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01/01/2010
A New Decade
Time for a New Beginning
It always seems awkward using the New Year’s date on January 1st. There is a feeling of melancholy, of time slipping away. However, I am excited about the new decade. The decade of the Os has been a time of tragedy and lost opportunity. This new decade gives us a place to begin anew and rediscover the opportunities that we so blindly overlooked the last ten years.
There is no doubt that the terrorist’s attacks of September 11, 2001 were a catastrophe for the United States, especially, for those who lost loved ones. Thousands of lives were lost not only in the initial attacks but in the two wars that have followed. We have spent billions of dollars fighting those wars and much effort in trying to protect the homeland. As a result, many of our freedoms have been taken away. No longer can we fly without waiting in lines to be searched. And, no longer can we travel without a passport outside the US. Moreover, it has taken away our freedom to feel safe. All of this continues to take a toll on the United States economically and psychologically.
As with any desperate situation there is always opportunity to rise above it and make life better. We have an opportunity to mobilize the country that we haven’t had since WWII. There is no reason that we cannot get everyone involved in helping to secure our homeland. Remember “loose lips sink ships”? I believe terrorists can be profiled in a way that everyone should be looking for signs of those who intend to do us harm. Further, with the right leadership, we could make great strides toward becoming energy self sufficient. Energy independence could be used as a platform to bring a whole new industry to the forefront. That would benefit us in two ways: First by creating jobs and, secondly, by creating jobs that can’t be shipped overseas - jobs in mass transit, teaching, research and development, recycling, conservation, manufacturing, and new technologies. At the same time we would be providing leadership with regard to global warming.
How does all this keep us safer? First, it makes us all responsible for the safety of our country not just the politicians in Washington, soldiers on the ground, or police in local communities. Secondly, it takes away leverage that the terrorists need to recruit followers. We will no longer be seen as propping up foreign governments in order to keep oil flowing to the west. Moreover, the new opportunities created in education and the workplace would bring many out of despair that are now potential Al Qaeda recruits.
The “War on Terror” can be won if we all do our part. But, first we must start taking responsibility by speaking out and discussing these issues among each other. Next, we need to let our senators and congressmen know how we feel and hold them accountable.
I am excited about this new decade. I hope you are too.
Happy New Year! |
