State of the Union: discursos memorables (II)

23 de enero, 1980: un Presidente Carter en horas bajas proclamó en este discurso lo que se conocería como "Doctrina Carter", como respuesta a la invasión soviética de Afganistán, ocurrida las navidades anteriores. Trazada por su ambicioso Consejero de Seguridad Nacional Zbignew Brzezinski, la doctrina afirmaba el uso de la fuerza para defender el libre movimiento de petróleo en el Golfo Pérsico.

(...) "The region which is now threatened by Soviet troops in Afghanistan is of great strategic importance: It contains more than two-thirds of the world's exportable oil. The Soviet effort to dominate Afghanistan has brought Soviet military forces to within 300 miles of the Indian Ocean and close to the Straits of Hormuz, a waterway through which most of the world's oil must flow. The Soviet Union is now attempting to consolidate a strategic position, therefore, that poses a grave threat to the free movement of Middle East oil.

This situation demands careful thought, steady nerves, and resolute action, not only for this year but for many years to come. It demands collective efforts to meet this new threat to security in the Persian Gulf and in Southwest Asia. It demands the participation of all those who rely on oil from the Middle East and who are concerned with global peace and stability. And it demands consultation and close cooperation with countries in the area which might be threatened.

Meeting this challenge will take national will, diplomatic and political wisdom, economic sacrifice, and, of course, military capability. We must call on the best that is in us to preserve the security of this crucial region.

Let our position be absolutely clear: An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force." (...)



13 de enero, 1975: la frase más manida en los discursos sobre el Estado de la Unión suele ser, "the state of our Union is strong". Gerald Ford fue bastante más realista (o cándido, según se mire) que otros Presidentes y recitó una interminable lista de problemas para evidenciar que el estado de la Unión era un desastre.

(...) "I must say to you that the state of the Union is not good: Millions of Americans are out of work. Recession and inflation are eroding the money of millions more. Prices are too high, and sales are too slow. This year's Federal deficit will be about $30 billion; next year's probably $45 billion. The national debt will rise to over $500 billion. Our plant capacity and productivity are not increasing fast enough. We depend on others for essential energy. Some people question their Government's ability to make hard decisions and stick with them; they expect Washington politics as usual." (...)



30 de enero, 1974: el discurso se produce con Nixon acorralado, invocando repetidamente los privilegios ejecutivos para no tener que facilitar nuevas grabaciones y documentos al fiscal especial del caso Watergate. El Presidente dice que con un año de Watergate ya ha habido suficiente.

(...) "I would like to add a personal word with regard to an issue that has been of great concern to all Americans over the past year. I refer, of course, to the investigations of the so-called Watergate affair.

As you know, I have provided to the Special Prosecutor voluntarily a great deal of material. I believe that I have provided all the material that he needs to conclude his investigations and to proceed to prosecute the guilty and to clear the innocent.

I believe the time has come to bring that investigation and the other investigations of this matter to an end. One year of Watergate is enough." (...)