September 11, 2003

A Day That Shall Live in Infamy

September 11. The mere mention of the date conjurs up deep emotions with the same certainty as removing a scab from a recently healed wound produces blood. The despicable acts perpetrated on this nation on that horrible day have indellibly marked our national psyche.

Growing up, I used to hear my parents and grandparents refer to life "before the war" and "after the war." World War Two was, for them, the great point of reference that divided history.

My children will hear me talk about "before September 11" and "After September 11." This date is now a turning point in our national history.

The great question that arises from this event is "where do we go from here?" After Pearl Harbor was bombed, the course of action is clear. Defeat Japan and anybody associated with them. The course of action we should take with regard to the terrorists is the same--defeat them and anybody associated with them. The problem lies in whether our society has the intenstinal fortitude to carry it out.

It was my dubious privilege to see some clips from recent Democratic debates. It would appear that American resolve to end terror does not extend to most of the pretenders to the Democratic nomination. Instead, a whiney, we-can't-do-it-by-ourselves, it's-too-dangerous, it-will-take-too-long type of attitude is prevelent. Some even have the gall to suggest that it should already be over.

Do they actually believe this, or are they just trying to get elected? I fear for our country's future should people like this come to power.

I usually do not go political in this blog, but some things just need to be said. It is my desire, as an American, that this generation show the same resolve as was shown by our fathers when they wrote:

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Posted by Andrew on September 11, 2003 6:43 PM.