Opinion on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on America

Opinion on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on America

Our nation is in a deep state of shock and grief. The idea that unseen enemies, cloaking themselves in blood while invoking the name of God, have attacked our country has pierced America’s collective heart.

We built a nation, winning our independence by the skin of our teeth – yet we prevailed. We began the arduous task of forming a country based on the principles of democracy, freedom and liberty. Later, people came to America through Ellis Island searching for a better life for themselves and their children. America was and is the land of opportunity.

The founders in their wisdom refrained from forming a state religion and banned the democratic government from interfering with the worship of religion. Many have sought refuge to our shores for that reason alone.

Most of us view God as a benevolent God. As we have discovered, some view God as an instrument of destruction, evoking His name for willful and wanton death in their search for power and domination.

Those who corrupt the Muslim religion have pronounced an Islamic Jihad on America. We must remember that these are extremist groups and do not reflect the true Muslim religion. We cannot amplify our wrath at the terrorists’ bizarre interpretation to include those who have no wish to do us harm. Muslims are numerous in this country and are our fellow Americans. Already misplaced violence from our anger has destroyed mosques in the land of the free. If we give in to our anger and strike at targets because of their faith, we are no better than they are and it is not what our country stands for.

We must eradicate terrorist strongholds everywhere if we are to continue sustaining civilization. Barbarians have no country of their own, preferring to hide in small groups like circling sharks to strike from within. Those who have succeeded in denting our country had no idea what our people are made of. They are about to find out. We have strengthened our resolve and will continue to be a diverse nation and continue to do what we can to broker peace to those who have yet to experience it.

We are rising out of the ashes with a very strong and coordinated effort to tame the terrorists, who have no wish to join with society and civilization, but follow a path of destruction. They, who have no concept of what civilization means except for the corrupted rationalizations used to convince themselves that their beliefs are the only true belief. They, who enslave their people with those beliefs, convincing their people to die for a useless cause. It is simply an excuse for power and control. Submission has never been the American Way.

America has paid dearly for our way of life. Global wars and many conflicts have been experienced by virtually every generation. Whenever the United States was looked to for assistance, we were there. Young men and women of almost every generation have given up their lives guarding the principles our founders set forth over 200 years ago.

We are rightfully proud of who we are despite the divisions in political thought, elections, gun control and religion in this country. In times of trouble Americans have always rallied behind each other to stand together against tyranny and despots. This is one of those times. Let us come together, with malice towards no American and a prayer for a swift end to those who breached our shores. We will not be intimidated, and we will fight back.

Kathy Eastwood, September 2001