The September 11th attack
Hawai'i residents find solace in president's words
| • | Taliban rejects Bush call to turn over bin Laden |
| • | Text of President Bush's address to the nation |
|
|
Editorial: Inspired Bush readies us for challenge ahead |
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Nancy Enos wept as she listened to President Bush address the country yesterday. She said she felt comfort in his words, and felt as if the president's arms were around the nation's shoulders.
"It was one of the most riveting speeches that I've heard in a long time," the Honolulu resident said. "He was saying it doesn't matter, Democrats, Republicans, Muslim, Catholic, Jew, we're all in this together."
Enos: "It was one of the most riveting speeches that I've heard in a long time."
Many other Hawai'i residents who watched Bush's 35-minute speech agreed with Enos. They said his words of encouragement and hope were what the nation wanted — and needed — to hear.
"What I wanted to hear as an American was our government is really trying to do something," said McCully resident Harry Stewart. "The way he rallied the nation, and gone to the world community, really made me feel better."
The 59-year-old former Marine choked up when he talked about Lisa Beamer. Bush honored her during his speech for the heroism of her husband, Todd, a passenger who died in a hijacked jet that officials believe was intended to crash at the White House or the Capitol.
"Look at that woman," Stewart said through tears. "She lost her husband. He had to take that plane down. That's a true American. Whatever you report, that's the people of America right there."
Although he did not know anyone who died or is missing because of the attacks, Stewart has been affected by the downturn in the economy. He has seen his hours cut back at his job at the Galleria in Waikiki and he knows that things could get worse.
Stewart: Brought to tears talking about the widow of Flight 93 passenger.
"I'm going to suffer because of my cut in hours, but I'm willing to do that if we can bring the terrorism down," Stewart said. "This isn't going to be easy. I know that. But the fact that (Bush) is portraying to the American people that it is going to be a long battle, makes me feel like our government knows what it's doing."
Although Bush did not say when or how the country would retaliate against the terrorists, most residents know that military action is inevitable. Bush himself told the members of the armed services to "be ready."
Daniel Phillips, 29, said he doesn't want to see men and women die in a war. The Waikiki resident said he was glad to hear that the president isn't rushing into any military action.
"I thought he was trying to make us feel patient in our pursuit for justice, and that justice will come," Phillips said. "Some military action is needed. Anytime we can weaken their oppression on people, is what we have to do."
Phillips said he also was pleased to hear the president say this is not a war against Muslims or any one country or religion. He said he was concerned that Americans would take their anger out on innocent people.
Phillips: Doesn't want the president to rush into military action.
Bob Wong, 68, of Kaimuki said he will put his trust in Bush and knows that the president will do the right thing. Wong also praised Bush for not hiding his emotions.
"He has feelings just like us. He's just another person just like us. He's a president with feelings," Wong said.
Enos said she would support the president if he sent troops to destroy the terrorist groups.
"We're ready for it. And it's not just the people who are going to fight it, but it's also their families and everyone else and I think everybody's prepared for that situation."
But University of Hawai'i student Judy Antoine of New York disagreed and said the speech sounded more like a pep rally. Antoine said she doesn't support military action.
"I don't think people ultimately want to go to war," she said. "People say we need to go to war, but they're not the ones who are going to fight if there is a war. People just want to feel like they're doing something in reaction to getting hurt."
Antoine: Speech sounded like a pep rally; doesn't support military action.
She also disagreed with Bush, who said the terrorists attacked because they were jealous of all that Americans have.
"I don't think that's really the gist of it," she said. "It's more of a government concern and what governments have done to each other and to the people of different countries. I think it's more than being jealous."
But Army reservist Jorge Corbalan of Kailua said the president did a good job of pulling the nation together. Should a war break out, Corbalan, 39, said he probably is too old to see any action.
"But if I was required to, then I have to go. That's the bottom line," he said. "I am prepared mentally and physically. That's what we do."
