That is not an easy position for us to accept. This nation began its history by saying "let Europe fight its own battles." We were oceans apart back then. We were late in entering World War I, and only joined World War II when brutally attacked at Pearl Harbor. We tend to appease other nations, fighting only when pushed too far. And yet we are now the single world power that can enforce peace in the world.
9-11 told us forcefully that we must accept the role of world leader ... that we must become pro-active against, rather than a reluctant reactor to, attacks from tyrants. For America that is not easy to accept, but we now know we must lead or face more tragedies like 9-11. The question is no longer what will happen if we do something; the question is what will happen if we don't. Whether we like it or not, America's time for world leadership has come. God Bless America.
This is Gordon Sawyer, and may the wind always be at your back.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/12/119620