More than eight years after Sept. 11, Americans still remember what happened that day; they remember watching the planes hit the Twin Towers and the feeling of dread and confusion that followed.
Many people, however, have forgotten the overwhelming patriotism that resulted in the months following the attacks.
Americans came together with an overwhelming respect and appreciation for their country, regardless of social differences.
On Thursday, people all over Texas were shocked when a small private plane was crashed into an Internal Revenue Service office in Austin.
Joseph Stack, a 53-year-old software engineer who had apparently become fed up with the government, set fire to his house and proceeded to crash his plane into the building. Stack and one IRS employee died in the crash.
In a note Stack posted on his Web site before his death, he said, “I choose to not keep looking over my shoulder at ‘big brother’ while he strips my carcass.”
While investigators have not yet associated Stack with any terrorist group, his actions of committing murder and damaging a government building served to terrify the country.
The U.S. is in the midst of a war and a major economic crisis; many people disagree with the actions and decisions of their public leaders, and as this is a free country, they have the right to do so.
But when someone decides to turn their disagreement and disgust into an act of hatred, they are obviously taking things too far.
People don’t have to support the war to support the troops, nor must they support President Barack Obama’s leadership to support America.
It’s possible to not agree with something on a personal level and still be open-minded enough to know when something is right for the country.
When Stack decided to rebel against the government, his misplaced anger brought an end to his own life and the life of an innocent man, and terrified the entire nation.
Stack had the opportunity to openly and peacefully protest certain government policies he disagreed with, but instead felt the most appropriate way to deal with his anger was through domestic terror.
While there are probably not many people in the world overcome with enough anger and fervor to commit murder, voices of opposition need to take into consideration the best way to convey their differing views to the world.
Whether someone agrees with everything the government does should not cloud their overall perception of this great nation.
I will be the first to admit that I disagree with many of the president’s politics, but I love this country regardless, and I will always be proud to be an American.
Liz Price is a communication junior and may be contacted at [email protected]
