8 years ago today, our Nation was suddenly and deliberately attacked by Al-Quaida. For this generation, it was the most devastating, and most significant, day that any of us have ever seen.
8 years later, we are still at war with Al-Quaida, much to the dismay of the majority of our citizens. It has obviously been a tough 8 years, from rebuilding from ground zero to fighting one of the worst stock-market crashes since that fateful October day in 1929. It was hard for me to see so many people bash on Bush and his administration because of the calls he made; he was one of my favorite Presidents because of the way he handled 9/11 and the events that took place after.
Now with Obama in office, I was worried he would pull our troops out as soon as he could, but to my great surprise, I read an article on MSNBC.com last night stating that Obama is still very much in the business of finishing this war, and wants to not only keep fighting in Afghanistan and end Bin Laden's reign over Al-Quaida, but to also find better ways to keep our Nation protected so this type of tragedy never happens again. Yes, never is a really, really long time, but I am actually impressed with how Obama is handling this situation - so far.
(Here is the link to that article on MSNBC)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32783395/ns/us_news-911_eight_years_later/
The thing that caught me off-guard was the fact that he has had disagreements with his administration on the direction this war needs to go. It seems to me that his administration thinks it's unwise to stay in the Middle East because of what the general public has to say. Kudos to Obama for sticking to his guns on what I believe is the right decision.
Time heals all wounds, and evidently also makes people forget. Although, sometimes it's hard to forget the terror of such a day as 9/11. It's hard to forget the panic. It's hard to forget the pain. It's hard to forget the selflessness. It's hard to forget the goodness. It's hard to forget the patriotism. It's hard to forget the tears shed by grown men and women. It's hard to forget the heroes that gave up their lives to save another. It's hard to forget how the United States of America pulled together to defend their Nation. Our Nation. It's hard to forget the soldiers fighting to ensure our freedom. Above all, it's hard to forget the people waving the flag across the US, waving a flag that I love, a flag that I trust.
These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our Nation into chaos and retreat, but they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people have been moved to defend a great Nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. 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.
-President George W. Bush
No comments:
Post a Comment