Americans are asking 'Why do they [terrorists] hate us?' They hate what they see right here in this chamber: a democratically elected government. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms: our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Bush explains that terrorists hate the U.S. because of its democratic government and freedoms.
- In plain terms
- Terrorists oppose America because we have free elections and civil liberties.
- What can you take from it?
- Freedom attracts opposition from those who reject it.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What other reasons might groups hate a nation?
- How does freedom provoke resistance?
Another view
This frames the conflict as purely ideological, ignoring geopolitical factors.
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