Normally, I would use any opportunity available to attack President Bush, his foreign policies and his intelligence. But, today… I changed, as did all of us.
Whether we were in class, or as I did, saw the horrible footage flash before our eyes on a television screen, we were affected. Our lives, our world, our country has been forever changed.
Now is not a time for blame. It is a time to communicate, to share ideas, to (perhaps for the first time in our short lives) begin to fathom the idea of an impending world war. It’s not a completely impossible outcome.
My heart and thoughts go out (and will continue to do so) to the victims, their families and their loved ones. I hope that they will be able to cope with this horrible tragedy.
I hope that Arabs in the United States do not end up where the Japanese-Americans did after Pearl Harbor. I hope that we as a nation can be tolerant and understanding. I hope that there are not attacks against the innocent due to their race, nationality, or religion.
I hope that this isn’t the beginning of another World War. I hope that the draft isn’t reinstated, that the situation can be brought to an end without any further violence. I hope I have a chance to give blood this week.
I am opening this week’s on-line section and next week’s printed section up for letters to the editor. I will accept any point of view, but please, do not offer conspiracy theories or false accusations. It is simply an opportunity for us as a group to let our voices and feelings be heard. You may send your letters to me by email, or submit them on the Temple News web site. They will be published on the web site shortly after they are received, or in next week’s issue.
Jeremy Smith can be reached at jsmith18@temple.edu
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