Yesterday marks the anniversary of September 11, 2001. On that day the world witnessed the worst act of terrorism in history. We can all probably recall where we were when we heard of the events unfolding in New York City, Washington DC and Pennsylvania. For me, I was in my friend's car on my way to school and heard it on the radio. I was a sophomore in high school and did not know what to expect in the days and months that followed.
In five years this country has endured war, economic hardship, and those always cherished presidential and congressional elections. With off year elections less then two months away, political parties are campaigning on who can make this country safer. Democrats argue that Republicans have only made problems worse by waging war in Afghanistan and Iraq with no end in sight. Republicans counter that Democrats are too soft on terrorism and its better to stick with them.
But is our country really safer? After 9/11, America went to war in Afghanistan to oust the government who supported mastermind terrorist Osama Bin Laden. "Victory" was declared there, but the Bush Administration continued on with the war on terrorism. Next, President Bush planted the idea of an "Axis of Evil" into the minds of Americans that included North Korea, Iran, and Iraq. The Bush Administration continued to use the attacks of 9/11 as the reason that America had to fight terrorists abroad so we would not have to confront them here. The logic was there, but five years later, what do we have to show for it?
The past five years and even this past summer can show us the progress; better yet, the lack of progress, our country has made. The world in which we live is not and or secure. Gas prices in the Denver area average around $3 per gallon with prices only expected to continue to rise. The situation that has unfolded between Israel and Hezbollah illustrate how volatile the Middle East is. Iran continues to move forward with its nuclear enrichment program, which could have devastating consequences in the future as far as weapons are concerned.
In a Jesuit school we are always challenged to live in the Jesuit Mission with the question, "How ought we to live?" With that in mind, we cannot forget those around the world who are in their own struggles for survival. Though places like the Darfur region of the Sudan seems a world away, people continue to be exterminated. We live in a global community where one act of terrorism or injustice can and will affect everyone. While elected officials will campaign for a safer nation, it's time to start campaigning on the issue of a safer world. In order to achieve this, we have to first start by standing as one body rather than nation against nation.