On Sept. 11, 2001, I was a 6th Grade student at Parkway Central Middle School in Chesterfield, Missouri. I didn’t learn of the attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon until around 1:00 in the afternoon. Obviously, like everyone else, that day was a day of shock and confusion for me. I remember being particularly shocked that Terrorists were able to attack the most important building in the U.S military. The most remembered attack was in New York, but for someone who was just hearing about it, I was shocked about the Pentagon.
I especially remember the spirit of unity among Americans during the days after 9/11. Americans united around a common leader, and a common goal. I’m not sure that I will ever truly see a United States Of America again, but I was lucky, at least for a time, to experience how unified the American people can be.
The true legacy of 9/11 can only be fulfilled if we bring those responsible for the attacks to justice. On this seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, we must not forget that Osama Bin laden, and Al Qaeda in general , is still at large. We must bring those responsible to justice. Never again will we allow an attack on our liberty and well being. Let us never forget.
Due to scheduling changes forced by Hurricane Gustav, President Bush, Sen. Fred Thompson, and Sen. Joe Lieberman were the only primetime speakers featured Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. Tuesday’s theme was changed from “Reform”, to “Who Is John McCain?”, and all three of the major speakers took different approaches in introducing Sen. McCain as the official GOP Nominee.
I’m pretty sure that it wouldn’t have been very good anyway, however, it would have been close to impossible for President Bush to deliver a good speech via satellite. Although it would have been favorable if President Bush hadn’t spoken at all, I’m sure that both the RNC and the McCain campaign realized that it would have been somewhat inappropriate to deny a sitting president the chance to address the delegates at his own party’s national convention. However, thinking about how bad it could have turned out, President Bush actually carefully treaded through. I’m not sure whether he thought his speech would help McCain or not, but President Bush made it very clear who he thought should be his sucessor. I’m pretty sure that President Bush thinks that his legacy might find redemption under a McCain presidency. Whether this was the case or not, George Bush’s speech Tuesday night didn’t help or hurt McCain’s chances.
Those who are familiar with my views know that I greatly admire Fred Thompson for his abilities as a conservative thinker and communicator. That being said, I would have been very disapointed had he bombed during his convention speech. Fortunately, however, he did not. In fact, not only was Sen. Thompson’s speech the highlight of the night, it was also the best speech that I had ever heard him deliver. Using a mixture of biographical references, personal stories, and attacks on the democratic ticket, Sen. Thompson made a very convincing case for why the American people should elect John McCain as their president this November. It is clear to me that if Sen. Thompson had been this impassioned at this time a year ago, then we would certainly have a different candidate as our party’s nominee.
The final speaker of the night was Sen. McCain’s close friend, and the independent democratic Senator from Connecticut, Joe Lieberman. Although no one would consider Sen. Lieberman as an amazing orator, he did a very good job highlighting Sen. McCain’s bipartisan and reformational credentials as a senator. Sen. Lieberman also communicated very effectively that John McCain will govern according to the loyalty that he holds to his own convictions and country. Although I appreciated Sen. Lieberman’s speech, I couldn’t help but think about how the Democratic Party would never be caught dead allowing a Republican to address delegates at their national convention.
Oh well, I guess that is just another example of how Republicans are more open minded, and more willing to reach across party lines to accomplish great things for the American people.
On Sept. 11, 2001, I was a 6th Grade student at Parkway Central Middle School in Chesterfield, Missouri. I didn’t learn of the attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon until around 1:00 in the afternoon. Obviously, like everyone else, that day was a day of shock and confusion for me. I remember being particularly shocked that Terrorists were able to attack the most important building in the U.S military. The most remembered attack was in New York, but for someone who was just hearing about it, I was shocked about the Pentagon.