On 9/11/2001, the first words I heard as the bedside radio clicked on were: "The South Tower of the World Trade Center has collapsed." On seeing the televised carnage, the first thing I blurted out, reflexively and instinctlvely, was "We're at war."

On that day most of us understood for the first time that we were at war with totalitarianism reborn in a religious disguise, though our enemies had long openly declared it. We learned that denial and token attacks were no defense, and that the Islamist enemy are devoted to destroying us and our culture, just as they murdered 3,000 of our fellows two years ago.

I stand with Hitchens:

What is required is a steady, unostentatious stoicism, made up out of absolute, cold hatred and contempt for the aggressors, and complete determination that their defeat will be utter and shameful.

Those who would count the war won, or less important than internal struggles, prepare the way for another day such as 9/11/2001. Denial is still no defense. Another such attack will send us forth, not to heal the societies that birth such monsters, but to destroy them for our own safety. I fear the wrath of my country, should we ever again see Muslims dancing to celebrate carnage in our streets, and I dread the damage we would do our own souls. Let's win this war before another such morning comes to pass.

Never forget. Never forgive.
9:55:29 AM