9/11 — The Five Year Anniversary

A message from FDR’s Ghost:

“Five years ago, On September 11th, 2001–a date which will live in infamy–the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by terrorist forces of Al Qaeda…always will our whole Nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces- with the unbounding determination of our people- we will gain the inevitable triumph- so help us God. “

I hear a lot that President Bush has squandered the good will of the world since 9/11 and that he is the reason America is so divided five years later. Ask yourself this: two years from now, when President Bush leaves office, will the new President suddenly be facing a reunited American public, just waiting for Bush to leave office so they can shake hands, and hold candles again?

Nearly 40% of Americans strongly disliked FDR and his New Deal policies. But when World War II started, Americans united through very difficult times to fight and defeat a common enemy. There were many setbacks. Generals and Admirals made mistakes. Thousands of American servicemen lost their lives, sometimes in error. Atrocities occurred. Civilians in enemy areas were killed by the hundreds of thousands.

Still, the press rooted for America to win. The Republicans supported the Commander in Chief. The American people endured terrible personal losses and made whatever financial sacrifices were requested of them by their leaders in Washington. If you don’t think there were strong philosophical differences in America back then, you’re kidding yourself. But we remained united.

What has changed since 1941?

This country is facing a crisis of confidence–an existential threat like no other in our history. Our enemy is waging an extremely clever and determined asymmetrical war against us. We have a cancer growing in America and they know just how to feed it. Americans as a whole are no longer sure of their own greatness. Many of us no longer believe in our exceptionalism. If there is ever to be a second Dark Age on this planet, it will begin the day the light goes out in America.

This week TWR [The Wingard Report] is dedicated to the victims of 9/11…lest we forget their brutal and terrifying murder five years ago.

TWR is also dedicated to the nearly 3,000 service men and women who have given their lives since 9/11 trying to kill Muslim fanatics and engage them where they live, so our enemies have less time to plot to kill us where we live.

Finally, TWR is dedicated to the thousands of service men and women who have sacrificed a part of their healthy bodies in Afghanistan and Iraq to liberate men, women and children, and to give people a chance at freedom.

When you see a soldier…walk up and say thank you.

This article is one of many in a series called the Wingard Report by Matt Wingard. To get a email copy of this report and its many articles contact Matt at [email protected].