Alabama State Auditor Beth Chapman. Attached is a copy of Mrs. Chapman's
speech, which resulted in five standing ovations, tremendous applause and an
encore. It's a short read and well worth it.
I'm here tonight because men and women of the United States military have
given their lives for my freedom. I am not here tonight because Sheryl
Crowe, Rosie O'Donnell, Martin Sheen, George Clooney, Jane Fonda or Phil
Donahue, sacrificed their lives for me.
If my memory serves me correctly, it was not movie stars or musicians, but
the United States Military who fought on the shores of Iwo Jima, the jungles
of Vietnam, and the beaches of Normandy. Tonight, I say we should support
the President of the United States and the U.S. Military and tell the
liberal, tree-hugging, Birkenstock-wearing, hippy, tie-dyed liberals to go
make their movies and music and whine somewhere else.
After all, if they lived in Iraq, they wouldn't be allowed the freedom of
speech they're being given here today. Ironically, they would be put to
death at the hands of Sadam Husssein or Osama Bin Laden. I want to know how
the very people who are against war because of the loss of life, can
possibly be the same people who are for abortion? They are the same people
who are for animal rights but against the rights of the unborn. The movie
stars say they want to go to Iraq and serve as "human shields" for the
Iraqis. I say let them buy a one-way ticket and go.
No one likes war. I hate war! But the one thing I hate more is the fact that
this country has been forced into war-innocent people have lost their
lives - - and there but for the grace of God, it could have been my brother,
my husband, or even worse my own son.
On December 7, 1941, there are no records of movie stars treading the
blazing waters of Pearl Harbor.
On September 11, 2001; there are no photos of movie stars standing as "human
shields" against the debris and falling bodies ascending from the World
Trade Center. There were only policemen and firemen - -underpaid civil
servants who gave their all with nothing expected in return.
When the USS Cole was bombed, there were no movie stars guarding the
ship - - where were the human shields then?
If America's movie stars want to be human shields, let them shield the
gang-ridden streets of Los Angeles, or New York City, let them shield the
lives of the children of North Birmingham whose mothers lay them down to
sleep on the floor each night to shelter them from stray
bullets.
If they want to be human shields, I say let them shield the men and women of
honesty and integrity that epitomizes courage and embody the spirit of
freedom by wearing the proud uniforms of the United States Military. Those
are the people who have earned and deserve shielding!
Throughout the course of history, this country has remained free, not
because of movie stars and liberal activists, but because of brave men and
women who hated war too. However, they lay down their lives so that we all
may live in freedom. After all - "What greater love hath no man, that he lay
down his life for his friend," or in this case a country.
We should give our military honor and acknowledgement and not let their
lives be in vain. If you want to see true human shields, walk through
Arlington Cemetery. There lie human shields, heroes, and the BRAVE Americans
who didn't get on television and talk about being a human shield - they were
human shields.
I thank God tonight for freedom - - those who bought and paid for it with
their lives in the past - - those who will protect it in the present and
defend it in the future.
America has remained silent too long! God-fearing people have remained
silent too long! We must lift our voices united in a humble prayer to God
for guidance and the strength and courage to sustain us throughout whatever
the future may hold.
After the tragic events of Sept. 11th, my then eleven -year-old son said
terrorism is a war against them and us and if you're not one of us, then
you're one of them.
So in closing tonight, let us be of one accord, let us stand proud, and let
us be the human shields of prayer, encouragement and support for the
President, our troops and their families and our country.
May God bless America, the land of the free, the home of the brave and the
greatest country on the face of this earth!
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