September 11, 2017

When posting about 9-11, one’s first instinct might be to post photos of that awful day.  Of course, the most dreadful photos were of the Twin Towers in Manhattan.  These images were surreal in their horror.  However, 16 years have passed.  And during that time, the area in and around where the Twin Towers stood has been redeveloped . . . reborn, if you will.  As it always does, America stood up to its enemies and is today stronger than ever.  So today, it seems more fitting to celebrate a stronger, more determined America with a photo of today’s One World Trade Center (still known to many as The Freedom Tower).  This new skyscraper conveys a sense of America’s soaring spirit and resilience.

Of course, there will always be threats to our freedoms.  These threats take many shapes and forms.  They come from without and within.  Some threats are overt; others are more insidious, but no less harmful.  As Thomas Jefferson stated regarding such threats: “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”  However, as 9-11 and other such events in our nation’s history demonstrate, sometimes vigilance is not enough.  Citizens must confront threats to our freedoms.  Citizens must show courage.  Locally, many citizens have been doing exactly that . . . standing up for Free Speech, Free Assembly, and the Right to Petition—all First Amendment rights.  These are rights that must be vigorously defended and exercised to ensure their endurance.  That is one of the most important lessons of 9-11.

Tim Becker