Daniel C. Eckert

The Tides of Administrative Politics

The face of modern America has been changing through the years, with much dramatic evolution occurring within the current decade. Under the Presidential administration of George H. W. Bush, the United States has adopted foreign and domestic policies that embody a trend of negative relations with foreign nationals, immigrants, and previously-naturalized citizens whose home nations or regions fall on the wrong side of the diplomatic razor.

The goals and intents of the forty-third American President are easily assessed through analysis of his annual report to the United States Congress, the State of the Union Address, through his tenure of duty. Four of these reports, made in 2002 (his first), 2004 (after a successful year in Iraq), 2006 (rallying support against illegal immigrants), and 2007 (the most current), display most accurately the negative trend of discrimination and alienation promoted by this President aspires for the nation he governs.

The 2002 State of the Union Address concentrates on building up the nation after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in the District of Columbia on September 11th, 2001. The address made this year to the citizens of America fosters attitudes of inspiration and hope, telling Americans that despite dangers of war and economic recession, "the state of our Union has never been stronger." (Bush 2002) Such positive and encouraging language promotes distraction from the true underlying message and goals espoused by the President. This installation of the annual report heightens awareness of terrorism and influences the American mind to be constantly alert in search of terrorists. Bush tells his national audience of an incident near to Christmas (just weeks prior, at a time close to the hearts of patriotic Americans) in which "an airline attendant spotted a passenger lighting a match," which led to the arrest of the man, "who had been trained by al Qaeda," by passengers and flight crew. (Bush 2002) This and other notations of mysterious, common-seeming terrorists from the lands of al Qaeda cultivated a sense of alienation against people of Middle Eastern descent or Islamic faith in America. Such alienation is seen through casual discrimination by avoidance or questioning in public schools and workplaces, and by racial and cultural profiling in security checkpoints at airports and other secure installations. By indoctrinating the citizenry through desensitization via reminders of fear and danger, such discriminatory behaviors are now promoted as patriotic and necessary for the government to ensure security on behalf of the American people.

President Bush again permeates his 2004 State of the Union Address with bold statements of endearment, reminding Americans that by "delivering justice to the violent" (eg. Through the military engagement in Iraq) they are "making America more secure." (Bush 2004) Through utilization of careful linguistic application, he reinforces a sentiment of constant and impending danger for Americans. He reminds his audience that while America has remained without an attack over the previous two years, many of other places in the world continue to endure violence within their borders, thereby putting America and Americans in danger -- a logical non sequitur. In another instance, Bush mentions that his government is "tracking al Qaeda around the world" (Bush 2004) and killing terrorist leaders wherever they can be found, seemingly in an attempt to shore up his assertion of constant danger and the value of the American militaristic foreign policy. By establishing the military with patriotic goals like defending the freedom and safety of Americans, the President removes attention from the drastic social side effects of his policies. As his address progresses, President Bush continues to include references to international terrorist elements and the terrorists captured by the American military in Middle Eastern regions. This serves no purpose other than to encourage and reinforce an American prejudice against people who are tied to this image -- targeting naturalized American citizens, immigrants, and foreign nationals alike.

Continuing the push of his aggressive foreign and domestic agendas, Bush perpetuates the stereotypes and fears of Middle Eastern nationals and those descended from ethnic groups related therein. By asserting once again in his 2006 State of the Union Address that al Qaeda remains at large as a major threat to the security and well being of American citizens, he instills a sense of fear and uncertainty in his American audience, which justifies prejudices and discrimination. Proclaiming that the American government could have prevented the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 with increased domestic surveillance, President Bush announces that he has authorized domestic espionage programs to keep a watch on citizens in America who may be suspected of intentions to commit terrorism in order to "prevent terrorist attacks." (Bush 2006) This proclamation creates an environment of domestic fear, encouraging distance between neighbors and heightened suspicion among the populace. It also reinforces the justification of ethnic prejudice and discrimination against those who fit the Presidential administration's broadcast stereotypes of terrorists. Bush remarks directly on the issue of immigration and naturalization with passing attention, stating simply that in order to secure the country against terrorists and illegal immigrants, the nation's southern borders must be made secure. This is intended to make Americans feel more secure, by showing assertiveness of the "home front." However, the fear-mongering nature of the context subconsciously promotes alienation of those who routinely fall into the large dragnets of "illegal immigration" and terror watch programs -- people are encouraged to distrust others, and the media promotes the image of terrorists of the Islamic faith and "illegal immigrants" of Hispanic descent.

Through his 2007 State of the Union Address, President Bush introduces new elements of national security that further endanger domestic social and cultural relations with foreign nationals and citizens of foreign heritage. With the opposing Democratic party in the majority in Congress, Bush must make concessions and discuss issues of importance to them, instead of concentrating on militaristic aims and the terrorist attacks he seeks to prevent. However, he manages to promote his agendas by discussing the need for "comprehensive immigration reform." (Reeves) He strives to appease the Congressional majority by proposing more easily obtainable temporary work permits for foreign nationals, but analysis shows his ulterior intention to "free the border patrol to search for drug smugglers, criminals, and terrorists." (Reeves) This continues to promote the discrimination of the Hispanic ethnic group brought into his sights during the previous State of the Union Address, by increasing the political focus on their presence in America and the American workforce economy. Bush also uses rhetorical syntax to continue his assault on the "terrorist element" promoted consistently during the past 6 years. In his own words, the President reiterates the assertion that as a major threat, "Al Qaeda and its followers are Sunni" Muslims, and that "they preach with threats, instruct with bullets and bombs, and promise paradise for the murder of the innocent." (Bush 2007) While cultivating acceptance by the Democratic majority, Bush maintains his push for the American isolationism and social instability year after year.

From the first State of the Union Address made by President Bush in 2002 to the latest edition reported in 2007, a constantly-growing trend of negative attitudes toward focused ethnic groups has been promoted by the executive administration of the United States. Bush continually uses rhetorical tools effectively to dissuade interest in protection of rights for the groups focused on by his policies, and desensitize attitudes of familiarity with stereotyped images of those who fall on the wrong side of his diplomatic razor. Through his addresses, Bush uses language intended to increase justification for domestic hostility and encourage division within the ranks of the populace. The increase in the veiled nature of the language chosen, as well as the complexity of the logical failures interwoven within the texts show clearly the expansion of a trend with negative social and cultural consequences for those who may be ethnically classified by the policies espoused between the lines.

During the 7 years since his election, President Bush has done much to push his country into brinksmanship with its citizens and foreign nationals. Badly damaging relations at home between people of different culture and backgrounds, and raising "awareness" against terrorism (or heightened suspicion of neighbors), the President and his administration have created a blemish on the free and friendly America they claim to lead.

References

• Bush, George H. W. "The State of the Union." Washington, D.C: 29 January 2002.
  Accessed on 20 September 2007 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/stateoftheunion/2002/>.
• Bush, George H. W. "The State of the Union." Washington, D.C: 20 January 2004.
  Accessed on 20 September 2007 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/stateoftheunion/2004/>.
• Bush, George H. W. "The State of the Union." Washington, D.C: 31 January 2006.
  Accessed on 20 September 2007 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/stateoftheunion/2006/>.
• Bush, George H. W. "The State of the Union." Washington, D.C: 23 January 2007.
  Accessed on 17 September 2007 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/stateoftheunion/2007/>.
• Reeves, Robert L.; Curtis, Katherine L. "President Bush calls for immigration reform."
  Filipino Reporter. New York, N.Y: Feb 2-8, 2007. Vol.35, Iss.8; pg. 28. Ethnic NewsWatch.
  Iowa State U. Lib., Ames, IA. 16 September 2007 <http://www.lib.iastate.edu/>.

Citation

Eckert, Daniel C. The Tides of Administrative Politics. (2007, September).