February 6, 2004- "America is safer when our commitments are clear, our word is good and our will is strong.” Those words did not come from John Kerry, Wes Clark, John Edwards, or Howard Dean. They came out of the mouth of George W. Bush on the anniversary of Colin Powell’s presentation to the UN Security council. There was a time when America’s commitments were clear - before January 20, 2001. There was a time when the world trusted America’s word - before January 20, 2001. And there was a time when a united and aroused America had the will to defend liberty wherever it was challenged was undoubted - before January 20, 2001.

In 1946 America made the clear commitment to work with its allies and within the framework of the United Nation’s Charter to defend human liberty throughout the world and for 56 years she kept that clear commitment. She also kept her clear commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization faithfully until 2002. In the fall of 2002 the current administration turned its back on those clear commitments. In the fall of 2002 it declared the United Nations irrelevant; NATO unreliable; and a doctrine that the United States is free to launch a unilateral war against any regime that it considers might pose a threat to the interests of the United States wherever and whenever it chooses. The only thing that is clear from the Bush Doctrine is that America won’t be bound by its commitments however clear they may seem. Yes, Mr. Bush, America is safer when our commitments are clear – and when we keep those commitments.

One year ago Colin Powell made a presentment to the Security Council seeking the return of an indictment against the Iraqi Regime for possession of illegal weapons with the intent to use them against the peace of the world. Ton by ton, liter by liter, he detailed the case against Saddam Hussein. He failed to secure the indictment he went after but the Bush Administration plunged into war on March 19th – a trial by fire to prove the case it had published. The verdict is in – not proven; not proven by the evidence it presented and not proven by the facts uncovered by the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Yes, Mr. Bush, America is safer when our word is good and the rest of the world can rely that when we speak we speak candidly, openly and we speak the truth.

In the aftermath of September 11, 2001 a united America’s will was strong. America basked in the glow of support from our allies around the world and our erstwhile foes as well. When we and our allies entered Afghanistan the voices of dissent, at home and around the world, were few and muted. No one, friend or foe, doubted America’s resolve or its will to bring Osama Bin Laden to justice and to strike a crippling blow against international terrorism. Yes, Mr. Bush, America is safer when its will is strong and its will is strongest when the world can rely on America’s commitments and trust in America’s word.

America’s will was once strong. America’s word was once honored. America’s commitments were once kept. After January 20, 2005 they will be again.