Three Years Later

Waking me up, I was told that two planes had just slammed into the side of the Twin Towers in New York. I was up immediately and ran to see the images replay on the TV. This was wrong. It was terrible. I knew it immediatly. Some people thought that maybe it was another rogue country attacking America. Just like Pearl Harbor. But eventually we found out different, of course. I knew right away our country was going to war.

The government wouldn't put up with this under any circumstances. The world had changed forever and I feared we were heading to darker times. And we were, more or less. People were going to take opposite sides on how to handle this whole thing. But then, we were all frightened together. We feared the future of our country. And we still should, more or less.

There is no doubt in my mind that the terrorists had their victory. I am not afraid to say it. They won, and we failed. It couldn't be clearer. America lost that day. We lost three thousand people, two magnificent and hopeful buildings. We suffered a great loss, the greatest on American soil.

But also, I strongly believe the loss on September 11th, 2001 inspired us that we could win tommorow. Together, not as Democrats, not as Republicans, but Americans, we were confident we could recover from our loss and stand proud and that we can do better.

We started by bravely saving as many Americans in the towers as much as possible, sending money and gifts, and prayers to New York and its people which suffered so much.

Now the real challenge was how to deal with the real threats out there. It was clear that we must, the world was with us and we were emerging as leaders again. Straight back to the drawing board we went, a new drawing board, liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, to find out the ways to make America better.

In a time of caution and crises and repression in fear, we need brave men and women once again. We need innovative ideas to help us see right and wrong. Not only the evils of the world, but things right here in our home. To exercise our rights to the best of our ability is the right way to go. Question authority, and criticizing even the things we love the most is the only way we can make it better. It's something we must do now, before another tradgedy strikes.