9/11 - 5 Years Later

by Kerry Thomas

September 10, 2006

“If you can keep your head while those around you are losing theirs….”

September 11, 2001 was a wake-up call for most Americans. It was a tragic day for the families directly involved, for those who were killed or injured in the attacks.

For me, as an editorial writer safely sheltered on the campus of the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, it was a stark reminder that Freedom is never free.

Like many of you, I witnessed the events of the day via television. Within a few hours, my editor called and asked me to re-write that week’s editorial piece. I remembered a quote from Chief Dan George in the movie The Outlaw Josey Wales, and titled my piece “We Must Endeavor To Persevere.” As a non-traditional, rather conservative student at a liberal university, I wanted to remind readers that the world did not come to an end that day.

While university officials were busy calling in grief counselors, I got on the phone to help organize a community blood drive. I called the Red Cross to see what was needed. I contacted local hospital officials to see how the students could help.

Americans have a long history of rising to meet any challenge. We’re at our best when things look the bleakest. While some of us seem to fall to pieces when tragedy strikes, more of us rise to the challenge. It’s called the enduring American Spirit.

On September 11, 2001 we were all Americans. We weren’t fighting amongst ourselves over petty differences. Everything that is great about America was on full display that fateful day.

It didn’t last very long.

By 7:30 that night, petty partisan political division was once again on full display on the UWEC campus. The Forum’s speaker scheduled that night was one Helen Caldicott, a radical lefty Australian anti-nuclear activist who puts Cindy Sheehan to shame.

Caldicott began by telling the crowd of about 1700 how Australia stood with America in this time of grief. But then she launched into an hour-long diatribe about how George W. Bush was the most corrupt President in American history, how he was single-handedly going to start a nuclear World War 3, and how it was our duty, as Americans, to bodily storm the White House and physically throw him out. (Isn’t it a federal crime to threaten the President?)

As Caldicott continued her rant, people began to get up and walk out. But at the end of her presentation, most of the remaining 1000 stood and cheered wildly. Then came the question and answer period.

One lone young woman patiently waited her turn. She was so upset her voice was cracking as she spoke. She told Caldicott “How dare you. How dare you come here tonight and lecture us about our President.” This woman took Caldicott to task over her remarks. Caldicott tried to belittle the young woman, but she stood her ground.

The audience, those who had remained and cheered Caldicott’s remarks, began to boo and hiss. They shouted at this poor woman to sit down, go away, to shut up. They displayed none of the tolerance they demanded be shown for their leftist ideology.

Later, as a member of the Forum’s advisory panel, I related this story to Ann Coulter. She said she could come address UWEC as part of the Forum series, and even agreed to do so for the same price the university had paid Caldicott (about 25% of Coulter’s normal speaking fee). But the Forum decided a conservative like Ann Coulter would be too controversial.

As you reflect on September 11, remember the cost paid by so many for our Freedom. Thank the men and women who safeguard us every day. Remember that freedom of speech is a two-way street. Remember your obligation as a citizen living in a representative republic to vote. Exercise your rights at every opportunity, least they slowly whither and become only a memory.