Sunday is bound to be emotionally tough for most people who love America. We lost our innocence and sense of security 10 years ago. Things have never been the same as they were before the terrorist attacks and never will.
Make no mistake: Nine months after he took office, George W. Bush — who had lost the popular vote for president but won the Electoral College and therefore the presidency, thanks to a questionable decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, and then went on to govern as though he had won a landslide, mandate-producing victory — saw himself sagging in most polls. Let’s be honest: The 9/11 terrorist attacks greatly boosted his presidency, because the horrors of that day unified the nation around Mr. Bush like nothing else could.
Dismiss conspiracy theorists’ claims that Mr. Bush knew about 9/11 beforehand but figured it would help rescue his presidency, and what you have is a president who made it possible for us to reflect on that day a decade later.
Under Mr. Bush’s watch, and now, under Mr. Obama’s watch, we the people clearly are doing something right. An attack by Islamic madmen has not happened, due in large part to the diligence of the CIA, the FBI and cooperation everywhere, including airline passengers.
Yes, removing your socks and shoes and allowing everything on your person to go through a scanner at the airport is a pain in the butt, but when all is said and done, it’s a tiny price to pay for the assurance that your airplane is free of weapons. Ten years after America was brought to her knees, she’s doing OK.
Citizens, remember your heart out on Sunday, and keep up the good work.
Send letters to: [email protected]
