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David Thompson
Professor Bevill
ENGL 1302 - 06

Analysis of the State of the Union Address: Unity in Times of Discord

Right after tragedy struck America fifteen years ago, President George W. Bush made his speech to
congress. Usually this annual speech made to congress by the president, aims to talk to congress on the
behalf of American citizens. This speech was unlike most to congress because of such acts of terror against
America and her people. The president had many things he had to say to America and to the world. While
the world was grieving the loss of innocence the president stepped up to lead. Through the presidents
emotional appeals in his speech to congress he successfully united and led the nation after a catastrophe to
fight a war on terror, with respect, action, and remembrance of the fallen.
One of the many things President Bush did to unite the country was to be respectful to all people
and religions. The President identified the group at fault, radical Islam, and then proceeded to define the
difference between radicals and traditional Muslims. President Bush wanted to be sure that America would
not discriminate against Muslims just because of what a sect of radicals did against America. What is truly
incredible is that these words of non-discrimination still ring true today yet even now America has a hard
time seeing this. Respect
During the speech President Bush courageously made demands to specific terrorist groups to lead
the nation into action. Through the Presidents demands he made it clear that America would not tolerate
what had happened and would be going to war if the demands were not met. Thereafter the President called
the nation to unity and brought forth the power of the United States military. The President then warned the
country that it would be a full frontal ground assault like they had not seen in many years. All these things

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were quite shocking to hear for the first time and the fact that the President stepped up to lead in this
emotional time was quite profound.
Through the presidents speech he memorialized the fallen people and appealed to Americas
emotional state of grief. This awful tragedy brought a great wave of heartache throughout the entire nation.
In the heartache the President honored the fallen in many ways, but one of the greatest ways was with a
challenge. The President challenged the American people to never forget. The President lead in a
tremendous way by showing how he planned to complete the challenge by carry the badge of a fallen police
officer. How President Bush planned to help as well was by helping the states affected (New York,
Pennsylvania, and Virginia) with relief funds and personnel. These things that the President did emotionally
comforted the American people in this terrible time.