Former US President George W. Bush speaks throughout a 9/11 commemoration on the Flight 93 Nationwide Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania on September 11, 2021. – America marked the twentieth anniversary of 9/11 Saturday with solemn ceremonies given added poignancy by the current chaotic withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and return to energy of the Taliban.
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Violent extremists in the US and overseas are “youngsters of the identical foul spirit,” former President George W. Bush mentioned in his speech commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the September 11 terror assaults.
The previous president gave a speech in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the place he recounted the heroism of the passengers and crew of Flight 93, which crashed right into a area after its passengers and crew fought the hijackers to forestall one other assault.
Within the speech, Bush likened home extremists to international terrorists who attacked the U.S. 20 years in the past.
“Now we have seen rising proof that the risks to our nation can come not solely throughout borders, however from violence that gathers inside,” Bush mentioned.
“There’s little cultural overlap between violent extremists overseas and violent extremists at dwelling,” he continued.
The previous president mentioned home and international extremists share a “disdain for pluralism,” a “disregard for human life,” and a willpower to defile nationwide symbols, showing to reference the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Bush criticized the presence of tradition wars in U.S. politics as effectively.
“In terms of the unity of America, these days appear distant from our personal,” Bush mentioned. “Malign drive appears at work in our widespread life, that turns each disagreement into an argument, and each argument right into a conflict of cultures.”
The son of former President George H.W. Bush mentioned our politics has turn into a “bare attraction to anger, worry and resentment,” and mentioned he’s nervous about our future.
The president mentioned he recollects “tens of millions” of Individuals coming collectively on a day of “trial and grief” following the 9/11 terror assaults.
“At a time when nativism may have stirred hatred and violence in opposition to folks perceived as outsiders, I noticed Individuals reaffirm their welcome to immigrants and refugees,” Bush mentioned. “That’s the nation I do know.”
Within the speech, Bush additionally acknowledged critics of the battle on terror that he initiated.
“The army measures taken over the past 20 years to pursue risks at their supply have led to debate, however one factor is for certain, we owe an assurance to all who’ve fought our nation’s current battles,” Bush mentioned as he praised members of the army.
“The trigger you pursued on the name of obligation is the noblest America has to supply. You may have shielded your fellow residents from hazard,” Bush mentioned. “You may have defended the beliefs of your nation, and superior the rights of the downtrodden … we’re grateful.”
