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STAMP OUT TERRORISM

© Mary M. Alward

On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four planes and assaulted the United States. Over 6,000 people lost their lives to terrorism that morning. The attack did exactly what the terrorists intended to do – strike terror into the hearts of the American people.

Not only the people of the US, but those in countries around the globe were in shock after the attacks. Soon, shock turned to anger. Numerous governments stood united with the US after President Bush stated that there would be retaliation when investigators found the person or organizations responsible for the hijackings of four planes and the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

On October 7, 2001, President Bush announced that he had signed documents to launch strikes against the Taliban and alQueda terrorist camps. He told the American people that the war would be long and drawn out and implored them to have patience while Osama Bin Laden and his army of terrorists were hunted down and brought to justice. He expressed his appreciation to Canada, Britain, Australia, Germany and France for pledging to lend military support as the war on terrorism unfolds. Forty countries around the world, including those in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa have granted the US and its Allies air and landing rights. Others have aided in intelligence operations.

This attack on America should have been no surprise. It seems Osama Bin Laden has been planning it for years. He finally launched his attack and his henchmen carried out these plans on September 11.

That brings us to the question, “What is terrorism?”

According to Webster’s Dictionary, terrorism is “the policy of using acts inspiring terror as a method of ruling or of conducting political opposition.” Bin Laden has been using such methods for years and getting away with it. This time, President Bush has stated, “The sleeping giant has awakened.”

Bin Laden is a terrorist. The definition of terrorist is “someone who favors or practices terrorism.” Bin Laden planned and executed the attacks on the US to bring terror to the Free World and he succeeded, but only for a few days – only until the people of the US and other free countries around the world had regrouped their thoughts and protested his horrific tactics. Then, we became angry. With anger came the need to retaliate – to show terrorists around the world that their tactics will not make us cower and hide. Acts of terrorism will only bring us together; unite us to fight against terrorism and all that it stands for – to hunt down the terrorists and bring them to justice.

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