9/11...15 YEARS LATER: NO TERRORIST CAN WIN

     After reading the commentary below, please express your own thoughts.  Instructions on how to do so are written at the bottom of this column.  Thank you.

     Not too long after September 11th, 2001, I made tremendous efforts to advise my family and friends - especially those living in the New York City metropolitan area - that we can't fear terrorism.  My recommendation to loved ones and pals...that we must not be frightened of terrorists...was mostly encouraged because...if we are panic-stricken...and live our lives scared that another assault could be imminent... then we lose...and the terrorists win.  Granted...they have already won to a great degree...because we lost 2,977 innocent people on 9/11.

     On that fateful day...I was living in Florida...and I anchored broadcasts on a local radio station...interviewing my listeners throughout "The Sunshine State"...who wanted to express themselves...and share their sadness...on one of the worst days in American history.

     I was devastated by the attack on our country...and presumably...so was every single American.  Therefore, it was difficult for me...while on-the-air...to convince my listeners...and others who I know personally...that we can't be afraid. 

     It's 15 years ago today that we suffered the horrors of 9/11.  And unfortunately...we are still fighting terrorism.  But Armageddon is not coming...and it's certainly not coming soon.  And although many of my fellow countrymen and countrywomen...do struggle with anxiety and apprehension that another major strike on our nation's soil is probable...I'm sorry...but I can't think that way.  I refuse to live that way.  And I myself...won't permit any terrorist organization - whether al-Qaeda...ISIS...or a homegrown sympathizer - to hype the tragedy of so many deaths.  That being said...we must NEVER...EVER...forget...those nearly three-thousand individuals...who either went to work at the World Trade Center or The Pentagon on September 11th, 2001 and had no reason to think they wouldn't be going home that night...or who took a trip on one of four jetliners and thought they'd be safely reaching their destination...or who were first responders - who know the dangers of their honorable jobs - and who bravely tried to save victims' lives - but instead...in many cases...they too became casualties. 

     Hatred...is arguably...the worst emotion.  In an earlier time, Caucasian Americans...hated the Negroes of the human race...and white people wrongly believed it was acceptable...to use black people as slaves.  It was a disgraceful era in our nation's past.

     The so-called "cowboys" of our "wild, wild west"...hated Native Americans.  And from a variety of tribes..."Indians" were regrettably killed...for no other reason...but because the color of their skin...was red.  As a sorrowful result...cowboys died too.

     During World War II...six-million Jews were senselessly slaughtered...by the scum of the Earth...Adolf Hitler and his Nazis of Germany.  Jewish people were recklessly murdered by the world's most notorious madman...as a result of ignorance.  Since the religious beliefs of Jews...were different than the despicable Hitler and his Nazi followers...Jews were hated...and executed.

     Today...anti-Semitism still remains.  And although we thankfully have outlawed slavery... bigotry against blacks isn't by any means... altogether gone.  It truly amazes me...that certain people...who call themselves Americans...and who live in a country that elected Barack Obama - an African-American - to be President of the United States...not just once...but twice...can still discriminate against blacks.

     It's horrendously appalling - to me, at least - that prejudice persists.  Latinos... Asians...Muslims...gays...and any other labeled person...who is not white, Christian and heterosexual...is hated by more people than you may think.  That - in and of itself - is terrorism.

     I realize that any notion...any plan...to stop terrorism...is, in part...politically motivated.  But we must not allow our leaders...at The White House or on Capitol Hill...to be influenced by politics.  Instead...it is crucial...that they - the President and Members of Congress - and we - each and every American - that all of us... follow our hearts.

     It's downright disgusting...that in the 21st Century...part of our world population - and part of our national population - loathes and abhors other human beings...only because of what those persons look like...who they pray to...or who they love.  It is shocking...that in 2016...there is a hatred of Americans...just because we are... Americans.

     Hate and hostility - in all forms - is unacceptable behavior.  And terrorism is stimulated by hate.  Therefore...putting an end to the anguish and atrocities of terrorism - not just in the United States...but worldwide - is one of our leading priorities.

     It's the 15th anniversary of the day the Twin Towers fell.  It's the 15th anniversary when disaster hit one of the largest buildings on the planet - The Pentagon.  And it's the 15th anniversary when four airplanes either crashed into the aforementioned landmarks...or into the Earth itself.  And to honor those beautiful souls...whose lives were stolen on that day...there will be solemn celebrations today.  Bells will ring.  Prayers will be recited aloud...and silently.  And all for one main reason...that we remember.  For we must remember.  We must always remember.  We must never forget.  And we - as Americans - must never allow such a heartbreaking catastrophe...to happen again. 

     But God-forbid...should the violence of terrorism...ever storm our homeland in the future...it's imperative that we not give such barbaric and evil villains...the satisfaction...that they have triumphed over us.  We cannot succumb to the malicious wickedness of hate...by terrorist groups...or by a lone wolf.  If we give in...then even when we eradicate them - which we will eventually do - the terrorists will laugh from their graves.  And we...as a nation...cannot let any terrorist - whether alive or dead - cackle in victory.  

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions.  Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.

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