Thread: Hagel says America needs new direction

Published Tuesday | March 18, 2008
Hagel says America needs new direction
BY ELIZABETH AHLIN
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER


America is in flux, and its successful future will require stronger relationships with other countries and a "political reorientation" at home, U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel said Monday.

Hagel addressed a crowd of Creighton University students in a 30-minute speech titled "America: Our Next Chapter." Hagel's forthcoming book of the same name will be released March 25.

The event was sponsored by the Creighton History Department, and Hagel called on one historian's words repeatedly to make his point.

"Civilization is a movement. It's not a condition. It is a voyage. It is not a harbor," Hagel said, quoting English historian Arnold Toynbee.

"We certainly are struck with some appreciation of a world in transformation that I happen to believe is historic in its width, breadth and depth," Hagel said.

The senator pointed to other countries' low opinions of the United States as proof that changes need to be made. "It is a very scary proposition. It isn't all our fault, but that's almost incidental to the reality," he said.

Countries around the world "still want a strong America," he said. But they want us to lead, "not impose, not dictate."

Other nations have lost trust in us, he said, and he called on America's leaders to be more like former Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Harry Truman, who worked through international coalitions, such as the United Nations, to make changes.

Hagel said that at least 40 percent of the world is 19 years old or younger. Those young people live in parts of the world plagued with poverty or political unrest, including portions of the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and North Korea.

"These are the nations that were left behind," Hagel said. In a 30-minute speech, followed by a question period, Nebraska's senior senator called 9/11 the "jarring gong that really took America off stride."

Since then, America has been plagued with fear — fear that has prompted heightened passion over problems such as illegal immigration.

Certainly the United States needs to secure its borders, but it shouldn't focus on an unfeasible solution to illegal immigration, like rounding everyone up and having them deported, Hagel said.

"Complete nonsense," Hagel said. "Unworkable."

"We've got to look at the world as it is, reality as it is."

The reality of our political system is that Americans aren't happy with it, and they don't think it works, Hagel said.

He cited the high numbers of Americans registering as independent or nonpartisan voters as a strong indication that people are tired of the way the United States is being run.

Low approval ratings for President Bush, Congress and both major political parties have pushed people away from the traditional parties.

"What you've got is a nation that's lost faith," Hagel said.

Those independent voters will cause a political reorientation, Hagel said. That could be the emergence of a strong third party, or it could be a restructuring of the existing parties. Either way, it is part of a successful future for the country.

"We can do something about tomorrow. And because we understand that in this country, we will change tomorrow."


http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2 ... d=10286366

This is BS waht we need is to enforce our laws

Hagel can go pound sand.

"What you've got is a nation that's lost faith," Hagel said.

Frankly, I'm going to have more faith when this dumb-dumb is out of office.

I agree... time for Hagle to retire and go play shuffle board in Florida... we willl no longer play your BULL SH_T Tiddly Winks

Certainly the United States needs to secure its borders, but it shouldn't focus on an unfeasible solution to illegal immigration, like rounding everyone up and having them deported, Hagel said.

As usual ...this is what all of you ALWAYS cry!!! When the truth is most of us don't expect "our goverment, our ELECTED officials... that are "hired" to PROTECT and to SERVE the American Citizen"... to deport most of these people. WE expect you to do your jobs and enforce our immigration laws whether you like them or not...NOT CHANGE OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS!! Take away the jobs, the benefits and DEAL with corrupt business that hire illegal aliens HARSHLY!!! NOT A SLAP ON THE HAND... Which for the past several years...barely get that!!
Take away what draws them here and THEY WILL GO HOME ON THEIR OWN!!!

Originally Posted by Mayday

he called on America's leaders to be more like former Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Harry Truman,

<snip>

Certainly the United States needs to secure its borders, but it shouldn't focus on an unfeasible solution to illegal immigration, like rounding everyone up and having them deported, Hagel said.

Hagel you are a complete buffoon. Your idol Eisenhower did exactly that, rounded up illegals and had them deported.

Originally Posted by JAK

Certainly the United States needs to secure its borders, but it shouldn't focus on an unfeasible solution to illegal immigration, like rounding everyone up and having them deported, Hagel said.

As usual ...this is what all of you ALWAYS cry!!! When the truth is most of us don't expect "our goverment, our ELECTED officials... that are "hired" to PROTECT and to SERVE the American Citizen"... to deport most of these people. WE expect you to do your jobs and enforce our immigration laws whether you like them or not...NOT CHANGE OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS!! Take away the jobs, the benefits and DEAL with corrupt business that hire illegal aliens HARSHLY!!! NOT A SLAP ON THE HAND... Which for the past several years...barely get that!!
Take away what draws them here and THEY WILL GO HOME ON THEIR OWN!!!

10-4 JAK