Okay...tell me what is the practical application of: "To fight them effectively, we need coolness, resolve and stamina."
Coolness: Well, this should go without saying. We as a people should keep it together and realize that when you're fighting an enemy who hides and targets the vulnerable, you will be hit. It's just a matter of when. It will be sad, and fingers will be pointed. I think it's amazing we haven't actually had another 9/11.
Resolve: Again, we have to admit that some short-term sacrifice in the way of conveniences, etc., is inevitable. The government and military, meanwhile, need to plan for the long term and realize that as we win battles, we'll lose some, too, and those will be demoralizing, whether it's metaphorical (not being able to bring shampoo onto airplanes, which it's OK to take as a battle) or literal (another 9/11, God forbid). This is no time to go soft or worry about popularity.
Stamina: This is going to be a long war. LONG. We need to cut the people fighting this war some slack as long as there's reason for hope, and they have to resist the urge to make symbolic but empty gestures -- as important as symbolism is -- if they divert resources from the long-term struggle.
Now, I don't know if the writer meant all that, but it's pretty simple to me. I think it's possible to write a column like this and not be a total kook, though clearly the writer didn't (and possibly is).