Have we forgotten...already?

[stormchazer]

President's Report Card on Terror

Tuesday, February 24, 2004

By Neil Cavuto



I've always thought that the war on terror (search) would define this president. Now I'm beginning to realize it just might doom him. Not because of anything he's doing wrong, but precisely because everything he's doing right.

This isn't a political statement. I like to think it's a factual one.

He has done such a good job combating terror threats in this country, that it no longer seems a worry in this country. I see it everyday entering and leaving this great city of Manhattan.

I remember there was a time when cars were searched, when police by the hundreds guarded tunnels and bridges. I don't see searches now. I see very few police now. We are a nation getting our Mojo back now.

That's good. But for the president, that's bad.

It takes off the table the one issue that is his greatest on the table. That of security. We're secure in thinking maybe Sept. 11 (search) was a fluke. Nothing's happened here since. So we've moved on since. And as my friend Dick Morris (search) points out in a brilliant column today, we've relegated all things life and death behind all things profit and pocket book.

Never mind this president scores highly on security, if you're already secure, do you worry about feeling secure?

I'm just reminded of the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993. I remember a policeman on the scene saying something like, "Well, they'll never attack this place again." He was partly right. For years, they didn't. About eight years, to be exact.

Terrorists aren't short-term thinkers. It is a big pity we are.

Watch Neil Cavuto's Common Sense weekdays at 4 p.m. ET on Your World with Cavuto.


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[wx247]

breaking news... Neil and I agree!

I think this nation has forgotten 9-11 and the after effects. It is a shame because if we aren't on guard the terrorists are more able to strike again.

[vbhoutex]

I feart Neil is right. I for one will never forget!!! I am extra cautious in public places which I may go to, especially when I am at an airport. Yet, last week when I was at one of our airports here waiting to pick up my daughter I saw unoccupied cars parked in conspicuous places where I would think they shouldn't be. I have to persume they were unmarked police cars since they would not allow anyone to just sit and wait near the terminal, but it sure makes you wonder.

[wx247]

I feart Neil is right. I for one will never forget!!! I am extra cautious in public places which I may go to, especially when I am at an airport. Yet, last week when I was at one of our airports here waiting to pick up my daughter I saw unoccupied cars parked in conspicuous places where I would think they shouldn't be. I have to persume they were unmarked police cars since they would not allow anyone to just sit and wait near the terminal, but it sure makes you wonder.

I feel the same way David.

[Lindaloo]

I agree that some have forgotten Sept. 11th.

[j]

I'm just reminded of the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993. I remember a policeman on the scene saying something like, "Well, they'll never attack this place again." He was partly right. For years, they didn't. About eight years, to be exact.

Terrorists aren't short-term thinkers. It is a big pity we are.

This pretty much sums it up. Proof that people do forget and many have already forgotten about 911, because nothing has happened since.

[GalvestonDuck]

I voted that I agree also, but didn't get a chance to post about it before lunch.

So, who voted no and why?

[southerngale]

I was wondering the same thing duckie.

I usually agree with Neil...his Common Sense segment shows a lot of well, common sense. I will never forget 9/11 and I do think most people don't realize how much goes on behind the scenes to keep us safe. Keep in mind that while Bush is being criticized for emphasizing too much on the War on Terror, if he wasn't and we were attacked, well, I can hear it now.
With some people, they will be critical no matter what he does.

[BocaGirl]

So, who voted no and why?

I voted NO!

Of course I haven't forgotten. Neither have my friends, co-workers, neighbors or family. In fact, I don't think there's anyone who wasn't touched by the events of 9-11 and ultimately changed by them.

Think about this-how likely are you to smile and say hi to a stranger who is obviously a Muslim or of Arabic descent? I've observed people in airports, grocery stores and Walmarts look the other way or look with suspicion at those people and yet have no qualms talking openly with other people they obviously just met. (I'm ashamed to say I am guilty of this too-especially when I am alone and the stranger is an Arabic man. )

Most everyone I know still wants revenge with a capital R. They might not talk about it all the time. But no one has forgotten the lives that were lost.

It's not feasible in the open society in which we live to convert to a police state. And the added cost of searching every car and bag would be crippling to most municipalities. While I agree that it's easy to criticize the authorities for seeming to be too lax sometimes, I have to wonder what goes on behind the scenes. How many attacks have been stopped that the general public will never know about? How many would-be terrorists are in jail?

One more thing-I'd rather live my life proudly in the sunshine than cower in fear. And if that seems like I'm forgetting that awful day in September, let me tell you firsthand, no way. But fear is what the terrorists expected. They wanted to disrupt our society through panic and fear. So by going about our daily business, we are sending a message - strange as it seems- that says "we haven't forgotten and we're not afraid."

Just my 2 cents.

BocaGirl

[Josephine96]

I believe a lot of our great nation has also forgot 9/11.. Everyone says "A 9/11 will never happen here again"

I still think it can and will and Bin Laden's network is just waiting for us to go silent before he strikes..

[Fishmn]

Great reply Bocagirl. I'm sure you havent forgotten after that. The problem is the greater nation as a whole has. When Democrats greatest platforms are social programs and how Bush lied. Listen to Kerry or Edwards speaches and try to find an instance where they say that they will continue the fight on terrorism. In fact Kerry has said that he considers terrorism no matter how large a criminal matter and not an act of war. Someone buy that man a clue! He is however playing to his base which in a recient poll put national security at 6% of the things democrats are most concearned about. Guess what was #1? You guessed it the economy. I live close enough to NYC to know many that were affected on that tragic day. My county lost 37 people and three of my coustomers were on the plane that went into tower 1. My best friend worked in the building next to WTC and saw the first impact from the rooftop he was working on. It took him 15 hours to get home. I cant forget. I will never forget. People that dont learn from the past are condemed to repeat it!

[chadtm80]

Some have forgoten.. Fortunatly though, our president is not one of them

[rainstorm]

forgotten. the tape of those people jumping to their deaths to escape burning alive should be replayed everyday.

[JQ Public]

I think we still remember. At least i do