Can't you just hear Dick Cheney giving the following speech?
When I jump over the past to look ahead, I do it intentionally. The hour is at hand! There is no time for fruitless debates. We must act, immediately and decisively, as has always been the American way.
The war on terror has from its beginning acted in that way to overcome the many crises it has faced and overcome. The American government also acted decisively when faced by a threat. We are not like the ostrich that sticks its head in the sand so as not to see danger. We are brave enough to look danger in the face, to coolly and ruthlessly take its measure, then act decisively with our heads held high. As a nation, we have always been at our best when we needed determined wills to overcome danger, or a strength of character sufficient to overcome every obstacle, or bitter determination to reach our goal, or a steel heart capable of withstanding every internal and external battle. So it will be today.
and the link at the bottom of the speech:
http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/goeb36a.htm