July 4: A Time for Celebration and Reflection

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, July 04, 2002

July 4: A Time for Celebration and Reflection

Today is July 4, the National Day of the United States, a time for Americans to pay homage to their nation's founders, say thanks to all who have ever contributed to prosperity and vitality on this God's blessed land, and bask in the sunshine of freedom. But can really all Americans cheer the holiday as heartily as before?

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Today is July 4, the National Day of the United States of America.

This is, as usual, a time for Americans to pay homage to their nation's founders, say thanks to all who have ever contributed to prosperity and vitality on this God's blessed land, and bask in the sunshine of freedom.

All in all, this is a day for celebration. President George W. Bush obviously hopes it is.

On Tuesday, Bush called for Americans to join him Thursday in public celebrations of the Fourth of July.

"People ought to be joyous in their celebration and celebrate the fact that we're fortunate enough to be Americans," said Bush, planning to go out and about himself for the special date, leading a parade in West Virginia and enjoying the capital's traditional fireworks show from a White House balcony.

But can really all Americans cheer the holiday as heartily as before? - Hardly, I am afraid.

The tightened air control over New York's space, the increased number of vigilant patrols along the streets in big cities, the gas masks in readiness and all the other security measures just keep reminding them of one fact: Life is quite different after September 11 last year.

After that day, Americans are at war. But the war in front is so abnormal: They do not know when to draw their firearms, make the charges and, above all, when the war can be won over.

The enemy is terrorism, whose phantom is tangible, but seemingly nowhere to catch.

A time to reflect

Terrorism is not a new term for Americans, but never has it been so pervasive.

Some people attributed the terrorism to the Cold War. Its sudden end throws those once favored by a certain party in the war and therefore valued in the world into an abrupt futility. The post-Cold-War strategic reshuffle in the global political and economic landscape has also pushed some countries to the fringe in today's World affairs, which in return drives them to extremist doctrines and actions.

Some would rather pick up poverty as the reason. Terrorism is, for those impoverished, a means to scratch open a ray of hope for life.

Still others point their finger at religion. Terrorism is, they think, a clash between distinct religious beliefs.

Or, the reason is simply a mixture of all the above.

Whatever the reason might be, one thing is clear: Terrorism is not aimed merely at a certain exact nation, it's shadowing over the whole world.

Dead in the burning New York twin building are not only Americans, but also those from Asia, Africa, Europe and some other places.

When the terrorism jerks its evil head, hovering in its eyes is contempt of and provocation against the entire humanity rather than just the US, despite the fact that Americans are suffering the worst from it now.

So, when Americans rise to confront terrorists' insanity, they must first win cooperation of all the others who are ready to join them.

Americans can most probably get it, which can be seen from the pouring sorrow and sympathy to Americans from people all over the world during and after the "9.11" tragedy.

But to win the cooperation, Uncle Sam should, first of all, gain his potential allies' trust. Unfortunately, he seems to be running against his intention.

How can other nations stand ready to extend their help when he, Uncle Sam, frenetically exert his utmost to build the National Missile Defense system?

How can Sam really get others' synergetic anti-terrorism actions when he hardens his guts, asking Palestinian leader Arafat to go away as a precondition for his Israel-Palestine peace plan?

Has Sam heard the heartbroken cries when his bomber blew up an Afghan couple's wedding ceremony?

Some might argue that all this is for protecting Americans' lives. But how about others'?

When US politicians proudly quotes "we are all created equal'' out of the Independence Declaration, they are confident that that this be a universal value.

But when they spare little efforts to seek a military superiority over and impose their values upon others, have they found the contradiction between their words and deeds.

The US must understand that the most powerful weapons against terrorism is not gun and powder, but people's heart.

A brave and dreamland forever

So, it's time now for Uncle Sam to call back the unilateralism in his foreign policies. Unilateralism means irresponsibility and arrogance, which will surely incur the isolation and cold puff of other members of the international community.

America is, at least for Americans, a dreamland.

It is so for its vibrant hi-tech-based economy, its strenuous adherence to and exploration for freedom in flesh and soul, and its solidly established democracy, which could lead the nation away from the wrong and toward the right.

In this sense, Americans think their country a model embodying human values.

So, Americans should not sit back and leave some pompous politicians to steer, under the drive of their personal political will, the nation toward suffering.

America is a brave land.

The world has seen this throughout the nation's birth and its growth. Without question, we have also witnessed it during the "9.11" tragedy, and will continue to observe it in her combat against terrorism.

Just as your national anthem goes:

" ...

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust!'

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"

Congratulations, and good luck, America!

By PD Online staff Allan Tsui

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