2008 Woodie Awards
9/11 left the U.S. with more than just short lived tragedy
Patrick Carney '08
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 2 next >
Last week, Robert Mateja wrote about the lack of importance September 11 has in our history. In fact, he believes the Civil War was the worst tragedy in American history. However, these atrocities took place in a defined wartime setting between two rival militaries. On September 11, men, women, and children were killed at work, on airplanes, and on the ground trying to rescue their fellow Americans.
Mateja continues, "The only thing that upsets me about 9/11 is the hysteria that followed on our own part." Am I missing something, or did nearly 3,000 people perish at the hands of radical Islamic terrorists on that day? Unlike Mateja, 3,000 dead and wounded American civilians upsets me.
Contrary to what Mateja would have you believe in his opinion column last week, the world, not just the United States, changed on September 11. The ensuing invasion of Afghanistan was supported worldwide and involved soldiers from 19 countries. If the world was not changed on September 11, why would Great Britain, Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Netherlands, Italy, Romania, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Australia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Poland, Portugal, and South Korea send troops to Afghanistan to support the United States wage war against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda?
The September 11 attacks changed the mindset of America and our allies, which resulted in President George Bush and then Prime Minister Tony Blair placing pressure on Libya to dismantle its WMD program. The result was Col. Moammar Gadhafi agreeing "to immediately and unconditionally allow inspectors from international organizations to enter Libya."
The fact is the world did change. America realized she was no longer protected by oceans and friendly neighbors. Our allies realized they too could be targets in Al-Qaeda's jihad. Madrid was rocked by backpack bombs on its transit system on March 11, 2004. Great Britain was attacked on July 7, 2005 with bombs on the London Underground and buses. America was attacked on September 11, 2001. Within four years, both Spain and Great Britain were the target of terrorism. Now, police officers with automatic weapons stand in the Underground and on the streets in countries across Europe.
Mateja continues, "The only thing that upsets me about 9/11 is the hysteria that followed on our own part." Am I missing something, or did nearly 3,000 people perish at the hands of radical Islamic terrorists on that day? Unlike Mateja, 3,000 dead and wounded American civilians upsets me.
Contrary to what Mateja would have you believe in his opinion column last week, the world, not just the United States, changed on September 11. The ensuing invasion of Afghanistan was supported worldwide and involved soldiers from 19 countries. If the world was not changed on September 11, why would Great Britain, Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Netherlands, Italy, Romania, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Australia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Poland, Portugal, and South Korea send troops to Afghanistan to support the United States wage war against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda?
The September 11 attacks changed the mindset of America and our allies, which resulted in President George Bush and then Prime Minister Tony Blair placing pressure on Libya to dismantle its WMD program. The result was Col. Moammar Gadhafi agreeing "to immediately and unconditionally allow inspectors from international organizations to enter Libya."
The fact is the world did change. America realized she was no longer protected by oceans and friendly neighbors. Our allies realized they too could be targets in Al-Qaeda's jihad. Madrid was rocked by backpack bombs on its transit system on March 11, 2004. Great Britain was attacked on July 7, 2005 with bombs on the London Underground and buses. America was attacked on September 11, 2001. Within four years, both Spain and Great Britain were the target of terrorism. Now, police officers with automatic weapons stand in the Underground and on the streets in countries across Europe.
Be the first to comment on this story