Six years ago yesterday, the most horrific tragedy in recent American history occurred, the events taking place on United States soil. Each year, citizens relive the events that occurred in New York City via media outlets across the world. Tragic images flash across television screens formulating immense heartbreak among all people. That terrifying day was also the first day of a new era for America, and it began what the government calls the War on Terror.
Plain and simple, that day changed the way each and every one of us went about our daily lives. Sept. 11 opened the nation's eyes to the fact that some people hate America and will do whatever they can to destroy our way of life. If the United States were not engaged in its current combat arenas, America would be under attack and suffering further tragedies.
Since 9/11, there has not been one terrorist attack on American soil. That is because we are winning the War on Terror. American troops have the terrorists surrounded, and therefore they cannot engage our homeland.
I am glad that we are securing our country and protecting innocent Americans. Every soldier deployed overseas chose to join the military, understanding that they would be called upon to protect and serve the Constitution of the United States during a time of war. We are simply a volunteer army manned by citizens from all races and backgrounds.
We are also currently engaged in enemy battles in Iraq with a mobile enemy that has showed us that they can strike anywhere from Africa to Iraq when our guard is down. They have an endless amount of support and money, and can easily communicate via the Internet. We are currently on guard because of our presence in Iraq. Each American life lost has been one saved on American soil. The soldiers who have died overseas are American heroes.
Lee Greenwood wrote a song that goes, "I'm proud to be an American, for at least I know I'm free." I am glad that I'm free, and so are many other citizens of countries around the world.
Six years ago, George Bush delivered one of his most famous speeches. I hope that at this crucial time in our history, we keep these words in consideration.
"This is a day when all Americans, from every walk of life, unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world."
E-mail: jwr8@buffalo.edu
Thank God Bush is almost out of office
By DAN MECCA
Senior Arts & Life Editor
Only six years ago, America was hit with instant tragedy, as thousands of people perished in an utterly ruthless, cold-blooded attack on our great country.
Now, what American wouldn't be angry and vengeful immediately following such a massacre? In the hours after the event, the brave President Bush had a plan of attack, inspiring our nation with tales of war and glory.
For a moment, politics didn't matter, and Americans were united in sorrow, bonded by purpose.
Now here we are, six years later, in Iraq fighting The War on Terror. It turned out that Iraq was not in possession of WMDs, and there never turned out to be any empirical evidence linking Iraq with Al-Qaeda.
But these facts were cleverly overshadowed. As they came into the brutal spotlight, the likes of Rove, Rumsfeld, Cheney and Bush spoke about ridding the world of terror and awful humans like Saddam Hussein.
And so our government marched on, spending billions upon billions on weapon productions. They focused most of the troops in Iraq, all the while cutting taxes for the financial upper-tier in America.
Laws were enacted, such as the Patriot Act, giving the government the right to hold prisoners without trial, question them without indictment or charge.
And when a citizen of our "great democratic country" decides to criticize and protest the government's decisions, words such as "unpatriotic" are tossed in the air and these laws ironically allow officials to ignore the checks-and-balances system that was written over 200 years ago to guarantee American justice.
American citizens like UB Professor Steve Kurtz are held on unsubstantial evidence, the threat of terrorism lurking in the corner of the courtroom.
Many of those who worked on the 9/11 sites, who are now suffering from chemically induced diseases - a reaction from the unsanitary atmosphere - applied for healthcare and treatment they still wait for.
Government officials threaten newspaper journalists to expose confidential sources, using the fear of potential terrorism as a veritable excuse to force a reporter to break their most sacred journalistic right.
This manipulation of fear, credible in that solitary moment after 9/11, has disintegrated into the backdrop of an entire Presidency, fueled by speculation and assumption.
And what about Osama Bin Laden - the man who held himself accountable for the 9/11 attacks in the first place? Do we know where he is or his condition? How close are we to finding him?
In George Washington's Farewell Address, the President finished with a warning against imperialism and overextension. Glad to see this administration has listened so closely to its country's First Father.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
