Just My Opinion

by Christine Bruun

October 2006

In the past I haven't been very verbal or hands-on when it comes to elections, politics, or our government--that is, until 9/11.  Even then, it has taken me a while to get angry.  It has taken a while to get over the shock, then the grieving, and then the confusion.  There has been a lot of tears, confusion, astonishment, and anger.  The anger has risen to the top.  And, I do understand that this is all part of the grieving process.  I haven't gotten to the acceptance part and I hope I never do.  Anger is a good motivator and I think anger should stay around for a while. 

I still burst into tears whenever a report or documentary reminds me of the twin towers devastation and loss of life.  I couldn't watch any of the movies made about that fateful day.  My heart was broken then.  My sense of safety and security was forever changed.  I doubt that I will ever feel safe again. I felt the loss of all those lives.  I cried at their never again seeing the sun come up over the New York skyline.  I cried at the children and grandchildren they would never have or see again. 

I never want to forget the pain and the loss of that day in September of 2001.  To forget seems some how disloyal to those who lost their lives that day.  I think my own sense of peace, my balance, my innocence, my naivety was taken from me that moment.  For one day, we all pulled together as we have not done since Pearl Harbor.  It was nice.  It was comforting that we Americans--people of so varied a  financial backgrounds, cultures and races, could, for a brief moment in time, wrap our arms around each other and hold on for dear life.  We cried together.  We mourned together.  We worked together, we watched together.  We even got angry together.  It was magic in the midst of horror.  It was unconditional love in the midst of destruction--and it was real.

Not since Pearl Harbor has our country sustained a direct attack upon our own soil.  Not since Pearl Harbor have our souls been wrenched and torn in grief, not just for the lives lost, but the relaxed and joyful lifestyle we have enjoyed.  My father fought in the tail end of WWII and flew on a B-29 over Korea.  He risked his life that we could enjoy peace.  He risked his life that we could enjoy freedom.  My son joined the army after high school.  He served at Arlington and was responsible for pulling the caskets from the wagon during the burials there.  I am glad that my son doesn't have to endure the sorrows of that ceremony.

The terrorists, (corrupt, barbarian, hate mongers), attacked an unsuspecting country that was going about its own business.  They attacked not military targets, (except for the Pentagon), but civilians--women, children, fathers, grandfathers, sons, daughters, friends, co-workers, grandmothers, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters--citizens of the United States.  There was no hate in the hearts of those who lost their lives at the time the first plane slammed into the first tower.  At the moment of their deaths in the towers, they had no thoughts of revenge, hatred or animosity  towards anyone.  They were not planning a covert action against anyone.  They were not staging an attack against anyone.  They were talking on the phone, talking around the water cooler, showing pictures of their grandchildren to their co-workers, talking to clients, and earning a living for their families.  They were going about their typical day doing the things that they had been doing every day prior to the attack.  It came without warning and for no justifiable reason.

Please explain to me how these non military targets were somehow responsible for their own deaths.  Tell me how a grandmother, looking forward to an upcoming grandchild's birthday somehow deserved death rather than life. Tell me, how did the secretary, pouring over vacation brochures, caused such hatred that she had to die.  Explain how these civilian targets were considered valid targets of annihilation.

Then, tell me how so many of us can put it all aside so easily.  Tell me how we managed to forget.  Tell me why we did not rally into one swift voice of indignant outrage so loud and long that the world shook in fear at our anger.  Tell me why, after all was said and done that our very soul would not be dedicated to stopping these barbarians, these hate mongers from ever being able to do this again to anyone else.  Tell me why the media has taken a biased stand against military action and constantly tried to undermine everything our military does.  Tell me why the world can look the other way and allow the suffering and the death, regardless of the location.  Tell me when we will stop our bickering, cry for our losses, and pick up the battle axe of disgust and rally behind the military until terrorism is wiped from the earth. 

I have been a Democrat my whole life.  However, I am embarrassed to tell anyone that now.  I can tell you the day I became a Republican and why.  It was the day that Daschle's office was attacked with anthrax.  Something happened that day to the Democratic party, starting with Daschle.  Something changed.  The Democrats began saying and doing crazy things.  At first it was just Daschle, then the cancer seemed to spread as they Dems seemed to lose their minds, and in doing so, lost their way.  Their words began to scare me as they turned, like a pack of dogs, upon the President and our leaders.  I watched in shock as they turned on the Republicans and each other.  I listened to the crazy statements and the hate mongering that was splashed all over the news.  I shook my head and asked myself, what is happening?  I was stunned by their insaneness--and afraid for our country.

Since 9/11 the rhetoric has risen to a new low.  The Republicans are not innocent in this.  However, placed against the Democrats, the GOP doesn't even hold a candle. Never have the House and Senate been so enmeshed in partisan politics to the detriment of our success in the fight on terror.  I can only guess as to the outcome during WWII had this same thing happened.  President Kennedy must be turning over in his grave at what is happening.  He was willing to take us to war with the Russians over the Cuban missile crisis.  Only by the grace of God did the Russians back down.  He knew that he had to stand up and protect our country regardless of the possibility of all out war.  He risked it all and the Russians blinked because they knew that Kennedy was not afraid to put his money where his mouth was.  He would do what ever it took to keep us safe, even if it meant war. 

Yes, this is a different kind of war.  However, just because they do not wear the usual military uniforms or align themselves with one particular country, doesn't make then less of a threat.  I would call the black ninja suits they don when they take the head of a journalist as close to a uniform as one can get.  Picking up a gun or planting a bomb is an action of war.  Blowing up Iraqi civilians is an act of war.  Killing our soldiers is an act of war.  What will it take before we stop acting like children and start taking our U.S. citizenship seriously.  No one gets out of this life without dieing.  Death is a fact of life.  Since before our country was formed, our ancestors have fought and died to protect it.  That is why we have the wonderful life we live today.  There are times when one has to stand up for what is right even if it means war--even if it means those who choose to serve our country have to fight and even die in the process.  Nothing comes easy.  Freedom is no different. 

There is plenty of time for debate after we have wiped out the terrorists.  Until then, may God bless our troops, guide our leaders in their decisions, and may we stop our useless ranting and raving and take action.  Remember 9/11!  Is it not as powerful as "Remember the Alamo,"  or "Remember Pearl harbor."  It should be!  And as far as the southern border, Secure it and then deal with the illegals that are already here.  Stop them first!  Then we can focus on what to do next!

After Exxon Mobil's windfall profits this last quarter, despite our having to pay over $3.00 per gallon during that time, I think the billions of dollars of profit they made at our expense is obscene. 

It's Time For a Boycott!

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