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Time for courage, not revenge By
Alisha Geary In an act described as the worst attack on American soil in more than 100 years, the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were mangled by an act of violent terrorism. This act was made even more sinister because the weapons of choice were United and American passenger airplanes. In an orchestrated movement that was so well planned it staggers the mind the Twin Towers were obliterated and the Pentagon crippled severely. Walking around campus on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, was like being trapped in a movie. Students were huddled around televisions and computer screens, speechless with horror. Every available space in the Taggart Student Center was filled with shocked people watching as the catastrophe unfolded. Flags were at half-staff; the student body, mystified. It was a day of mourning and incredulity. Some classes were canceled, others doggedly convened, trying to prove in some small way that life would continue and terrorism could not grip us with fear. The air was a mixture of panic, sadness, anxiety, and unavoidably, anger. Shock and outrage registered within all of us. Images became more gruesome as the day continued and more information poured in a deluge upon mesmerized audiences. How could this happen to us? There have been calls for reparations and retribution. Will we retaliate? Repercussions from these acts of aggression will be felt for weeks, even months. The casualties and deaths alone rip the heart apart. It's time to step up to the challenge. It may sound corny or too altruistic but this is a time that this nation should be united. The time for criticism and political satire is past. We as a nation need to band together and support those in office, dust off our patriotism and moral duty, and act as Americans should. Something needs to be done to show Americans will not put up with terrorism. At the same time, a word of caution should be issued, especially to USU students. We have a huge international student population who have just discovered that the land of the free and the home of the brave is also a dangerous place to be. Do not retaliate against a person of another race, creed, or religion to make yourself feel better. Do not allow yourself to stoop to the level of a terrorist, by inflicting terror on your fellow students. In the days to come, let us dwell on the acts of heroism and courage as well as the suffering. Instead of adding to mass hysteria with assumptions and hearsay, know the facts and do not jump to conclusions. For those on American soil, it is a time for lighting candles, for tears and prayers, not senseless violence and acts of revenge. Let retribution be left to God and the military.
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