NOTE: I wrote this in about 25 minutes this morning before work and will probably clean it up later but wanted to get it up for the 9/11 anniversery so bear with it if there are many mistakes......Thanks.

The morning sky is a generic shade of gray, resonating the memory of this history-changing anniversary day. News channels dedicate entire programming schedules toward events of remembrance, collecting interviews and story recaps reminiscent of 9/11’s most significant heroes, casualties, and evildoers.

Ironically, a videotape of al-Queda’s latest leader surfaces in surprisingly clear form, urging Muslims to strengthen their forces against America and accelerate the destruction of such democracy. The tape is thought to be very recent and included English subtitles. Make no mistake; the terrorists will never back down and they want us to know. The extremists envision victory at any cost, including world destruction and the loss of their souls; they mistakenly believe they are saving such an essence.

Recently I was able to meet one of the greatest supporters of the Bush administrations war on terror, Newt Gingerich. His words continue to ring powerfully: “If you can’t imagine New York or Washington D.C. being blown up today, then you aren’t taking this seriously enough.” Gingerich suggested that many Americans see Islamic terrorism as only a nuisance, rather than a grave threat to our entire world. If they recognized it for what it was, the pursuance of world domination, they might more readily thank those in power for taking the best steps they know how to conquer.

While many Americans complain about civil liberties, such as the government tapping in on in phone calls, extreme measures taken at airports, and other forms of governmental monitering, they are focusing on the minimal aspects of the larger picture of current humanity. I empathize the fear behind an imposition on our civil liberties, but in times as such, the government would not be doing its job to protect us minimally. In order to produce maximum defense and optimum safeguard for Americans, radical measures must be taken. Drastic times do call for drastic measures and whining about it only accentuates our division. Little league baseball teaches the lessons of teamwork and as the world’s most powerful democracy, we can overcome, but with teammates aiding the enemy, our chances of triumph decrease.

U.S. officials announced today that the trail connecting us to 9/11’s perpetrator, Osama Bin Laden, has gone cold. A capture of this evildoer would certainly be a victory, but the failure to do so thus far, does not mean our guys haven’t been doing their job. Be assured that when Bin Laden is killed, another leader is already in place and followers are just as eager to serve the next. We want to kill Bin Laden in revenge for the thousands that lost their lives in the world trade centers, pentagon, and airplanes, but that sweetness of that would melt quickly, as we realized how many of similar disposition are still brooding in underground caves, developing more innovative plans of destruction.

I sit here today in Washington D.C., a place where attacks may be more likely to occur again, in effort to destroy those that purpose the greatest ideas and threats against terrorism. It is a privelage and significance for me to be here in the nation’s capital this anniversary day. I hope the strength and focus of our mission is amplified because of today’s reality. Think about the authenticity of Islamic terrorism, the preciousness of life, and the future of our world today. Imagine the worst and believe it could happen. If you don’t, then you are not taking the evildoers seriously enough. I’m glad there are some Americans in power that do.