The Lessons of 9-11

So, here we are. September 11, five years ago, already.

It's often said that September 11 changed everything. But that's not correct.

Yes, it did change many things.

It suddenly made us feel more vulnerable. And we still feel that way today.

It taught us we have a common enemy - Islamic fundamentalists.

It made us realize we must forget about politics, and pull together as one nation - in order to fight that common enemy.

But there are other things that did not change.

Even after September 11...

We are still a nation of law. Where our basic constitutional freedoms must be preserved.

We are still a democracy, not a dictatorship. Where the president has limited powers.

We are still one nation, among many. Where, no matter how powerful, we cannot go alone in fighting many global problems, including terrorism.

And we are still one nation, among many. Where, no matter how powerful, we have no right to run around the globe, launching pre-emptive wars, and forcing our own way of life on others.

This fifth anniversary of September is a time to consider how lucky we are to be Americans...

And to reflect on all the important lessons we learned on September 11.

There were good lessons learned, and bad ones. Unfortunately, George Bush learned only the bad ones.