Posted on 05/01/2003 10:20:05 AM PDT by jonalvy44
Lately it seems that people, particularly those on the left, have been trying to place a label on me. I've been called an "Ultra-Right Winger", a "Nazi", a "McCarthyite", as well as other names that I can't list here. Therefore, I'm going to assign myself a label. I feel that it's fair to call myself a 9-11conservative, or 9-11con. It's taken me a while to reach this self-realization, to step back and examine where I've been and where I want to go. My transformation into a 9-11con, my obsession with politics and events in the world began shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The Fox News Channel quickly replaced HBO as my favorite spot on the TV dial. I now wake up every morning to a cup of coffee and a visit with my fellow conservatives on Fox and Friends. How did I get this way and what the heck is a 9-11con?
I wouldn't consider myself a neoconservative, or neocon, as that just sounds too conspiratorial. I do support much of what they stand for, particularly the need to act pre-emptively, to remove and destroy regimes that support terrorism. I also favor certain aspects of the paleoconservatives, or paleocons. In particular, I am adamantly in favor of sealing our national borders. We've seen the effects porous borders have on national security. Plus, we have enough people in this country and our resources are getting stretched. I think you'll see a greater emphasis on immigration control and border security in the near future.
As a 9-11conservative I'm a relative newcomer to the Big Show. I've been playing catch up. Prior to September 11 my TV news habits usually consisted of tuning in primarily to catch the sports highlights and the weather. I have always had a passion for history, but was never very interested in modern-day politics and government. I have always fulfilled my duty as a citizen by voting, at least in national elections. I even voted for Bill Clinton in 1992 (Blame it on immaturity, but I did vote for Bob Dole in 1996 if that's any consolation). Marriage and maturity made me realize that I'm a conservative and the Republican Party was obviously more suited to that mindset. Plus, I really didn't want to give any more of my money to the government than I had to. I just felt that the Democrats were the party of enablement and victimhood. It seemed hypocritical for wealthy white guys to attempt to speak for minorities and the working/non-working poor.
It took the events of that horrible September morning for me to realize that I was not fulfilling my duty to make the world a better place in which to live. I feel that I was reborn that day, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of the World Trade Center. Neither President Bush nor myself would be who we are today were it not for the events of September 11. Reports of innocent stewardesses being slashed with box cutters infuriated me. The cold-blooded murder of 3000 of my fellow Americans filled me with rage. I became aware that day that I had a new sense of duty. I would never again allow myself to be lulled into a sense of complacency and leave the responsibility of safeguarding our great country to others.
Many 9-11cons like myself were still in a state of shock and grief during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. American flags were waving and an overwhelming majority of Americans supported President Bush in this battle vs terrorism. It wasn't until Iraq and Saddam Hussein was targeted that we saw a splinter in American support for the War on Terror. That is when I feel people like myself and other 9-11cons began to speak out. We were the silent majority, the American public that cherishes our great country and would oppose those that mean it harm. We overwhelmingly confirmed President Bush's mandate via the election of 2002 that he was to root out and destroy terrorism and any country that supports it.
Following the attacks of September 11, President Bush told the world, "You're either with us, or against us". I believe that. In a time of crisis, you support your country, end of story. It's your duty as an American. We're talking good vs. evil here. One thing I could not understand, still don't understand, and have no tolerance for, is those Americans who sought to stand against America in our War on Terror. President Bush told us that Iraq would be our next target after we destroyed the Taliban. If the man says they are a threat and a part of the terrorist fraternity, then let's roll! When I began to hear of American citizens rising up in opposition, I was truly dumbfounded. As a 9-11con, I felt that this was tantamount to blasphemy. I seethed with anger as I heard about groups organizing protests. I had my wife make a sign of support for President Bush and I went to downtown Syracuse just to stand amongst the protesters to show the world that Americans did support our President and his policies. I would never have done that prior to September 11, 2001! Now don't get me wrong, I fully support the rights to free speech that my fellow countrymen have utilized in protesting the policies of our government. However, I was not going to sit idly by on the sidelines and allow this tiny minority on the left attempt to speak for the silent majority! (As for their claims that they can support the troops, just not the war, we shall see if the anti-war folks turn out for the huge parades for our returning troops!)
Hollywood has provided me with an outlet for my outrage at these protests. The average anti-war protester seemed to be either an immature college kid, some burnt-out hippie with no real means of employment, or a professional agitator from the far-left hate-America community. What really bugged me was the opposition from the anti-war celebrities. These pampered celebrities don't have to bust their hump 40 hrs a week like the rest of us. How could they possibly attempt to speak for the rest of us? They were so smug in their obviously biased attacks on President Bush. We were treated to never-ending footage of them joining ranks with the vocal minority, egging them on in protests and rallies, decrying how bad America is. They had the audacity to attack our leadership from abroad, which is a major no-no. As a huge fan of the escapism of movies, I felt that these celebs abused their star status. They chose to enter the fray, which is their right as Americans. However, with that right comes consequences. They were wrong, they have not been willing to admit it, and they should not be surprised to see that loyal Americans will no longer support their careers. I will not forget their despicable actions and behaviors, and I hope my fellow Americans won't either. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. I will enjoy watching their careers go down the toilet.
I've answered President Bush's call to action. Since that fateful day our nation was attacked, I have done the following:
1. Stood alone in downtown Syracuse amongst a group of antiwar protesters in the early pre-war days to voice my support for action vs. Iraq.
2. Organized a "Pro-USA" rally on Superbowl Sunday in which it snowed; yet 15 other strangers showed up on what was a beautiful day in downtown Syracuse.
3. Began volunteering on Sundays at the local VA Medical Center in Syracuse.
4. Started a Neighborhood Watch group in my community.
5. Joined the local Republican Party committee so I can help promote our agenda.
6. Contacted the Army to see if I could enlist, but was told that at 36 I was too old.
My call to action came on September 11, 2001. I wonder how many others are out there that share my story, that feel the same way, that will remain silent no more? We aren't warmongers, we aren't part of the neocon conspiracy to rule the world (as laughable as that is), and we aren't part of the "America First" isolationist paleocons (we saw what happens when we ignore the goings-on in the rest of the world as we did in the Booming 90's). We are political creatures born of the 9-11 attacks, we are 9-11cons. We are now an active player in the political landscape of 21st Century America.
Jon Alvarez Syracuse, NY
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