

Al Neuharth: State of the Union recalls olden days

5:18 PM, Feb. 14, 2013  |  Comments
  • Filed Under

President Obama's State of the Union Address on Tuesday night brought back memories of other presidential inaugural or farewell speeches.

Historically, the most memorable and most significant:

? George Washington

? Franklin Roosevelt

? Dwight Eisenhower

Washington, in his first inaugural address in 1789, said that "the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people."

FDR, in his first inaugural address in 1933, tried to assure us that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Ike, in his farewell address in 1961, warned of the "military-industrial complex" that fuels wars.

Ike's goodbye may be the best advice any former president has given us.

Think about this:

? Why did we lose so many military lives in Korea?

? Why did we lose so many military lives in Vietnam?

? Why did we lose so many military lives in Iraq?

? Of course, we should go after any opponents that try to get us.

? Osama bin Laden and his gang in Afghanistan after 9/11. Yes.

? Iraq? No.

North Korea? Not any time soon. This week's nuclear test following a successful satellite launch increases the threat, but it's still distant.

Obama and his team really need to exhaust all other options before we sacrifice more military men and women anywhere.


Sign up for your All Access Subscription

Download our apps!

Stay connected with FLORIDA TODAY's apps: iPhone app | Android app






Join the conversation

Connect with us on Facebook
Choose from 16 topics to follow
Follow us on Twitter
Follow our latest activity
Send a letter
Share your opinion with a letter to the editor