Tuesday’s terrorist attack poked a deadly hole in America’s protective armor. Unprepared for the horrific scenes playing out before us, we have remained in shock and disbelief. But our collective sorrow is quietly transforming into a solemn and unified determination for vengeance. Last Friday, the United States Congress passed a joint resolution authorizing the use of force against terrorists. Over the weekend, President Bush met with key advisers at Camp David to plot a retaliatory strategy. And around the nation, Americans gathering together in remembrance and hope braced themselves for the long struggle ahead. Today we stand on the verge of War World III and while the urge to fight is strong, the need to proceed thoughtfully and with care must take precedence.
In times of great tragedy when shock turns to sorrow and sorrow quickly turns to rage, we look to our national leaders, to our president, to mitigate our anguish and our fury and to act in agreement with the national and international law that comprise our foreign policy. This is a war like no other. Our faceless enemies willingly forego demands and negotiations for cowardly acts designed to exact the most unthinkable harm on the most innocent people. So we turn now to a level-headed leader to guide us safely into the unknown.
Along with sophisticated weaponry, reliance on intelligence contacts and communication and cooperation with our allies, civilians here at home have a critical part to play as well. Previously terrorist attacks have temporarily led to more stringent airline security. But while we willingly accept longer delays and unexpected searches at airports around the country for the immediate future, the approaching holidays and America’s collectively short attention span make sustained tightened security difficult. We must be patient and put our faith and support behind the people whose job it is to protect us for a long time to come.
Finally, in this arduous fight against terror we must return to and keep safe the traditions and the very foundations that have shaped our country and that will continue to outlast any heinous act of aggression in the future. In Congress and around the nation, let’s keep the forum for debate open. The same faith in freedom and ideas that ensures our survival, today will also ensure our victory.
