We Will Never Forget

Due to my limited knowledge of the actually conversations of those involved I can not make a judgment on the accuracy of that content, but I think that as a representation of the attitudes and events of the 8 ½ years leading up to 911 and as a film to understand our enemy in the war on terrorism the film is important. To understand the motivations and there capabilities of our enemies makes this film is invaluable and should be watched by every American.

We are NOT dealing with a rag tag group of Gorilla worriers who ride camels and herd sheep. Our enemy is highly educated, imaginative, and ruthless, and bent on the destruction or conversion of America to Islam. Nothing less. I was surprised by their use of technology, including advanced computer encryption techniques, and advanced explosives capabilities. I was also surprised by the internationality of the conflict and the vast efforts of the CIA and FBI.

In the nineties I was oblivious to the terrorism threat as were most Americans. It’s time for us to wake us to this threat. They have been at war with us for over 13 years now, it’s time we became committed to fighting back!

Cartoon by Paul Nowak: townhall.com

Well, I hate partisan politics…. honestly, I do! However, those loony democrates are up to there old tricks.

ABC is planning to release a docu-drama miniseris this Sunday and Monday at 8pm to mark the 5th year aniversary of 911. The miniseries is two parts and reportedly will be aired without commercial interruption. The movie is titled “The Path to 911″ and cronicles the events leading up to the 911 terrorist attacks beginning with the 1993 bombings of the World Trade Center.

From what I have read from the movie reviews that film is based on the 911 commision report, interviews with CIA and FBI agents, among other first hand experiences. The film is said to be as accurate a protrayal of the events of the 8 years leading up to 911 that paints both the Clinton and Bush administrations in a bad light. I think most of us before 911 had little concern about terrorism nor thought it a serious threat, and that appathy exibited itself, for better or worse, in our politians as well. I have no problem with that, it is afterall the electorate that pushes policy, if there is anyone to blame it is the American people. Granted, our Presidents are charged with the duty of protecting us and should carry some of the blame, but it takes a strong, or stupid person, to go against the will of the people.

Why am I ranting about this you may ask? Well, old Bill and Hillary Clinton and there cronies in the US Senate and other places are fighting with all there might of intimidation and pressure for ABC to pull this “docu-drama.” I wonder what they are so anxious to hide?

Almost four years ago Al Qaida attacked us on our soil. Since that day we have become comfortable again, we have returned to shopping and having fun. We have forgotten the danger as we involve ourselves in our busy lives. I think, that’s how it should be, to an extent. Terrorist strategies work in undermining the moral and will of the people, we haven’t let them do that to us. However, have we become so complacent that we have forgotten about the ever present threat? I don’t worry every day that my house is going to burn down, yet I still have smoke alarms and I don’t leave candles and burners unsupervised. The evil of Al Qaida is still burning. Why are we leaving our borders unsupervised? Why don’t we keep better track of who is in our country? Why do we still argue about fighting the enemy on their soil instead of waiting for them to come back over here?

Wake up America! We have been blessed with 4 years of peace in our land! Yes, we are at war, yes our service men and women are dying, but they are keeping the enemy at bay. We can never forget the lessons of 9/11. We can not let our guard down, disable are warning and safety devices, and forget to be vigilant.

My heart goes out to those who have suffered this morning, I ache for those who fell victim to the bombings in Madrid 16 months ago, and I remember in solemnity those who perished on September 11th, 2001.

Wake up America! Lets put our arms around our English friends, lets look forward with steely resolve, and let us unite to conquer the enemies of peace, democracy, and freedom. Al Qaida may glory in carnage today, but we will Not let them win.

May God Bless America and all of his children.

God Bless America

September 11th :3 years later I didn’t even realize that today was going to mark three years since a tremendous tragedy, until yesterday, and that made me feel so ashamed. I think back to 3 years ago and the pain, loss and tragedy that happened in our country. I think back to 2 years ago and the prayers and remembrances. And even last year, there was a beautiful memorial, telecasted all day long.

Yesterday I wrote the date on the top of my notes for class: 10 Sept 2004… and that was the first time I realized what day it was soon going to be. I was so embarrassed when I realized that I called myself a patriot, and had almost forgotten the day that caused me to turn to that portion of my heart. I felt selfish as I watched a report on the children in Beslan, Russia… over 300… dead…. and hardly anyone seems to care.

I wonder if patriotism can extend beyond a love for our country and become a love for all mankind. I found myself wanting to tell the Russian man featured on a small, seemingly insignificant, CNN report, who had lost his three children and his wife recently in the explosion of a school that it will be okay. “I’m sure you think it will,” he might say. “When it happened to you, everyone actually cared.” In remembrance of what happened to us, let’s pull outside of ourselves… just this once.

A child in Calcuta, India, prays for the release of the children in Russia.

Yes, a terrible thing happened to us, and we wailed and gnashed our teeth. Why, when it happens to others, do we not expect ourselves to care the way we expected to be cared about? Just a thought… God bless America…. God bless all mankind. God bless us to use His blessing to serve our brothers and sisters everywhere.

That is my prayer on this day : 3 years later. Find a new meaning to patriotism.

Tiffany