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United in Remembrance
That’s My Opinion
By Bob Robinson
War was declared on the United States of America 10 years ago. While
some may not be willing to acknowledge it, we are still fighting that
war today.
When two hijacked planes brought the World Trade Center Towers down,
another plane hit the Pentagon and passengers brought a fourth plane
down on its way to Washington, D.C., we watched, numb with shock and
disbelief.
Each of us past our late teens or early twenties has vivid memories of
where we were, what we were doing… the emotions that tore through us.
When the shock had worn off, the nation moved into its next stages…
mourning, anger and unity.
We were unified in our rage.
President George W. Bush’s approval rating approached 90 percent when
he showed his strength as America’s Commander in Chief. The images of
his expression when he was told, when he looked out the window of Air
Force One and when he stood at the ruins of the World Trade Center and
vowed to bring the terrorists to justice floated around the main stream
media and Internet for years.
“We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail,” he said.
On Dec. 31 New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said: “The attacks of September
11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead we have emerged
stronger and more unified. We feel renewed devotion to the principles
of… freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life.”
We were dedicated – as a nation – to finding those responsible and
bringing them to justice. We were united by a common goal.
Then something happened. Discord… antipathy… division…
Iraq had something to do with it…
The nation and Congress was behind Bush when he said Hussein had (or
was seeking) “Weapons of Mass Destruction” and must be removed from
power for the sake of Democracy and our future. Despite the media’s
eventual dismissal of the charge, there were documented events of
Hussein’s use of chemical warfare on his own people and unconfirmed
reports of possible WMD’s buried in the desert, as well as
communications discovered that sought those weapons.
The bungling of the aftermath of the Iraq “war” had much to do with
public disillusion.
Afghanistan had something to do with it…
The planning and attacks originated with Osama bin Laden and his
Al-Qaeda, which was under the protection of Afghanistan’s Taliban
leadership.
America had already begun its response there… so why fight on two
fronts? For years, Iraq seemed to be the focus, not Afghanistan.
The Homeland Security Act may have had something to do with it…
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
This quote is attributed to Benjamin Franklin (from a book by Richard
Jackson and published by Franklin in 1759). It has been used by those
who were not happy with the administration’s efforts to keep a second
attack from occurring on American soil.
Regardless of how we perceived the Administration’s actions, they were
successful in the announced goal: preventing a repeat of 9/11 or
anything comparable.
No major attack occurred during the remainder of Bush’s terms in
office. Yet he completed his years as one of the most vilified
presidents (by the opposition) in my lifetime. Remember the phrase
“Anyone but Bush”?
We got our wish, and – at least from my perspective – one of the
results of that decision can be seen in more divisiveness than ever. We
no longer stand united.
Lines have been drawn in the sand and the opposition – fellow
Americans who do not happen to share someone else’s views – are often
attacked verbally, sometimes even physically.
Ten years ago today a devastating attack was launched on our country.
More than 3,000 lives were taken. In the last three years we have had
lone attacks – and attempted attacks – on American soil. Thousands of
Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice in our war against those who
wish to do us harm.
On this day, can we make a decision to cast our political differences
aside? Can we postpone our economic, political and ideological
wrangling for 24 hours and remember that we are all Americans?
All united in a remembrance of what happened and what must never happen
again.
That's my opinion. What's yours?
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