I yield to no one who did not personally lose a loved one in his sorrow over the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Thousands died horrible deaths, and that is a genuine tragedy. We cannot bring them back. We cannot alleviate their suffering or undue their pain. But we can honor their memory best by the way we choose to live.
The events of September 11 were a national tragedy. But it was not a national catastrophe. In terms of lives, we lost 3,000 to 4,000; more die in traffic accidents every year. In terms of property, two and half highly symbolic office buildings were destroyed. In comparison with the last great attack on American soil, our chief naval base in the Pacific and most of our Pacific fleet was not destroyed. Our overseas bases and territories were not overrun. We were not immediately embroiled in a global conflict on two continents that threatened the very survival of the free world and measured civilian casualties by the millions.
In response to 9/11, we laid waste two countries. Our airports require us to go through a series of gymnastics that would daunt Nadia Comeneci. Our computer records are an open book to the government. When we are not paralyzed by fear of foreign terrorists, we are tormenting domestic immigrants. We will not long remain the land of the free, if we become the home of the craven.
Our country's first war produced the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The Patriot Act is not a worthy successor.
Let us honor our dead and protect our country. But let us also remember that we strive be a country of openness, tolerance, courage, and freedom. Let us not be so scarred by the memory of one terrible day that we are unable to carry on the cause of freedom with the fearlessness of our ancestors.