My fellow Americans.... by JB (aojunkie3@hotmail.com)

Like many of you, I watched with disbelief, revulsion, shock, sadness and anger the events of the past Tuesday. The tragic deaths of over five thousand of our fellow citizens, in such a violent and cruel manner, has left a gaping hole in the heart of a country.

We shall heal though, and grow stronger than before, for America is not something that can be destroyed. Level our cities, plunder our wealth, ravage our land, kill our citizens, and yet, America will survive. America is not the insubstantial, transient, physical things of this world. Rather, America is an idea, unshakeable as the mountains, eternal as the universe, that says, 'freedom'. And so long as one man or woman breathes and in their chest beats a heart longing for freedom, America will endure.

Though the loss of even one precious life brings great sorrow, last tuesday was not the darkest day in our nations history. That sad distinction belongs to another September day, 139 years removed from us. On a single day 23,000 Americans fell, killed and wounded, casualties in a great and fearsome battle, a battle in a war for the very soul of a nation. On September 11 we entered another war, a struggle not merely for the heart of our nation, but a contest for the soul of the civilized world. As the soldiers who fell at Antienam fighting to preserve the Union did not make their sacrifice in vain, it is upon us, the survivors, to ensure that those who perished in the tragic events of Tuesday shall not have fallen for nothing. It is incumbent upon us, as Americans, that we unite and stand as one people, in defiance of those who would attack our very way of life.

We bring to this fight a resolution and determination that all those who planned, supported, and helped carry out this mass murder be brought to justice. There can be no pity, no understanding, no mercy for the guilty. Male or female, old or young, great or small, every individual involved must perish from this earth.

We must not go this course alone. Though we are strong, and have the might and capability to do so, we must not, we cannot act unilaterally. While this vicious attack occured on our soil, against our buildings, and against our people, it is a blow, not just against America, but against all of civilized humanity. The world has responded with a show of support unparalleled in recent times. Allies, friends, and even recent enemies have overwhelmingly condemed this act of barbarism and stand in solidarity with us against this reign of terror. America must, at all costs, act together with the international community in fighting this war so that we might strengthen the bonds of friendship and unity throughout the world, so that we shall be victorious not only in this crisis, but in crises to come.

There have been distrurbing reports of a backlash against Americans of Arab descent. This must not be. We must not, we cannot, give in to the fear and anger, lest we ourselves become as hateful and evil as those who perpetrated Tuesday's horror. Some say that America is great because of its diversity. This is not true. America stands as a bright beacon to the world because it holds to the eternal truth that to every individual belongs the right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As testament to this fact America is home to one of the most diverse societies the world has ever known. From all over the globe, including the Middle East, people have struggle and continue to strive to journey to this land for hope of a better life for themselves and their families. The vast, vast majority of these immigrants and recent arrivals are hardworking, honest, caring citizens, loyal to America and her ideals, and worthy of our respect and friendship.

When dealing with the people of the Middle East, we cannot ignore the facts of history. Most areas of this region have attained self governance only in relatively recent times. Genuine democracies are young and few and far between. Many countries have been plauged with strongmen and dictators, petty kings who have brought pain and suffering upon their own people. Entire generations have known only war, poverty, and suffering. There is, as a result of these conditions, a large number of fanatics; evil, hateful, individuals who commit wickedness in God's name and use religion as a crutch while disseminating their bitterness. We cannot, however, judge all Arabs or even Islam for the actions of this minority. The vast majority of people in those lands are just like you and me, desirous of only the chance to live a peaceful and productive life.

When we respond to this heinous attack upon us with military action we must use restraint and ensure that our blows are effective and precise. To fully rid ourselves of these terrorist networks we will undoubtedly have to target, not just individuals, but governments, military forces, and even world leaders. We must ensure however, that our power is not directed against the common people, the majority of whom are innocent, and who themselves are suffering and living in terror at the hands of these individuals. And once we have ground the serpents head of terror under our heel, and for a time purged the world of its stain, we must show the peoples of the Middle East that we care for them, not for their oil, but because of our common humanity. We must bring the same might and determination that we bring against terror to help all peoples live in greater freedom.

But that time is not yet, and at present a grevious sadness still weighs heavy on our hearts. Neither words of comfort nor time shall ever fully heal the wounds of our hearts. Let us be determined though, to remember those fallen, not for the manner of their death, but for the manner of their life, for the joy they brought to us each moment we were together, for the sacredness and wonder of the life they helped bring into this world. Christ said, 'no man hath greater love than this, that he should sacrifice his life on behalf of his fellows.' So let us remember with pride and gratefulness the courage of the passengers on United Airlines 93, who, knowing death was imminent, showed the greatest love of all and saved the lives of countless hundreds of strangers whom they would never know. Let us honor the uncommon valor of the firefighters and police who went beyond duty's call and perished while trying to save the lives of others. Let us recall with tenderness those in the tower and on the planes, who, knowing escape was impossible, phoned their family to say, 'I love you', just one last time.

And when the sadness fades and is replaced by an angry, unyielding, thirst for vengeance, let us not lose our grasp on our humanity. There is an unquestionable certainty that those who were party to this act must pay the ultimate price, but we must execute justice with a cold,impassionate hand, lest in our anger and lust for vengeance we turn into the very horrors that they have become. We are at war and it is a war that we shall win, completely and convincingly. While this war is righteous, let us not delude ourselves into thinking that it is glorious. There may be bravery on the field, valor in the air, acts of courage and heroism on the sea, but even when the fight is for justice, there is no glory to be had in war. No matter how just or neccessary it is, that a man should take the life of another is degrading, defiling, debasing to all that we are and can be as human beings. So then, when, at the end, the dark cloud of terror which has reached out and touched our nation is swept away by our guns, when evil has been torn asunder by our bombs, when the world is cleansed of terrorism with the blood of our most precious, let us weep again. Let us cry for those who allowed hate and anger to control their destiny, to strip away all that may have been good in their human nature, and to become such animals that their destruction was necessary for the sake of civilization.

And when all is said and done, let us not forget how we were, as a people, in the hours and days following this tragedy. Keep alive the spirit of unity, of brotherhood, of compassion, of love. There is no bomb, no weapon of destruction, no force of this earth, that is greater in power than the will of a people united in thought and purpose. When this crisis passes, let us not slide back into apathy and indifference, into the self indulgence and all consuming materialism of our lives. Let us remain, as a people, as a nation, as a family, united in purpose and committed to action so that we shall make America even greater and so that she shall remain forever the shining hope of the people of the world.

God bless you and God Bless America.

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