In April 2004 the Onion wrote:
Bush To Iraqi Militants: ‘Please Stop Bringing It On’
WASHINGTON, DC—In an internationally televised statement Monday, President Bush modified a July 2003 challenge to Iraqi militants attacking U.S. forces. “Terrorists, Saddam loyalists, and anti-American insurgents: Please stop bringing it on now,” Bush said at a Monday press conference. “Nine months and 500 U.S. casualties ago, I may have invited y’all to bring it on, but as of today, I formally rescind that statement. I would officially like for you to step back.” The president added that the “it” Iraqis should stop bringing includes gunfire, bombings, grenade attacks, and suicide missions of all types.
WASHINGTON, DC—In an internationally televised statement Monday, President Bush modified a July 2003 challenge to Iraqi militants attacking U.S. forces. “Terrorists, Saddam loyalists, and anti-American insurgents: Please stop bringing it on now,” Bush said at a Monday press conference. “Nine months and 500 U.S. casualties ago, I may have invited y’all to bring it on, but as of today, I formally rescind that statement. I would officially like for you to step back.” The president added that the “it” Iraqis should stop bringing includes gunfire, bombings, grenade attacks, and suicide missions of all types.
Today the Chicago Tribune wrote:
Bush: 2nd thoughts on `Bring 'em on'
WASHINGTON -- President Bush expressed misgivings Thursday for two of his most famous expressions: "Bring 'em on," in reference to Iraqis attacking U.S. troops, and his vow to get Osama bin Laden "dead or alive."
During an interview with reporters from 14 newspapers, Bush acknowledged that his tough language "had an unintended consequence."
On July 2, 2003, two months after he had declared an end to major combat in Iraq, Bush promised that U.S. forces would stay until the creation of a free government there. To those who would attack U.S. forces in an attempt to deter that mission, Bush said, "My answer is: Bring 'em on."
"Sometimes, words have consequences you don't intend them to mean," Bush said Thursday. "`Bring 'em on' is the classic example, when I was really trying to rally the troops and make it clear to them that I fully understood, you know, what a great job they were doing. And those words had an unintended consequence. It kind of, some interpreted it to be defiance in the face of danger. That certainly wasn't the case."
In the week after the Sept. 11 attacks, Bush was asked whether he wanted bin Laden, the terrorist leader blamed for the attacks, dead.
"I want justice," Bush said. "And there's an old poster out West, that I recall, that said, `Wanted, Dead or Alive.'"
Recalling that remark, Bush said Thursday: "I can remember getting back to the White House, and Laura said, `Why did you do that for?' I said, `Well, it was just an expression that came out. I didn't rehearse it."'
WASHINGTON -- President Bush expressed misgivings Thursday for two of his most famous expressions: "Bring 'em on," in reference to Iraqis attacking U.S. troops, and his vow to get Osama bin Laden "dead or alive."
During an interview with reporters from 14 newspapers, Bush acknowledged that his tough language "had an unintended consequence."
On July 2, 2003, two months after he had declared an end to major combat in Iraq, Bush promised that U.S. forces would stay until the creation of a free government there. To those who would attack U.S. forces in an attempt to deter that mission, Bush said, "My answer is: Bring 'em on."
"Sometimes, words have consequences you don't intend them to mean," Bush said Thursday. "`Bring 'em on' is the classic example, when I was really trying to rally the troops and make it clear to them that I fully understood, you know, what a great job they were doing. And those words had an unintended consequence. It kind of, some interpreted it to be defiance in the face of danger. That certainly wasn't the case."
In the week after the Sept. 11 attacks, Bush was asked whether he wanted bin Laden, the terrorist leader blamed for the attacks, dead.
"I want justice," Bush said. "And there's an old poster out West, that I recall, that said, `Wanted, Dead or Alive.'"
Recalling that remark, Bush said Thursday: "I can remember getting back to the White House, and Laura said, `Why did you do that for?' I said, `Well, it was just an expression that came out. I didn't rehearse it."'
Chicago Tribune
