Our view
By HDN Editorial Board
Sixty years ago President Franklin Roosevelt declared Dec. 7 a day that would live in infamy. Once again, foreign forces have attacked America. Unlike Japan, national borders do not bind the Sept. 11 attackers.
The country and the world wait for our response. But in the aftermath some are quick to point out that today's enemies are harder to identify than those of our parents and grandparents. Some worry how other countries will react to our military actions. Since our world is far different than that of those who answered the call during World War II, caution is urged. TV analysts point out that America's economy is a part of a global economy, and military action could have profound damaging effects on an economy bordering on recession.
However, now is not the time to put dollars above principles. Thomas Jefferson said, "A nation, as a society, forms a moral person, and every member of it is personally responsible for his society." Our country's response should mirror the desires of those who lost loved ones in the air or on the ground Tuesday. Next time it could be any one of us. The price of crude oil or Microsoft stock should be the last thing on our minds. Our elders left their families, jobs and farms by the thousands to sign up to battle the emperor of Japan and avenge the deaths of fellow Americans. They willingly sacrificed everything to protect their country. Americans at home united to support those on the front lines.
While it is prudent to make sure of our targets and inform those nations that have stood beside us of our plans, we alone should decide our response to the attacks. We as Americans must use our country's response to the attack on Pearl Harbor as a blueprint. Our military and country should stop at nothing short of the complete eradication of the terrorism networks responsible for the attacks against us, and our allies. Today's world is indeed far different than that of 60 years ago. However, our resolve to defend our country should not.
