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Manuela Moreno
Professor Bevill
ENGL 1302-11
02 March 2015
President Bushs Response on Terrorism
After the devastating and tragic attack on September 11th, President George W. Bush gave
the speech Address to a Joint Session of Congress on the 9/11 Attacks at Washington D.C on
the twentieth of September that was targeted towards Congress and Americans. His speech
focused on his response to the attack, terrorism, his proposition to end terrorism, and giving
America peace of mind. The attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon by al Qaeda is the
first time since Pearl Harbor that American has been a war zone. As president and leader of the
United States, he must put at ease the broken hearts of many, bring hope, establish security, unity,
peace, and bring justice to America. During this time of weakness for America, the country
awakened to danger and [is] called to defend freedom (Bush 1). It is through former President
Bushs words, knowledge, and connection with Americans that he accomplishes his purpose to
attempt to end terrorism and restore Americas strength. Nevertheless, shortly following the
attack on September eleventh, George W. Bush addressed the nation on terrorism, restoring the
strength and freedom of America and his plan to put a stop on terrorism. Former president Bush
succeeds in getting the support of Americans by using supporting evidence to prove his claims,
connecting with Americans, and having extensive knowledge as president and commander in
chief.
Throughout the voicing, Bush supports his claims with evidence and facts on terrorism
and al Qaeda to convince all those listening to support his proposition to bring an end to terror.

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Facts like, There are thousands of these terrorist in more than 60 countries. They are recruited
from their own nations and neighborhoods and brought back to camps in places like Afghanistan,
where they are trained in the tactics of terror. They are sent back to their homes or sent to hide in
countries around the world to plot evil and destruction and they are the heirs of all murderous
ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their radical visionsby
abandoning every value except the will to powerthey follow in the oath of fascism, Nazism,
and totalitarianism, persuade Americans to agree with Bushs proposition to proceed on putting
an end to terrorism by any means possible (Bush 3). There was a major worldwide terrorism
problem at this time and many lived in fear and Bush was aware. Therefore, Bush used this
information to convince America to unite and agree that terrorism was a major issue and it had to
be stopped before another attack was conducted.
In former president George W. Bushs speech, he connects with America by appealing to
their devastated hearts. The unpredictable and shocking attack on the morning of September 11th
left the nation broken and helpless. This dark, disastrous and dire day left America in mourning,
pain, anger and a stirring of hunger for justice grew. The word we appears a numerous amount
of times in Bushs address to the nation which gives all Americans a sense of solidarity,
unification, and strength. Bush gives hope to Americans when he states, I know there are
struggles ahead, and dangers to face. But this country will define our times, not be defined by
them. As long as the United States of America is determined and strong, this will not be an age of
terror; this will be an age of liberty, here and across the world (Bush 5). As he uplifts the fallen
nation with words of hope, he captures the hearts of the people which lead them to follow him
and grant his proposal on ending terrorism and restoring America, peace, hope, and freedom.

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Bushs expertise on the subject of terrorism and al Qaeda and his credibility as a
president sways Americans to trust him and join him in the movement of ending all terror and
reestablishing peace and freedom. Towards the end of his speech, he begins using the words I
and my making America believe that as their leader and representative he is going to do all, he
can in his power to bring justice and put an end to the overwhelming and life-consuming fear the
nation is experiencing. This is my reminder of lives that ended, and a task that does not end. I
will not forget this wound to our country or those inflicted it. I will not yield; I will not stop rest;
I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people (Bush
6). Bush states that he will use, every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every
instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war
to the disruption and to the defeat of the global terror network. As a president and commander
and chief, Bush has the power and authority to make those things happen. The power and
authority that Bush obtains and his capabilities to allow those things to happen makes America
not second guess his ability to put an end to the scrutinizing terror.
After the horrific event on September eleventh George W. Bush addressed the devastated
nation and focused on the problem which is a terrorist network, his proposition to put an end to
all the terror, and fixated on uplifting and easing the hearts of Americans. Bush persuades and
gains the support of the nation through his use of facts, knowledge as president and commander
in chief, and connecting with America, which is the most useful of all.

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Work Cited
Bush W. George. Address to a Joint Session of Congress on the 9/11 Attacks. American
Rhetoric 20 Sept. 2001: 1-6