Das folgende Transcript der Thanksgiving-Ansprache des US Präsidenten
im Original. Die eingeflochtenen Kommentare sind nachträglich
hinzugefügt:
PRESIDENT BUSH:
Good morning. This week our Nation celebrated Thanksgiving. American
families and friends gathered together to express gratitude for all that
we have been given.
[ Erwartet Bush Dankbarkeit für die annähernd 4000
Toten und 20.000 Verstümmelten des Irakkriegs? ]
We give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy.
[ Die verbleibenden Freiheiten! Verhaftungen ohne
richterlichen Beschluss, Abhören von Telefonaten, Abfangen von Mails
oder Internetverkehr ohne richterlichen Beschluss: Nur einige der
massiven Einschnitte, die die Freiheit der US Bürger beschränkt. ]
We give thanks for the loved ones who enrich our lives. And we give
thanks for the many gifts that come from this prosperous land.
[ Die Gaben dieses Landes. Bush weiß, warum er von den Gaben des Landes
spricht. Die Gaben der Regierung fliessen in Richtung EXXON und
Halliburton. ]
Thanksgiving is a time when we acknowledge that all of these things, and
life itself, come not from the hand of man, but from Almighty God.
[ Nein, mein lieber bigotter Präsident, diese Gaben kommen keineswegs
vom lieben Herrgott, sondern vom 43.ten Präsidenten der USA
höchstpersönlich.]
Earlier this week, I visited Berkeley Plantation in Virginia. The story
of this historic setting goes back nearly four centuries to another day
of thanks. In 1619, a band of 38 settlers departed Bristol, England for
Berkeley. At the end of their long voyage, the men reviewed their orders
from home. The orders said, quote, “The day of our ship’s arrival …
shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of Thanksgiving to
Almighty God.” In response, the men fell to their knees in prayer. And
with this humble act of faith, the settlers celebrated their first
Thanksgiving in the New World.
Berkeley’s settlers remind us that giving thanks has been an American
tradition from the beginning. At this time of year, we also remember the
Pilgrims at Plymouth, who gave thanks after their first harvest in New
England.
[ Die Bürger der USA würden gerne ihr Thanksgiving in derselben Weise
feiern, wie es die Pilgrims taten: im Wissen, dass sie aus der
Umklammerung eines ungerechten Regenten entkommen sind und die Früchte
ihrer Arbeit selbst geniessen können. Statt dessen sind sie in derselben misslichen Lage wie die Pilgrims vor ihrer Abreise: Ihre Arbeit ist ein Fron, abgeführt an
einen milliardenfressenden Regierungs-Moloch. ]
We remember George Washington, who led his men in thanksgiving during
the American Revolution. We remember Abraham Lincoln, who revived the
Thanksgiving tradition in the midst of a terrible civil war.
[ Shame to you, Mr. Bush, to even mention these names. ]
Throughout our history, Americans have always taken time to give thanks
for all those whose sacrifices protect and strengthen our Nation. We
continue that tradition today — and we give thanks for a new generation
of patriots who are defending our liberty around the world. We are
grateful to all our men and women in uniform who are spending this
holiday weekend far from their families. We keep them in our thoughts
and prayers. And we especially remember those who have given their lives
in our Nation’s defense.
[ Die Bevölkerung wird die Namen der Gefallenen in Ehren halten, ganz
ohne Ihre Ermunterung. Sie wird sich erinnern an den, der ihnen ihre
Angehörigen genommen hat. ]
One of these brave Americans was Lieutenant Michael Murphy. In June
2005, this officer gave his life in defense of his fellow Navy SEALs.
Michael was conducting surveillance on a mountain ridge in Afghanistan,
when his four-man SEAL team was surrounded by a much larger enemy force.
Their only escape was down the side of the mountain. The SEALs launched
a valiant counterattack while cascading from cliff to cliff. But as the
enemy closed in, Michael recognized that the survival of his men
depended on calling back to base for reinforcements.
With complete disregard for his own life, Michael Murphy moved into a
clearing where he could get a signal. As he made the call, Michael fell
under heavy fire. Though severely wounded, he said “thank you” before
signing off, and returned to the fight. His heroism cost him his life —
and earned him our Nation’s highest decoration for valor, the Medal of
Honor. This weekend, we give thanks for the blessings of young Americans
like Lieutenant Michael Murphy, who risk their own lives to keep us safe.
[ Ehrenhafter Tod für einen lügenhaften Präsidenten. Schande. Schande.
Schande. ]
We’re also blessed by the many other Americans who serve a cause larger
than themselves. Each day our Nation’s police and firefighters and
emergency responders and faith-based and community volunteers dedicate
their time to serving others. While we were enjoying our Thanksgiving
turkeys, tens of thousands of these men and women were on the job —
keeping their fellow citizens safe and bringing hope and compassion to
our brothers and sisters in need. And their sacrifice reminds us that
the true strength of our Nation is the goodness and decency of our people.
[ You, mr. president, sacrified this sacrifice for your very own
infamous purpose. ]
Since America’s first Thanksgiving, we have changed in many ways. Our
population has grown. Our people have prospered. And we have become a
great beacon of hope and freedom for millions around the world. Despite
these changes, the source of all our blessings remains the same. We are
grateful to the Author of Life who blessed our Nation’s first days, who
strengthened America in times of trial and war, and who watches over us
today.
[ Präsident Bush erdreistet sich bis zum bitteren Ende seiner Tage, den
Namen Gottes anzuführen zur Rechtfertigung des Zustandes der Nation. ]
Thank you for listening.
[ We all stopped listening for a long time. Get out of our way, for
christ’s sake. ]
— Schlesinger
