It has been termed as the defining moment in our Nation’s history. A dark and deadly day that showed the dedication of our enemies, and the lengths they would go to in order to kill Americans. The anger at such an atrocity was palpable, and no words were needed in order to voice them.
It was our Allies that came to the airwaves like England’s Prime Minister Tony Blair giving the moment texture and showed us who our friends truly were, “…our profound solidarity with the American people. We were with you at the first. We will stay with you to the last.” Turkey rose and evoked the NATO bond that, “An attack upon one, is an attack upon all.” While the French, who has had its ups and downs with the US said, “We are all Americans.”
We were left with the bumblings of George W Bush, who was more interested on how event could be used for his personal, and political gain, and that of his party. We righteously attacked Afghanistan and the Taliban Regime that gave Bin Laden and his followers sanctuary and a base of operations which such attacks could be planned and executed.
What then occurred was a man who was so deathly afraid to be compared to his father, that he sought to minimize and distance himself from the man. Bush II along with his political advisors, who had never seen combat, ignored the one political adviser who had hands on experience in dealing with Iraq, and the plan to finish the job that Desert Storm started was launched.
While the cost of this error in judgment has cost Billions in treasury, thousands of lives, and the political careers of truly decent men such as Senator Max Cleland, the worst causality has been of justice itself. For those who were ultimately responsible for the attacks upon our country were not to be held accountable for their actions. This Administration put itself and the Republican Party’s lust for political power above the United States need for Justice.
W then came to say that it the goal of the international community to eradicate terrorists with a global reach, meaning those who are able to strike US targets. In his Presidential Campaign, Senator John Kerry said it was necessary for the US to make it so that terrorists are limited to only attacking US targets on foreign soil. We was ridiculed by the conservatives for accepting any terrorist attacks and therefore unfit to lead. Somehow he did not live up to the very high standard of professionalism that our current President has set.
Bush held his hold on power and thus felt that he was above the Constitution that he swore an oath to “preserve protect and defend” to the very God he pretends to hold so dear. Instead of holding ourselves to be the very best, as is the American Tradition, Bush authorized “interrogation” techniques that only appeal to the very worst of human nature. He allowed his subordinates to use any means necessary to subvert those who criticized his policies, leaking the secret identity of a CIA agent, even if it may further weaken our country’s national defense.
Six years we have been in this war, and have only hollow spectacles of “Mission Accomplished”. Six years and we have the execution of a man, who was evil, but in no way responsible for the tragic events of that day. Six years and we have no true monument to defy those who see the incomplete skyline and can still feel they are victorious. Six years that day is still being used as a slogan for political gain, rather than a reason for a political revolution.
Words have more meaning when they are used less often. It is in that way they hold power that can make people stop their petty bickering and partisan politics. Instead Bush and his cronies used words to sharpen those arguments and have Americans questioning their neighbors loyalty and patriotism if they did not agree with him.
What is loathsome to think is that it was that very outcome that the terrorists wanted. For the US to be in omnipresent fear, shred the Constitution a little bit, and to lower the standard of human dignity. If so then Bush played into their hands beautifully, and gave them two fronts from which our enemies can kill Americans. The fact that this Administration still plays political gamesmanship with rhetoric meant to divide, show me that Bush and his party was never interested in A Serious War On Terror.
