Are We Still at War?

Do you remember when you heard the awful news about 9-11?  I do. I was listening to the radio on the way to work. I remember my emotions after seeing the news footage of planes burning on the sides of the Twin Towers in New York City.  My brother-in-law – who works in New York – watched in horror out of his office window as the Twin Towers came crashing down.  All of this was the work of terrorists.

The nation mourned and became enraged.

The terrorist acts on September 11, 2001 killed 2977 victims and caused incredible wreckage in the lives of families, friends, and co-workers.  The damage to the US economy was estimated to have cost American workers 1.6 million jobs by 2002.[1]

The events of 9-11 were a wake-up call for America.

We knew that we were at war because America was attacked on our own soil.

After 9-11, the US led the uncompromising attack against Iraq – one of the key countries to sponsor terrorism – and took down their dictator, Saddam Hussein.  The war was then expanded to Afghanistan.  Al-Qaida and Osama Bin Laden were the prime enemies.

By the end of 2011, the last of the US troops were withdrawn from Iraq by President Obama, keeping one of his campaign promises.  Then the timetable for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan was announced; followed by the death of Osama bin Laden.  We also solemnly commemorated the loss of life during the 10th anniversary of 9-11 at a new memorial on the site of the Twin Towers.

A decade has come and gone since 9-11.  Are we still at war?  Are we safe or safer today?

The 9-11 Commission Report concluded that, “In sum, there is strong evidence that Iran facilitated the transit of al Qaeda members into and out of Afghanistan before 9/11, and that some of these were future 9/11 hijackers.”[2]

Iran continues to this day to threaten the Middle East and the US.

In November 2011, the International Atomic Energy Agency announced that Iran has received the necessary help from foreign sources and has mastered the critical steps to build a nuclear weapon.[3]

The sanctions in Iran, placed on them by the US and the United Nations, has further ratcheted up the tension.  In December 2011, Iran tested their long-range missiles[4] and conducted 10 days of naval exercises in the Straits of Hormuz – a key passageway for transporting 40 percent of the world’s oil sea-based shipments[5]. Iran has warned that they will blockade the Straits if sanctions are imposed on its oil exports.[6]

In November 1979, Iran seized 79 US hostages under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini, while moving their people to riots by calling the US “the Great Satan”.

Despite negotiations, President Carter was not able to secure the release of the hostages.  The hostages were released just minutes after the start of President Reagan’s inaugural address in 1981.

Iran backed down instead of facing a strong response by a strong president.

Iran continues in the present time to be ruled by radical Islamic fundamentalists who believe that the US is “the Great Satan”.

There is a war still under way by the most radical Islamic fundamentalists against America.  The personal and economic freedom – which is provided by the constitution to each of our citizens – is an outrage to the most radical forces of Islam.

Thirty years have gone by since President Reagan forced Iran to back down and release the hostages.  We can continue down the path of Ronald Reagan by strengthening our military and financial muscles – and having strong leadership in place and the good sense of when to use them. We cannot afford the current administration’s impending military cuts if we plan to remain strong with an imminent Iran nuclear threat.

Americans must live by the words of President Reagan: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.  We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream.  It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”[7]

Our leaders must not be afraid to stand strong against Iran by using the toughest sanctions – and even military presence – to stop Iran from becoming armed with nuclear weapons.[8]

Without oil refining capability existing in Iran, why have the White House and the UN held back by not placing sanctions against oil products being sold to Iran?  This action would cripple Iran.

The elections of 2012 are vitally important to our country. The threat of military spending cuts puts our nation’s security – and strength – in danger.

Make your voice heard.  Work in your state caucuses and primaries to ensure that we elect leaders who will strengthen our borders.

Each voting citizen must be armed with the understanding that our enemies hate us and want us to be destroyed.

Do not settle for leaders who demand that the US become isolated in the world.  Identify and work for candidates who will make the tough choices to use the economic and military might when needed to stop our enemies from developing nuclear arms.