of the American Jihad

I have been thinking about the Bush inaugural speech and what it means.

To me it marks the official opening of the American jihad. That is it is not just a war against evil doers. It is a war for something.

The master stroke by Bush is to declare freedom not just an American ideal, or a Western ideal, but a universal ideal. Who can argue against that? At least in America Bush has co-opted his enemies and given hope to the oppressed of the world. All that is left is the fight over methods.

Natan Scharansky talks about how much Regan's speech on liberty and the Evil Empire meant to him and other freedom lovers in Soviet prisons.

I think this speech to the wider world will have a similar effect. Bush said in his speech:

When the Declaration of Independence was first read in public and the Liberty Bell was sounded in celebration, a witness said, "It rang as if it meant something." In our time it means something still. America, in this young century, proclaims liberty throughout all the world, and to all the inhabitants thereof. Renewed in our strength - tested, but not weary - we are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom.

I also note that the actual words on the Liberty Bell are:

"Proclaim liberty throught the land and to all the inhabitants there of."

I suggested a change in the wording over at Winds of Change on 25 Nov. 2003. Here is what I suggested:

I remember the Liberty Bell. "Proclaim liberty throught the land and to all the inhabitants there of." I would add just one thing to it: "Proclaim liberty throught the lands and to all the inhabitants there of." Good words to live by. Good words to die for. Good words to pay for. Being free men here we will find a way or make one.

Do you suppose Bush is a Simon/Winds of Change fan? I hope so.