September 11, 2009: Time heals all Wounds

Gallons of ink no doubt have been dedicated to the attacks on September 11, 2001. That attack eight years ago marked one of the darkest days in American history along with December 7, 1941. However, that day also marked one of the brightest days in American history in that people were, quite simply, Americans. American flags were everywhere. The national anthem, God Bless America, and many other patriotic musical settings were played, sung, and performed by people of all colors, creeds, sexual orientations, occupations, etc. in the days following the attacks.

Americans felt vulnerable and very scared. It was a sickening day where the disturbing visuals were on television all day and tears were shed by millions of Americans, this writer included. Airports were closed, sporting events, concerts, and even outdoor sports practices were cancelled. AM radio was not the only place to find in-depth news coverage on the radio. Most of the FM stations also went to affiliates that were covering the developments. When Americans were frightened, they turned to their leaders. Two men rose to this occasion and did not blink when staring directly into the eyes of those that hated them and wanted the death of even more Americans. These men were Rudy Giuliani and George W. Bush.

In the face of these attacks, Mayor Giuliani could have been panicked and disorganized in what was an unprecedented event for New York City. Instead, he assisted the Fire Department of New York and the New York Police Department in some of the most daring and valiant rescues in American history. Giuliani took action and worked the problem.

George W. Bush was reading to a group of schoolchildren when the attacks occurred. He finished reading to them before being briefed on exactly what was occurring and then issued a brief statement before leaving Florida on Air Force One. All of America looked to the White House in one of America’s darkest hours. President Bush also did not blink. He did not panic. He denounced the attackers as cowards and vowed to bring them justice or to bring justice to them. He visited the rescuers at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and organized the efforts to hunt down and get rid of the people that wanted to kill Americans. His approval rating was nearly 90%.

Time tells an interesting story. Eight years ago, who would have cried foul at enhanced interrogation techniques used against terror suspects who may have been involved in the 9/11 attacks or planning another one? Who would have been opposed to tracking the bank records and tapping the phones of suspected terrorists that wanted to create another 9/11? Who would have wanted to prosecute CIA officials that used enhanced interrogation to gain information that would thwart future attacks? Who would want to apologize for American actions of the past to the very people that either approved or did not disapprove of the 9/11 attacks?

Rudy Giuliani did not make it out of the 2008 Republican primaries. When President Bush heard “Hail to the Chief” the final time as the president at Barack Obama’s inauguration, he was booed. President Bush became unpopular while doing exactly what he said he was going to do: protect Americans from another attack. His domestic policies alienated both liberals and conservatives while his foreign policies alienated liberals who soon forgot the horrific attacks of 9/11.

Time tells an interesting story. Many other attacks have been thwarted as a result of policies enacted during President Bush’s administration both in the United States and abroad. Al Qaeda has been severely weakened because of the unrelenting determination the administration had in finishing the fight in Iraq. Al Qaeda may not have been in Iraq when America went in, but they came in later and were beaten to a pulp. The Taliban no longer controls Afghanistan, although the war has changed since the beginning of the year with the unrest in neighboring Pakistan. Bush’s anti-terror policies grew to be unpopular, but they worked. When it came to protecting his countrymen from fanatics that wanted to murder them, Bush succeeded and never relented, no matter how unpopular it was.

Who would have thought that the men that were there when we needed them are demonized today? Bush was even called a war criminal and a terrorist himself.

It is said that time heals all wounds. Apparently, for some, this is true even for something as awful as 9/11. Others believe it to be a myth. George W. Bush believed it to be a myth. The current president and Congress believe time has healed this wound.