Bush's speeches rarely impress me, but here's an inspiring excerpt that Kerry would never attempt to utter, even if it were just for show:America needs your good heart in meeting a basic responsibility: to protect and honor life in all its seasons. A compassionate society shows a special concern for those at the beginning of life, those at the end of life, and those who struggle in life with disabilities. Most of you, at some point, will be called to care for a dying relative, or a frail and aging parent, or someone close to you with a terrible sickness. Often, in their pain and loneliness, they will feel they are nothing but a burden, and worthless to the world. And you will need to show them that's not true. Our worth as human beings does not depend on our health, or productivity, or independence, or any other shifting value the world might apply. Our worth comes from bearing the image of our Maker. (Applause.) And the hardest times of your life may be the most important, when you bear witness to this truth by your sacrifice and loving kindness to another soul. This commitment to the value of every life also challenges our society. Technologies that have extended life also make treatment decisions harder at the end of life. New methods of research hold promise in treating disease. These innovations show the resourcefulness of humanity, and they must be guided by all the wisdom of humanity. Our standards must be high, and clear, and fixed. Life is not just a tool, or a commodity, or a means to other ends. Nothing good or just can be built on the destruction or suffering of others. (Applause.) These convictions have deep roots in our nation's founding. Our Declaration of Independence calls life an endowment of the Creator, and on earth, an unalienable right. Applying this belief has always been a test of our democracy. - http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/05/20040514-4.html
Too bad Bush doesn't share his conviction of "life" when it comes to the Iraqi civilians he slaughtered. I guess THOSE lives are disposable in his eyes.
The estimated 10,000 civilian deaths in the Iraq war are indeed tragic. However, they were not intentional murders, and they pale in comparison to the ~1.5 million unborn babies killed by abortion in the US during the same time period.
