There is a serious and cautious mood as the sun sets on the nation’s capital on this night, January 16, 1991. Just as darkness settles on the horizon overlooking the capitol dome, President George H. W. Bush’s helicopter, Marine One, touches down on the south lawn of the White House. Although this is normally commonplace, tonight the President will do something that will change the course of history. Tonight the President will not only launch an invasion to remove the Iraqi Army from the tiny nation of Kuwait, but will ask all Americans not only to stand with him, but stand with the fight for freedom.
In his speech, Bush says to the nation, “Our objectives are clear: Saddam Hussein's forces will leave Kuwait. The legitimate government of Kuwait will be restored to its rightful place, and Kuwait will once again be free. Iraq will eventually comply with all relevant United Nations resolutions, and then, when peace is restored, it is our hope that Iraq will live as a peaceful and cooperative member of the family of nations, thus enhancing the security and stability of the Gulf. Some may ask: Why act now? Why not wait? The answer is clear: The world could wait no longer... No President can easily commit our sons and daughters to war. They are the Nation's finest.Tonight, America and the world are deeply grateful to them and to their families…Tonight, as our forces fight, they and their families are in our prayers.”
The end result was overwhelming: in just over 100 hours since the beginning of offensive operations, the Iraqi Army was in full retreat across the border. By Feb. 27, the coalition had accomplished its stated objective of freeing Kuwait.
There are a number of lessons we can learn from that month in 1991. But I think that the greatest lesson we can learn is that the destiny of this country is greater than any one President. I’ve written several times on how divided the nation is now. It would seem all at once that the inauguration of President Trump has, in effect, been a sort of parting of the Red Sea of the American political landscape. Many are extremely pleased with the President’s recent executive orders on easing the enforcement of the Affordable Care Act, the beginning of the wall on the border with Mexico, and the extreme vetting of Syrian refugees entering the United States, while many scream bloody murder. Just as many were skeptical of Bush’s decision to invade Kuwait and argued that it was an unjust confrontation in an isolated third world nation.
The main lesson to be learned here is, this land we all share is bigger than any one of us, and as such we must all be mindful of the obligation we all share, to make America a better place. Just over a week ago, millions of women marched down Constitution Avenue for a variety of reasons. Let me clarify one point, I am a very strong believer in the first amendment, and I believe that one of the core tenets of our republic is the right to peacefully assemble. However, at the same time, I would remind both sides of the words of President Richard Nixon, “we cannot learn from one another, until we stop shouting at one another.”
