LETTER: America simply needs justice
Dear Editor,
In the aftermath of the recent tragedy, many Americans rightfully wonder what our response should be. We certainly don’t want to hurt the innocent in our efforts to punish the guilty. We pray for the victims and their families, and naturally want to do what we can to help right the wrongs done to them, but not in the spirit of vengeance. We simply want justice.
This prevailing attitude causes some to criticize us by saying we’re “so predictable.” What these critics fail to realize is our predictability is what makes other nations look to America as the model country the world should follow. After all, Americans always fight for freedom, for fairness, for human rights and dignity and for all causes we believe to be right. We always have, and we always will. Consistency is not a weakness any more than genius a superiority complex.
While peace is the goal of all freedom-loving people, peace doesn’t come without a price. To suppose “peace is not won through war” is to ignore history. Was Adolf Hitler appeased when Europe let Germany annex parts of Czechoslovakia? Did he halt his armies after taking Poland? Why would anyone suppose mad men such as these terrorists will be appeased by a passive compliance to their terrorism? Is America to simply stand by and do nothing? No, we will not abide these vicious attacks, and anyone who thinks we should does not understand the value of freedom.
Understandably, some are pessimistic about the “war on terrorism.” Not surprisingly they feel that “to eradicate evil from the world is an impossible task.” To these people, the “impossibility” of the task means we shouldn’t even try. But compare that sentiment to that of people who have gone before us. They said landing a man on the moon was impossible. Or running a mile in under four minutes. Or building the Great Wall of China. The list goes on and on. To the eternal pessimist, nothing is possible. I’m grateful to live in a country of optimists, of believers. It is possible.
Taylor Jensen