“I fear that all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant, and to fill it with a terrible resolve.” – possibly said by Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto after the attack on Pearl Harbor
The sad thing about giants is that they leave large footprints. When we track down the terrorist organizations that are behind the recent attacks – and we will track them down – there will be great collateral damage. The violence we use against their violence against us will beget more violence. But we must use force against force. Not to do so would be to allow the terrorists to continue their activities without fear of retribution. First Blood has been drawn. We as a united world must draw some in return.
I regret that there will be loss of innocent life. I hope that the governments who are sheltering terrorists will help us ferret them out and thus avoid a great deal of suffering. For the sheltering governments to help us may even be beneficial to them. The United States rewards its friends well, even when the American people disagree with the way our “friends” run their countries. Although most Americans will regret the loss of innocent lives, it must be recognized that there is a time for peace and a time to fight. The terrorists are bullies. The only way to deal with a bully is to strike back at them.
The terrorist organizations can run, but they’ll only die tired. They can hide, but they just won’t see it coming.
I hope that we can capture the terrorists without loss of innocent lives; but I know that this is not possible. The Giant’s footprints are too big, and its fist is too broad. The terrorist organizations will not show their faces in the light of day, and they hide among their human sheilds like cowards. Sadly, sheilds are often damaged in battle.
We will not go to war. War is a political thing against other nations. But we will use military force, much as a policeman will use force against a criminal.
The Giant’s slumber is disturbed, and he peeks open an eye.
The Giant stirs…