As the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks approaches, the president and media are trying to rekindle the patriotism and spirituality that swelled in the days following the tragedy. We are encouraged to attend a place of faith and hold hands in prayer, pray for our country. American flags will once again pop up around the country.
But only months after our nation was rocked to its core, we lost the unity that was salvaged from the Trade Center wreckage.
In the days following the tragedy, members of Congress sang “God Bless America,” and the proverbial party lines were smudged–for a while, at least. Now, in the spirit of partisanship, members of Congress are fighting over President Bush’s judicial nominees.
The President and Congress are bickering about the details of the proposed Homeland Security Bill, a piece of legislation borne out of the Sept. 11 tragedy and meant to unite us!
Closer to home, Rick Perry and Tony Sanchez have been slinging mud all summer in Texas’ gubernatorial race. In the spirit of national patriotism, however, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas suggested that the two stop negative television campaigning for the days leading up to the anniversary–they can’t even agree on that.
Almost a year after Major League Baseball players hung up their uniforms for a week out of respect and memory for those who died in the attacks, players threatened to clean out their lockers for the rest of the season because of disputes with team owners.
Even now, arguments over how the Trade Center Towers should be replaced or commemorated continues.
Our unity and patriotism should remain steadfast always–even when political or labor disputes arise. As Americans, we shouldn’t come together in unity and prayer only for tragedies and their anniversaries.
The President and the media should not just tug at America’s heart strings as we remember the tragedy of a year ago, but challenge us to a renewed spirit of patriotism and unity–those things are what will make us a stronger nation.
