America is at war. Whether we should be is no longer an issue. But why we must be at war is an important issue needing examination.
Exactly one month ago our world forever changed. It was a peaceful Tuesday morning with students attending class, parents off to work and America feeling relatively safe. Then, without notice, America was attacked'on our own soil with our own planes'the most deadly attack on American soil since the Civil War.
The shock of these attacks has not left most of us. It has subsided enough that we can try to go on with our daily routines. For days though, I thought of nothing but the innocent victims. The children in the day care, playing and bringing joy to their parents. The stockbrokers, tourists, janitors and everyone else who were just going through the morning, working to make a living or exploring a new city. After the attacks, police officers and firefighters risked their lives trying to save people and contain the disaster. Many of them died as well in the line of duty.
After the attacks, most Americans came together in unity'to talk about what happened, try to comprehend, grieve and think of how fortunate some of us were to not have family members or friends who were killed. I did as much with a close friend. For me, it was particularly frightening because, like many college students, I worked in Washington, D.C., this summer. I knew people who interned in the Pentagon, and I interned in one of the suspected target buildings.
Americans have talked about defending our country, and we have stressed the need for a thoughtful response. Our government tried to get the Taliban to turn over the perpetrators of these attacks and the Taliban refused'lying to us at times, simply belligerent at others.
Americans don't want to live in fear and the only way to defeat fear is to look it in the eye.
This past weekend, U.S. and British forces began attacks on the Taliban. Reports say that many Taliban leaders have already been killed. There have been a few innocent civilian casualties'including four U.N. workers'but thus far, the attacks have been successful. However, bin Laden and the Taliban will almost certainly try to retaliate. Bin Laden said as much in his chilling taped interview played over the weekend.
Our strength is our unwillingness to give up fighting for our cherished freedoms. This will be a long war. We have committed ourselves and now must remain until the end, though it may require sustained efforts for the next few years.
Today at noon on the steps of Memorial Union there will be a rally for everyone to show support for America. The 'America United Rally' will bring together students, government officials, professors, police officers, firefighters and American men and women, including those who proudly wear and have worn their uniforms to defend our country. This rally is not political in nature. It is a rally for citizens to unite and remember the innocent victims and the American heroes who gave their lives to save others. Please show your support, and united we shall stand.
