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You can't win. We will not be stopped. It doesn't matter how many planes you
hijack. It doesn't matter how many bombs you explode or buildings you
bring down. It doesn't matter how many people you kill. We will go on.
We're Americans.
I don't understand. I just don't get it. What's more important is I don't
understand why you don't get. You have been at this for years. You've
killed so many people; perpetuated so much pain and agony. Yet, here we
are. We still come. We're Americans.
This latest example of your complete and total disregard for the rights of
others; for their beliefs; to have any resemblance of tolerance and understanding of those beliefs
or for any compassion is the most horrific and hideous yet. But, it will not change things. We will not
run and hide. We're Americans.
You ask, "What is this American you talk about?" That, my friend,
is a very good question. I wish I were smart enough to give you an answer; the answer you
deserve. But, alas, I can't. You see one of my fallibilities is my intellectual capacity. I really can't explain it.
But, "We're Americans" - - - well, it is something like this.
Believe it or not, we are like you in many respects. You obvious care deeply for
your beliefs, wants, and desires; so much so that you are willing to die for them - or at least convince
others that they should die for them for you. So too do we, except we don't send other to do the dying for us.
We're Americans. There are many things we Americans care about: family, community, our work and
play, God. We care deeply for people around the world, evident by the way we respond when tragedy
strikes places in other countries and in our own neighborhoods. The greatest thing we care about,
though, is what founded our nation - Liberty and Freedom. More than anything else, that is America!
Do you know any American History? Do you remember the Minutemen? Well, there is a new breed
of Minutemen who walk the streets of America, and indeed the world, today.
You saw them didn't you? They were right there on Flight 93. They talked to their loved ones
and family with cell phones from the plane your soldiers hijacked. When they learned of the terror being bestowed upon
their nation and their countrymen they went into action. They took their lives back and took control of the plane and
crashed it. Those few died so hundreds would live. They died on their terms, not yours, as true patriots and true heroes.
You should know now that we will act. The Minutemen live - American Minutemen.
You probably never expected that. You thought of us as being week and as cowards. You didn't understand
us. But, how could we do less? We're Americans.
We are a strange breed, I guess. To understand that you have to know a little of where we came from
and the journey we took to get where we are today. We came from your own back yard and from the yards of your
neighbors. We are Asian, African, and European. We come from islands, villages and cities of all sizes and from every
type of countryside you can imagine. We come from every country and profess every political, social, economic, religious,
and other beliefs you can think of.
Looking at us you see we have so many differences that it is easy to wonder, "how do we do it?" "
How do we manage?" "How do we stay unified when there is so much present that should (and at times does) divide us?
I don't know. It is amazing when you think about it. I mean, after all, some countries are all Chinese, or
all French. Some are all Hindu or Muslim. We are everything. We are a strange mix and it is that mix that keeps us going.
It keeps us strong. We're all Americans.
And, Americans understand. We understand the things we are not and the imperfections we have as people and as a
nation. We know the ideals we preach and treasure so much still do not reach all of us. They are sometimes not with us in our relations
with other peoples around the world. We let the world know that, though, right in our display windows. However, we don't stop reaching
for that perfection that is our ideals. We can't. We're Americans.
These events make me angry. I want to punish you for what you have done. I want justice to be done. But, how?
I mean, how can we do that. It doesn't appear anything is of value to you. Property obviously has no meaning or value to you -
you destroy so much of it and it seems you have none of your own we can take.
I guess your beliefs are important to you, but, how do I take them from you. Life has no meaning to you as you
snuff out so much of it and send so many others to their deaths to die for you. So it seems killing you would serve little purpose
other than for a fast fleeting feeling of revenge for us. Beside, why give you what you do probably care about and
want the most, to become a martyr.
It seems, though, that is what will happen. You will die in the coming battle. You will die not as a hero or the
martyr you aspire to become but rather as a cancer that the world must rid itself of. You and those who follow you will die. You see,
you can't win. We're Americans.
Sadly, many more people will die in this coming war against you and people like you who wish to rule by
instilling terror in the hearts and minds of others. Much will be sacrificed and much will be lost. We will not be
deterred. We will not relent. We will not be defeated. We're Americans.
One of our favorite songs says it best, 'the sun will come out tomorrow." We are free to see that
morning sun rise. Free to walk in the light. Free to be!!! The sun is rising on us and we will survive in the light. You must
hide as a scared little cockroach afraid of the light, waiting and wondering in the dark when we will come. We walk tall
and proud in the light. We're Americans
You hate us for what we are, or for what you think we are. America isn't bridges, mountains, landmarks,
and buildings. It is people with in indomitable spirit you can never bring down or ever snuff out. We will rebuild the Trade
Centers to a greater majesty than before with greater dignity and pride. All Americans will stand tall on top of them again.
We will not rebuild them as example of our glory or to show off our power, wealth, honor, and leadership.
We will build as an example of, and a tribute to, the dignity and majesty that is the human sprit. We will
rebuild them in honor of not just the American spirits you took out, but also of those heroes from so many other countries whose lives you
destroyed. You see, we didn't call them the World Trade Center for nothing.
You have us looking over our shoulder. You have us aware and concerned. But, we do not hide and we are still here.
And now, we are coming after you.
We're Americans.
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