Wednesday, October 31, 2001
|
Wednesday, October 31, 2001 |
|
Anthrax is our part of war, so let's 'get a grip' The recent anthrax scare has many Americans fearing for their lives. Some citizens are so worried that they can hardly function. Let's try to put this into perspective. Over the past month, only three people have died from anthrax exposure. Over the same period of time, 58,000 people died of heart disease, 34,000 people died of smoking-related deaths, 3,500 died in car accidents, 1,600 of alcohol-induced deaths (not including motor vehicle fatalities), 66 died in recreational boating accidents, and 5 people were killed by lightning. No doubt the situation with anthrax is serious, but it has been blown way out of proportion. The terrorists knew what they were doing when they sent it to the news media. They knew they would exaggerate the story much like they did with Gary Condit and the shark attacks this past summer. They often jump from one "crisis" to another to increase ratings. Personally, I believe we need to "get a grip" and just settle down. We need to stand up and show a little courage. Our sons and daughters bravely volunteer to go to war and fight for the freedoms we enjoy. Why can't we show some bravery and face the fear that is seeking to consume us? Maybe you cannot volunteer for military service, but you can help to defeat terrorism by standing up to the fear, by going on with your life, and not becoming obsessed with the threats. We must be strong and vigilant. We must stand together as one nation under God. We must support our president and elected officials. We must not let petty differences divide us. There is an enemy to fight and it is not our fellow American. Over the next several months, we will see the character of Americans. Either we will bind together, and become stronger, or we will be cowards and unravel under the pressure. Which will it be? Now is the time for all Americans to stand up and face these fears with courage and resolve. But, before we can stand, we must first kneel before our Creator and acknowledge that He is the One who governs the affairs of men. It was June 28, 1787, and the Constitutional Convention was deadlocked on several key issues of state and federal rights when Benjamin Franklin, the convention's most honored member, rose and reminded them of the Continental Congress in 1776 that shaped the Declaration of Independence. This is what he said: "In the days of our contest with Great Britain when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. "All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of superintending Providence in our favor. To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity to establish our nation. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, it is probable that a new Nation cannot rise without his aid. We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that built it. I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of heaven and its blessings on our deliberations be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to any business." God bless America. Keith Turner Fayetteville Kturner@harpscrossing.com
|
||