On September 11, 2001 the
world suddenly became a much sadder and more dangerous place. In one awful moment
our televisions brought to our unbelieving eyes what our minds could not
immediately comprehend. Like a young soldier shot before our eyes, the World
Trade Towers to collapsed in a final sigh of violent death. Not only steel
seemed to fail, but hope itself. Open, bold, and brash, New York had reached
for the sky with innocent vigor, inspiring the nation and the world with the
potential of freedom made real. The spirit of America had soared with the
skyline of New York City for over a century. In a few short minutes the labor
of generations turned to dust. As our thoughts began to form we struggled with
disbelief. Like the rescuers, we groped through blinding clouds of acrid smoke
with hopeless futility. What had been important only yesterday became vague,
dimly remembered nostalgia. Everything we had been focused on as a nation
became suddenly trivial. New York, a city many American’s had previously
regarded with suspicion became everyone’s city, the heart of the American
heartland. The Big Apple had been hurt and the entire country cried out in
pain. Its Mayor became America’s Mayor. Nothing in the experience of three
generations of societal division had prepared us for the sudden solidarity we
felt with the fallen. Fear and grief washed over us like a tidal wave, drowning
our personal lives, redefining us in ways yet unknown. We struggled with the
etiquette of grief as tears became normal among strong men and women struggling
to be brave. Comparisons to Pearl Harbor seem quaint. One would have had to have
been an animal living in a cave not to feel the grief which seemed to black out
the sun like the column of bitter smoke rising over the funeral pyre of
thousands on those a brilliant September days. Now we know war.
When
we emerged from our disbelief we knew what magnificent innocence we had lost.
Such innocence will never exist so perfectly again. Many wept openly with loss.
The loss was enormous in so many different ways, in lives, property, and money.
But more importantly, we lost a subconscious sense of security we had not even
been aware of. We mourn its loss almost as much as we mourn the dead. But let
us remember we have endured much. We will endure this. We are basically strong
and healthy, strong enough to bear this and carry on.
The Firemen, Police and
people of New York have shown how this will be done. Only the flag could have looked so perfect in that now famous
photo of the firemen raising the flag over the ruins of the World Trade Center.
Once again the flag, as it has so often done before, gave hope in the midst of
ruin. It is testimony to the faith and courage of those who have carried it
before that the flag can give strength even in times of such forlorn hope.
Faith in the flag is not
misplaced. If America were to disappear tomorrow, it will be still be
remembered as the greatest experiment in freedom ever attempted and it will
never be forgotten. America has changed the forever the estimation of what is
possi e for humanity to achieve and will remain a beacon of hope for all humanity
who struggle in darkness and despair. But let us, in the face of a wounded New
York, remain conscious of the weight of responsibility such heritage requires.
We are not the first American’s to suffer and most of us have known suffering
in our personal lives. We know we have often been made stronger by adversity.
We cannot indulge the in luxury of grief forever or let this event determine
the fate of the living. We will come out the other side of these events
stronger than ever. The seriousness of these events demands it.
As a writer, I have often
invoked patriotic pride to counter balance the cynicism of the post-Vietnam
era. I have seen the flag fly proudly over an age that will not end with the
collapse of the World Trade Towers. So far I have borne witness to many, more
serious, even grimmer situations. In the last twenty years have seen the flag
fly over terrorism, political crisis, stock market crashes, war in the Persian
Gulf, the fall of communism, six Presidents and a period of great prosperity. I
have seen the strength of the flag sustained by all races, regions, and classes
in America. The flag has responded to their faith. It is trusted. This is the
greatest strength and most certain defense we have. We must not undermine this
trust with senseless slaughter or irrational acts of vengeance. But let our
enemies be warned, it will be defended. The blood of millions has made it
sacred.
Nothing has happened in my
lifetime to change my mind about the basic worthiness of Old Glory or her citizens.
Though loyalty to the flag has often been exploited, I have never regretted any
contribution I may have made to the revitalization of its power. I have never
seen it’s hope, innocence, and promise completely deformed. It has a wonderfully youthful resilience.
I think the world has been
made to recognize that their future is tied to America’s future. Our influence
is not the result of design but better the result of hard earned success and
the natural esteem we have garnered through our efforts to assume a role worthy
of our power. We do not desire to conquer but only to defend the liberty and
justice for all. We have and will, prove worthy of trust. Many very fine
Americans understand my confidence. We, of course, are in the service of the
President in these matters.
Not only Americans esteem our
flag. Others in the world sympathize with the struggles of this new power,
which has a desire and willingness to see that things turn out right. We have
many friends in this evolving goal. I would particularly like to thank the
European community for its strong declaration of support. Also the reaction of
Iran and China has also been noted and appreciated. Russia too is obviously
deeply moved by our suffering. We thank our many other friends who have expressed
their sympathy.
Fortunately President Bush
and his advisors are up to the task of dealing with this crisis. The steps
taken so far seem to be both reasonable and effective. This is a pattern we
must strive to continue until justice is served. Indicative of the maturity of
those involved there is no sense of panic within this administration. Petty
bureaucratic infighting has ceased, at least publicly; indicating everyone
realizes this is no time for petty bickering. Even though the country is wounded
and seriously aggravated, cooperation with the President in these matters is
the most important contribution we can make at this time.
Bush seems to be good at
maintaining National focus. In doing so he is making himself extremely useful.
We all appreciate the way he has stepped up to these trying times. I cannot
think of a better qualified group of people to cope with this attack on the
country. Powell and Cheney are experts in this region. Now with a mandate to
establish peace they will hopefully move with force and vigor in this crisis of
our lives. We need to refresh our vision of the Middle East in the light of
events and understand the risks we face as a nation. We must do all we can
insure this is a single incident. To this end we must admit our vulnerability.
All the flags in the world cannot protect us from havoc. We live in a
technologic environment full of potentially destructive energy sources. These
are highly susceptible to sabotage. The truth of this needs no further
demonstration, for either us or for would be terrorists.
Do not underestimate the
strength of our enemies. Osama Bin Laden hides in a country whose technological
infrastructure has long ago been destroyed by war. He is hidden therefore
invulnerable. We are nakedly exposed. He thinks like a warrior and leader. He
exploits our weaknesses effectively and defends himself with the only weapon he
has which can frustrate us, concealment. We are a very long ways from capturing
this man or destroying his network. He has proven himself to be patient,
diabolical, well defended, and effectively murderous. More over, he is deeply
conscious of the underlying conflicts between Islam and the West. His beliefs
have the validity of a warrior’s among his people. We plead with the leaders of
Islam to discredit his ideology as well as his methods. Bin Laden’s purpose is
to start all-out war between Islam and the West and he has come very close to
achieving that. I ask all Muslims to ask themselves if they wish this outcome.
I do not believe legitimate Islam wants this, nor do we. Bin Laden does. If he
accomplishes this, we all lose. Help us. He has the tactical advantage; he
intends only to destroy from the shadows. This is easier than maintaining the
strategic balance we must. This one incident has shown all who care about these
things that war between the West and Islam is possible. I appeal to Islam to
light the shadows so we are not afraid.
In a world we have come to
dominate by our success, it is perhaps unavoidable we should become the target of
those discontented with the world as it has evolved. I think serious people in
the world realize the United States has no desire to subjugate, but what will
happen after 2 or 3 such incidents have
occurred. Like a helpless giant we find ourselves clumsily trying to
swat a fly but let our enemies be
warned, this perception will disappear quickly. We have more strength than our
enemies can imagine. Those who have done this will never rest again until they
are killed or preferably, captured. They do not really comprehend the power
that is about to descend on them. They will be as surprised by our
implacability as we were by their ruthlessness.
Hatred for America has
obviously gained far too much influence in Islam. We must seek to mitigate the underlying
causes for this hatred, wherever and whenever we have the power to do so. While
acting to protect ourselves from immediate danger and pursue our enemies, we
must in this pivotal moment, extend to our Muslim brethren the hand of
gentleness and peace. We must not only bind our wounds and but heal the wounds
of others when and where we can. God is most certainly watching. If we are
unable to show grace, if we only exchange savagery for savagery we will set a
precedent which will undermine the future of civilization long and short term.
I believe all religious faiths understand this. We are the children of Abraham,
God’s witness to his mercy. Pray we are worthy. Let all be aware what
consequence their actions may have and take steps with care. If there is to be
war, let our virtue first equal or exceed the might of our weapons so we may in
the end, know peace.
September 28, 2001
Works from before:
An Appeal For Grants to Develop
a Private Refugee response system.
