Freedom and Fear Are at War
After the worst attacks in its history,
America gets ready to fight terrorism
President Bush said that the time had come to fight terrorism around the world. He asked all nations to join in the fight. Those that permit terrorists to live and work in their countries will be viewed as America’s enemies. Bush issued his sternest warning to the leaders of Afghanistan: Hand over the terrorist leader Osama bin Laden and other terrorists or prepare to be attacked.
Nine days after terorist attacks shocked and saddened America, the nation began to prepare a powerful response. In a speech before both houses of Congress on Thursday, President George W. Bush sought to rally and reassure the country. He told the American people, “We are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom.”
The speech was interrupted 30 times by applause. Democrats and Republicans who normally don’t see eye-to-eye reached across the aisle to hug each other. “We are resolved to work together, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans,” said Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle, after the President’s address.
Across America, folks stopped what they were doing to listen to the President’s speech. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the Flyers and New York Rangers were playing a National Hockey League exhibition game, 19,117 fans demanded to watch the speech on the overhead big-screen television. They responded to the President’s words with cheers of “U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
A MESSAGE FOR THE MILITARY: BE READY
Bush met with world leaders to build support. British Prime Minister Tony Blair said his nation would stand beside America “without hesitation.” Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said his country would do “everything that is in our capacity to fight this scourge of terrorism.”
The President said he had a message for the military: “Be ready.” As many as 130 aircraft, including bombers, were ordered to the Persian Gulf area. More than 5,000 members of the National Guard and Reserves were called to active duty. The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt left Virginia.
To combat terrorism at home, the President created a new cabinet-level position: the Office of Homeland Security. He appointed Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge to the job. Ridge, 56 has been directed to “coordinate a national strategy” to protect Americans.
WE HAVE SUFFERED A GREAT LOSS
The aftershocks from the attacks were felt in the nation’s economy. Stock prices fell sharply. Businesses laid off workers. The President pledged “to take active steps to strengthen America’s economy and put people back to work.” At week’s end, Congress was ready to approve a billion-dollar aid plan for the troubled airline industry. Some of the money will help the airlines pay for the costs of improving passenger safety.
The U.S. government has also agreed to provide money to rebuild New York City. Rescue workers continued to dig through the wreckage of the World Trade Center all week long, but the news was sad. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani admitted that hopes of finding anyone alive were fading fast. Although thousands managed to escape after the attacks, the death toll is expected to exceed 6,000.