This paper provides a critical discourse analysis of presuppositions and strategic functions, in addition to brief comments on the use of propaganda devices in the speech delivered by George W. Bush nine days after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and some other US targets, September 11, 2001. This approach makes it possible to explore the tension between idealism and pragmatism, the conflict between ‘us’ and ‘them’, and the other aspects of ideologies and power relationships found in the speech.