In light of 9/11

A great commentary from Olbermann:

http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=3260355f-9c9d-4e98-a478-496e9996d074&f=00&fg=copy

The terrorist caused a sensational act of destruction on 9/11 in 2001 which lead to an unity within this country and around the world. A real leader would have taken this unity and made not only the United States a stronger country and one that would be the shinning example of democracy, but that would also fight terrorism at the root of the problem which is not any group of people, but an ideal.

As we all know, this was not the path that we took. We do not have a good leader. This was not the way that the president saw fit to solve the problem. Like an immature child, the president and his war hawks seek to solve this problem only through force and war. This is exactly what the terrorists wanted. Six years later, the terrorists are winning because we are still in this battle.

The terrorists have nothing to live for other than war. Without the identity of war, without an ability to die as a martyr, they have nothing. By being in this war, we give them the oxygen they need to live, we give them the reason to grow, and we are the ones that give them their reason to die.

The United States in involved in a war that it cannot get out of. Instead of having the strong democratic government with checks and balances that this country has worked so hard to build and ask others to follow, we have an out of control executive branch that is corroding everything the constitution stands for. No longer are we the country that a developing country would look to as an example of what they would like to become. Instead of teaching other what is best and what to be like, we've become the shinning example of what not to be like and how not to run a government.

Make no doubts, this country is in a state of disarray. This is not the time for foolish pride and chants of 'We're #1, We're #1'. We need to recognize that this country has been falsely lead into a war that is draining all our resources. The leaders of this country are wasting our money on war and at the same time ignoring and under funding everything that has made this country great such as education, science, arts, medicine, research, humanitarian efforts, etc.

Internally, the country's infrastructure has been way under funded. Our education system has terrible needs that really need attention. Health care is out of control. Everyday, the wealth gap grows further and further. These are the kind of things that rots a country from within. These are major problems that takes generations to fix.

Internationally, we continue to fall behind on everything. The dollar's at an all time low vs. the Euro and the pound. Other countries are producing more scientific research, more highly educated people, and even healthier people than us (there are 40 nations that has higher average life spans than the US).

All because we are all focused on this 'terrorism'.

How much worse does things have to get before we realize that battling 'terrorism' and being in a war is what the terrorist wants. We are helping them by being in the war. At the same time, we are ignoring the biggest reason why the terrorists want to fight us in the first place. Our biggest beam of light. Our democracy and freedoms. Our ability to help those in need.

This president is ignoring and eroding all the good things about this country with fascist programs like surveillance of the public and everything having to do with Patriot Act. An act that couldn’t be more against what this country stands for. The president has the same mentality as the terrorist who thinks anything can be achieved through force. The president is making us more like the people we fight every day. Soon, we will be nothing but an empty war machines that doesn’t know anything other way of life.

Something needs to change, and it needs to change soon. The longer this goes on, the deeper the hole we will be digging ourselves. We are already losing our status as the best country in the world. Let’s not lose our status as a relevant country in the world. It’s not improbable. The way we’re going, it will happen.

Good night, and good luck.