Two Years Later (Commentary by Gary Bauer)

It seems like a lifetime ago when Republican and Democrat members of Congress walked out on the steps of the Capitol, joined hands and sang God Bless America. But it wasn't a lifetime ago - it was only two years ago.

Congressional leaders had just returned to Washington after being whisked away to secret locations until we could be sure the Capitol wasn't targeted. Other congressmen fled their offices as rumors swirled that a hijacked plan was on its way. The brutality of the attack, the gash in the Pentagon, the bodies falling through the air in Manhattan, had together temporarily suppressed the political instinct to score cheap political points. We were one nation again - temporarily.

Now today, just two years later, we mark the date and mourn the 3,000 who died. But the partisanship is back. In spite of liberating two countries in two years with remarkably few casualties, and in the process preventing another attack on the homeland, President Bush is regularly bashed by those desiring to replace him. The polls show terrorism has dropped down the list of voter concerns and priorities, falling below health care and other issues. (I suppose that could be one positive expression of the public's confidence the President's handling of the issue.) There are fewer flags flying, church attendance is back to its pre-September 11th levels, and a significant portion of the country has returned to their slumber even as murderers plot to strike us again.

I must admit that today I am feeling an unusual amount of anger. I'm angry at the stupid, hateful things said repeatedly about America and this war in the last two years by Hollywood stars and our cultural and educational elites. I wonder how it is that those who grew rich selling us their music and their movies have such disdain for our country, our values, and the great patriotic middle class that is our strength.

I'm angry at the "political correctness" that has prevailed for two years resulting in our leaders repeatedly saying that we are merely "at war with terrorism". If the enemy was massing conventional armies to fights us, what would we say then? Would we be "at war with tanks"? Terrorism is an evil form of war, but it is not an enemy, merely a tool of an enemy. The enemy is radical Islam, jihadists nurtured by the Wahabbi faith that is subsidized by Saudi Arabia. The homicide bombers hitting Jerusalem, attacking us in Iraq and spreading mayhem from Indonesia to India all believe that in doing so they are fulfilling what Allah calls them to do - which is to kill and destroy to murder and maim the "infidel".

I am furious that our immigration system, the same one that made it easy for 19 men to get into our country, hijack our planes and kill 3,000 of our citizens, is still broken and that virtually no political leader has the guts to take it on. (There are a few, but very few brave souls.) The number of non-Hispanics apprehended at our southern border jumped dramatically last year! Are we so stupid as to believe that among them there are no future hijackers and homicide bombers? Yet our borders remain porous and our enemies are laughing at our stupidity.

I am angry over our double standard toward Israel. No other country has suffered more from Islamic jihadist terrorism. No other country in the Middle East - indeed the entire world - is as reliably pro-American. In the last three years, Israel has suffered the cumulative equivalent of dozens of September 11th attacks. Yet time and time again, our State Department and the media makes excuses for Israel's murderous enemies and our government restrains Israel from using the power at its disposal. But instead of holding them back, we should work with them to "drain the swamp" of the Middle East, where children are being taught daily to "kill the Jew, kill the American."

Finally, I am angry because at the very time that we need God, the Author of our liberty the most, the campaign to strip faith from the public square is at its peak. At the very time we need citizens of character who can discern good from evil, our culture continues to promote hedonism and materialism.

Two years ago, tourists caught here in Washington on September 11th walked stunned on the great expanse of the Washington Mall between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, with the Washington Monument in between. They cried at what was happening to their beloved land. Many prayed for God's mercy and protection while they looked up, anxiously waiting for another plane to fall from the sky. One week ago, this city turned that same Mall over to a spectacle of decadence complete with a barely clothed Britney Spears and simulated sex acts on stage. Is this what we want to feed our children in an age that requires courage and self-sacrifice if our civilization is to survive?

So today, we will mark the two-year anniversary of that fateful morning which was supposed to wake us from our slumber. We probably have many years of danger ahead before this jihadist fascism is defeated. God help us find the strength of character and the sense of purpose to win this war and restore our republic as a "shining city upon a hill."

One week ago, this city turned that same Mall over to a spectacle of decadence complete with a barely clothed Britney Spears and simulated sex acts on stage. Is this what we want to feed our children in an age that requires courage and self-sacrifice if our civilization is to survive?

That's right, anyone who likes such things is supporting terrorism! We can't allow lascivious temptresses to deplete us of the manly vitality which we need to fight Al-Quaeda!

Exactly what I expect from the Bauer-Ashcroft-Roy Moore axis.

What a weenie.

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