This may have to go in Great Debates but I’m really just asking for an opinion. If it generates into debate, I’m not responsible
A friend of mine is upset that Bush used the words “Let’s Roll” in his speech. He thinks it cheapens the memory of Todd Beamer and their bravery. I think it’s entirely appropriate and pays tribute to their bravery by calling on us to be as brave. The fact that we are fighting the people that caused Beamer’s death confirms it.
To be honest, I hadn’t even noticed the use of the world when I listened. Anyone else have an opinion on it? Was it inproper?
It probably wasn’t improper.
I think it was used in the wrong context though. Considering how Beamer used the statement it was kinda lame for Bush to use it in that speech.
It would have had a better effect if he had used it in a more emotional speech.
When I heard about Todd Beamer’s saying “Let’s Roll” shortly after Sept 11., I told my wife that the phrase was going to go down in history like “The British are coming!”. She thought I was being overly dramatic.
I think it’s a great idea. In WWII General McCauliffe was asked to surrender by the Germans. His response (“Nuts!”) became kind of a war cry for soldiers for the rest of that war and long after.
Things like that provide esprit de corps. And we could all use a bit of that right now. And I think Todd Beamer would be ecstatic to know his words are making a difference.
I suspect Beamer’s widow wouldn’t mind Bush using the term. If none of Beamer’s loved ones are offended, I see no reason why I should be bothered. I was moved by it, actually.
I didn’t see the whole speech. Perhaps the line could have been used in a more emotional speech (like justwannono suggests) but other than that, I don’t see a problem.
There are some people that would criticize ANYthing Dubya says. Your friend sounds like one of those, because I think it IS a new American battle-cry, and it helps for people to remember sacrifice in their name. (And I believe that’s exactly what happened aboard Flight 93.)
The Magnificent Todd Beamer: he was just an ordinary guy on a plane, with no responsibility for doing anything about the crime. But he stepped up, and determined that he could help. He must have known that even if he and his new comrades that followed him up the aisle were successful, he would die.
That’s heroic. And there was nothing improper about the President of the United States echoing those words.
You hit it on the nose, Bluesman. And, in the context of his speech, that’s what the Prez said. He didn’t just blurt out the catchphrase. He recounted Mr. Beamer’s brave act and used it as a springboard for what the nation must do: stand up and fight terrorism.
I also feel it honors the memory of Beamer’s sacrifice. And if it becomes a rallying cry for Americans, I believe Beamer would be proud of the fact.
I think it was idiotic. Not because it was offensive to Beamer’s memory–I do think it honors his memory. I think it’s idiotic because we say “let’s roll” when we’re actually going to DO something, like Todd Beamer did. Bush’s speech didn’t really ask us to do anything, so saying “let’s roll” made no sense.
It would have been better to wait to use it until he actually had to ask the American people to take some sort of action.
But he ended his speech by saying that civilians in the U.S. can do their part by volunteering, then named hospitals, neighborhood watches, etc. as examples. And he said that the best thing we could do was not live in fear.
He was exhorting the American people to do something. Unless you didn’t get the same sense from his speech that I did.
I do recognize that he did suggest voluntarism. His suggestions were awfully vague. That’s fine, and hopefully it will have a good effect. But I would think a statement like “Let’s Roll” would be used after he made specific requests of what he wants us to do–and after he explained how the desired behaviors would help the war effort.
Some WWII style examples:
–I ask you to recycle every scrap of metal. We need the metal to build planes and tanks. Let’s roll.
–We all have to accept food rationing and use food coupons so that our troops have good food. Let’s roll.
–Go out there and volunteer for the armed forces so we can use a million-dollar missile to hit a camel in the butt. Let’s roll.
“Let’s roll” is kind of a silly thing to say after “okay, guys. let’s try to get back to normal.”
Sorry, but it rang hollow and forced on my ears. Since the beginning, Dubya has sounded either like an western movie cowboy (“I want Osama dead or alive”) or a comic book hero (“We will bring the evil-doers to justice”) (OK, I know those are not the direct quotes, but they’re pretty close.)
When he said “Let’s roll,” the picture it drew in my head wasn’t Beamer, but some squad room sarge telling the cops to drop their doughnuts and hit the streets. At least he didn’t say, “Let’s do it to them, before they do it to us” or “Hey, hey. Let’s be careful out there.” But I don’t think Dubya was a big “Hill Street Blues” fan.
