Zodiac Times

Today is 9/11.For the first time in the 7 yrs I woke up without a pang in my heart on this date. I was actually annoyed that every tv channel this morning it seems was carrying a live broadcast of the memorial service. And I was annoyed when a slim crowd of demonstrators was blocking my way as I was rushing to a business meeting on the narrow streets of downtown Manhattan.
It was the evening news actually that brought the pain of that horrible day 8 yrs ago right back.
They were talking about the war in Afghnistan on the evening news, and that it is a lost cause we should forget about.
We’ve been there for 8 yrs now and are losing ground. “Why would we send more troops there” they questioned.
Well, 8 yrs of peace and general fatigue of endless wars abroad can make us forget, that it was Afghanistan where the tragedy of 9/11 originated. The Taliban that has gained back 80% of the territory was the breeding ground from where the enemy struck.
I have not lost anyone to the 9/11. But like everyone else, I’ve lost the carefree ease of life, maybe, forever. I am not even talking about having to show my ID and open my bags every time I step into a building in my city, or about endless security checks at the airports.
I am talking about the loss of innocence, high expectations, etc.
The lives of every American have not been the same, this recession including.
But by quitting all wars we are not going to get back the innocence of life in peace and prosperity. We have not won it.
No doubt that by starting the unnecessary war in Iraq, we forgot about the necessary war in Afghanistan, and all our gains there were eroded.
But if we quit now, Taliban and Al Queda will win and we can expect many more 9/11s.
In fact, we are likely to lose 3 countries to Taliban and Al Queda at once, as Pakistan is struggling to hold them off and is likely to lose without our presence there.
With Pakistan going unstable, India will tremble.
Who cares, you may ask. These countries are so far away.
Well, they still have airplanes that fly great distances, and very determined killers who hate us.
Whatever is left of our way of life, I would rather defend it.
Whatever it takes, even an endless war. That war is the only right war, because it keeps the enemies at bay.