This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE (9-23-04)

It wasn’t what most people were expecting him to say.

I’m referring to the Presidents’ talk to the General Assembly of the United Nations on Tuesday.

Some felt that perhaps he would scold the Assembly for not participating in the war in Iraq or the war on terrorism.. Others had claimed that he had built a bad image with other nations of the world because of the war in Iraq.

There were even those who felt that he should rebuke those nations such as France, Germany and China who had refused to endorse the Iraq action and had refused to help in any manner

At any rate, I watch the speech carefully.

First of all, he called attention to the reason for the formation of the organization in the first place: namely to enrich human dignity and foster freedom. He also noted that the organization was formed to keep the peace of the world, but that in the case of Iraq...after numerous resolutions condemning Saddam Hussein’s actions...even though they had threatened serious consequences if he didn’t comply....they took no action. He inferred that the United States had given credibility to the U.N. actions by overthrowing him.

His biggest subject, however, was devoted to freedom.

He termed the current century as one of liberty.

He also condemned the terrorists as ruthless murderers who would impose their will on the world if they had the chance. He even cited the recent incident in which terrorists took over a school in Russia and killed hundreds, including mostly children.

He also assured both the people of Afghanistan and Iraq that there was no question that we would prevail in this conflict.

Democratic Senator Joseph Biden, commenting on his speech, complained that he had not been forceful enough. Biden felt he should have rebuked those who had not supported us in Iraq, blaming the President for not first having organized a broader coalition to fight the terrorists.

One pundit even commented that he was more hawkish than the President, although he clearly stated that John Kerry would do a better job than the President.

Later the Prime Minister Allawi of Iraq stated that yes, there were pockets of resistance by mostly outside terrorist forces, but t hat most of the country was operating normally. He agreed that the Sunni Triangle of cities such as Faluljan, Ramadi and others were still pockets of resistance, but that in others life was getting back to normal.

President Bush’s main message was.....we will stay the course in Iraq and we will prevail. Allawi also indicated that there was no reason elections couldn’t be held in January.

Now.....all we hear is that all is chaos in Iraq...that civil war threatens....and we are daily besieged with reports of car bombings and roadside explosions.

The American public has to decide pretty much for itself in an election year when one of the two candidates for Commander in Chief is accusing the other of lying about the war....calling it the wrong war at the wrong time in the wrong place...and monday morning quarterbacking that he could do better.

Such complaints do little for the morale of the men and women engaged in that war.....and comfort only the terrorists who hope America will again cut and run.

As I have said...most don’t understand the true nature of this conflict.....it is one we, as a free people, cannot afford to lose...and will not lose.

This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE.