Like many Americans, I have been stunned by the ferocity of the attacks on the WTC and Pentagon. How could seemingly intelligent human beings condemn themselves to eternal damnation through mass murder in the hopes of pleasing their God? What have we done to these people to become the symbol of such a fiery hatred that they would gladly end their lives while committing such heinous acts?
In search of the answers, I have sought out available articles and opinions from supporters of these acts. Here is a summary of what I can glean:
- America blindly supports Israel.
- America meddles in affairs of other countries.
- America fights anyone who challenges its world position.
- America corrupts world morality.
I thought above writing a thoughtful, intellectual response to each of the above charges. I would have shown how America has always come to the aid of those in distress; how our people are saps for a sad story; how our sense of right and justice dominates our thoughts; how our love of Democracy makes us evangelists of World Freedom.
Instead, let me touch on another aspect of America. I would like to talk about our deep sense of justice. I believe that the best response to "Why would someone do this to us?" is another question: "Do they really realize what they are in for?"
Americans pride themselves on being a fair and just people. Our laws and customs derive from the outrage of repression in the colonial days. Forged by invasion in 1814, strained by Civil War, steeled by surprise ambush and Nazi evil, tested by doubt in Vietnam, and finally reaffirmed in repelling Kuwait's rapists, our sense of justice has evolved and deepened over the years. We have searched our souls while wrestling with our own internal injustices in slavery and prejudice.
We have, many times, reluctantly taken on the role of ensurer of freedom in other nations. Sometimes, these efforts have been interpreted as self-serving, vain, and imperialistic. Sometimes, these efforts were misguided, unrealistic, and occasionally simply wrong. Underlying all these endeavors, right and wrong, was a sense that America has a duty, nay, an obligation, to uphold righteousness and freedom of all men.
America is the land of plenty. Americans work hard, but are very fortunate to live in a society where hard work mixed with a little luck can result in a very comfortable living. We apologize for neither our society nor our success. We are happy to share our success, having planted the seeds of successful Democracy and capitalism in former vanquished foes, which have flourished into vibrant societies.
Non-Americans have for many years either envied or emulated our society. Many have attempted to discover the secret of our success. They cannot understand why a people so seemingly laid back, almost apathetic at times, could be so wealthy, happy, and successful. Some have reached the conclusion that America thrives only because we feed off the efforts of others, repress emerging nations, retain all the worlds wealth. These people have never discovered the true secrets of America.
One of those secrets of America is about to be revealed. Americans are slow to anger, not through apathy, but through this deep sense of justice. However, once aroused, we change from the cheerful, happy, sometimes obnoxious 'fat American' to the quietly resolute bulldogs of our forefathers. We are also a society that rewards and idolizes innovation and winners. When attacked, we will endure heartache, sacrifice, and comfort to bring our tormentors to justice.
The combination of tenacious resolution, imaginative problem solving, and deep outrage are a deadly combination. Ask King George. Ask Hitler and Tojo. Ask Stalin and his cronies.
The question is not, why was this murderous criminal act carried out against innocent civilians, nor why Americans can't understand the plight of the terrorists. The question is: how fast can these criminals run, how deep can they burrow, and how long can they avoid the light of day until their final day of reckoning. |
