Six years. Six years since the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.
Since then, endless analysis has attempted to understand the
repercussions of that monumentally bad day. Many explain those horrific
events by appealing to the notion that “they hate us for our freedoms.”
What this nation stands for repudiates their view of what the world
should be. What this country’s traditions honor reveals their distorted
view for the irrational nonsense that it is. What this culture was
founded upon is a never-ending threat to the power over others’ lives
that they covet so dearly.
They seek not to live and let live, but to destroy. They fear the
choices of sovereign individuals and cannot permit them to control
their own lives. They want to force others to adhere to their
constricted vision of the future, to do only what is permitted and to
avoid all else. What they desire is a bland uniformity, a sterile
existence limping along under a sick shroud of joyless darkness.
With piercing eyes, they scrutinize those who would reject their
hard-edged grip, ready to punish dissenters. Freedom? A dirty word.
Choice? Evil. Individuality? Nonexistent. Happiness? Only in a fairy
tale afterlife that they decree is best for all.
Yes. They do hate our freedoms. They hate us for wanting to be free.
They hate us because we will not surrender our lives to their incessant
and unreasonable demands.
Yes. Perhaps someday the politicians of the United States — the
president and Congress and judges who refuse to acknowledge our rights
or our personal autonomy — perhaps someday they will be made to pay for
their betrayals, past, present, and future.
Perhaps someday, the American people will refuse to obey those who hate
our freedom, regardless of where those enemies reside or what excuses
they offer for the destruction they cause.
Perhaps someday, we will no longer be afraid.
Perhaps someday, we will be free.
(from
Don't Get Me Started!, 9-10-07)
