In a way, it is probably just as well that the terrorists who took down the World Trade Center and the Pentagon obviously did not understand America. History shows we have always been very hesitant to use our might against anybody. We were very slow to enter World War II. We did not enter the war until the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. After that, the Japanese Admiral who carried out that dastardly attack said: "I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant."
Let's face it ... the terrorists tried to take out the World Trade Center once before, but they failed, so we (the American people) let it slide. They killed our Marines in Beirut, and our sailors on the U. S. S. Cole ... but we let it slide. They could probably have done this kind of thing for the next 20 years, and we would have been aggravated, but I doubt we would have taken any severe actions. That's America.
Our adversaries misread us, and they are wrong about America in one other aspect, also. They think if we don't solve this thing quickly, we will turn against our leaders. They don't understand us. We are in this thing to win, no matter how long it takes. Several thousand innocent Americans have already lost their lives in this battle.
We will not let them die in vain. The terrorists thought they would intimidate us, but what they did was unify us. They have awakened a sleeping giant.
That was a Chronicle from just after 9-11. I have been watching the news lately... story after story critical of President Bush and the war in Iraq. Liberal politicians and news commentators saying the price of staying in Iraq is too high. Reports from polling that says support for the President's policies is dropping. And I have this haunting thought: were the terrorists right? Do we in America lack the courage to see this war against terrorism through? Whatever happened to the attitude of an American hero who said "Let's Roll."?
This is Gordon Sawyer, and may the wind always be at your back.
Thursday
August 7th, 2025
11:37AM
