9-11

Last Thursday, the nation remembered the seventh anniversary of a historic and tragic day that changed most of our lives. September 11, 2001 was a turning point in this nation's history. No longer could we sit idly by and watch those that oppose our way of life get away with murdering people who did not believe in their religious views. The attacks of 3,000 people in the World Trade Centers, Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania turn our attention to confronting a group of people that wanted to institute a tyrannical regime over the world, based on their interpretation of the Koran.

After the attacks, the United States went to war in Afghanistan to remove a regime that supported Islamic radicals and Al-Qaeda in their attacks against the United States and our allies. We have removed the Taliban from power but we must stay on the offensive in that country to ensure that they do not return to power.

Another measure that the United States took after 9-11 was the invasion of Iraq. Although Iraq was not part of planning the 9-11 attacks, Iraq has been supporting terrorism via Saddam Hussein giving money to the families of Palestinian suicide bombers, and by giving terrorists training facilities in Iraq. Many people believed that the invasion of Iraq was a mistake. Personally, I believe the Iraq invasion was justified. American policy since 1998 has been to call for regime change in Iraq, the UN passed multiple resolutions denouncing Iraq for not cooperating with UN weapons inspectors, and Saddam Hussein's history of tyrannical rule of his state with his ambition to become the leader of the region made him a threat to global peace.

In the seven years since that fateful, we have not had another terrorist attack on our soil. Let us hope that this streak will continue.