Editorial
Inspired Bush readies us for challenge ahead
Riding an enormous wave of domestic emotion and international sympathy, President Bush last night prepared America for a long-term struggle against the deadly specter of international terrorism.
Bush performed superbly as he made demands of his fellow citizens at home and foreign states abroad — friendly and not friendly — for patience, for sacrifice and for courage.
How those demands will be met will be the long-term test of the president's speech. And there are no guarantees that what he asked last night can, or will, be delivered.
But there can be no doubt that Bush laid out — in calm, steely terms — precisely what we face and what we must do.
Domestically, Americans were asked to begin immediately on the task of rebuilding our national economy and our national confidence. That means returning to work, restoring our routines and caring for our families and neighbors.
It means, in short, sustaining on a long-term basis the magnificent spirit of cooperation and courage shown by those who responded in the first dark hours after the terrorist attacks. This won't be easy, but it must be done.
Our national political leaders showed by example the approach we must take. Republican and Democratic Senate leaders stood together to make statements of support, of cooperation and of optimism that the task will be met. The rest of us must do no less.
It means showing patience, a word used pointedly by the president. In this, he was advising us that our anger, our revulsion at the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon will not be met with swift or intemperate revenge. Instead, it will be met with a sustained campaign of economic, diplomatic and military force that may lack the sweet taste of instant retribution but offers far better hope for success.
We must give the president and those he leads time to complete this job in a way that will last, and will offer us lasting pride in a job well and properly done.
Internationally, Bush's agenda was laid out in harsh and unrelenting terms: Other nations, he warned, will either be with us in this fight or with the terrorists. There will be no middle ground.
That presents a sobering challenge for nations that have little fondness for the United States but cannot afford to face a future poisoned by international terrorism. What will "with us" mean in this context? Defining that term will be a huge diplomatic challenge that cannot be resolved by slogans.
For instance, the Russians see the breakaway province of Chechnya as a matter of terrorism; China has spoken of terrorism and the stubborn independence of Taiwan as being part and parcel of the same problem.
Or what of Pakistan? It is "with us," but that cooperation may come at a terrible cost, perhaps even the collapse of the government of that nation.
Beyond the "with us or against us" question, there is the definition of terrorism itself. Defining what "terrorism" means in the current context will be a challenge. Terrorism, after all, is not a group or a state — it is a technique used by those who believe they have lost hope of changing their world by any other means. Bush's only clue as to what he means came when he said he is thinking of those who use terrorism "with a global reach."
Then there is the Taliban in Afghanistan. Bush was chillingly resolute. The leaders of Afghanistan were presented with a list of demands that include turning over Osama bin Laden, his followers and all others linked to his al-Qaida organization, a shadowy network that has a presence in many nations, including — apparently — our own.
These demands, Bush made clear, are not open to negotiation or debate: "They will hand over the terrorists or they will share in their fate."
A frightening thought, surely, for those who harbor terrorists and a frightening thought for all Americans, as they consider the bloody price we are preparing to inflict on those citizens of governments that will not give us our way.
After a traumatic week, Americans — the world, really — needed reassurance, resolve and a sign that our leadership remains strong in the midst of a shattered world.
On that front, President Bush performed flawlessly last night. As he left the chambers of the United States Capitol, a remarkable sight presented itself. Our leader went off to his terrible work blessed by cheers, hugs, bi-partisan handshakes and even the enthusiastic applause of the justices of the United States Supreme Court.
We are ready.
