The other day I was sitting at work with the television blaring in the background. As usual, not a soul was paying attention. Suddenly, a campaign ad recounting President Bush’s record and images of Sept. 11 radiated from the screen. Everyone started paying attention.
After the ad first aired, people came from the corners of society, enraged by a two-second clip of the smoking World Trade Center ruins.
A handful of victims’ family organizations spoke out regarding their disgust with Bush’s ad.
The major group causing all the controversy was September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows.
Colleen Kelly, the director of the group, declared that the ads were “absolutely inappropriate.”
Few media outlets pointed out that this group is partially funded by the Tides Center with ties to Teresa Heinz Kerry or that it opposed the Afghanistan War as well as the Iraqi War.
The group also supports starkly liberal organizations such as MoveOn.org and antiwar.com.
The International Association of Fire Fighters Union, an organization that endorsed John Kerry, followed suit and lashed out against the ads.
They would all have a point if a car dealership used the images in a commercial to generate a profit.
These groups believe the Bush-Cheney campaign is using the vile attacks against America to be re-elected. And they are somewhat right.
The campaign is more specifically using the manner in which President Bush handled the national tragedy and the American peoples determination to continue fighting terror.
But, only these few groups see a problem with that. Or maybe it’s just that they are politically motivated.
The president’s record and our nation’s path have been determined by those attacks on Sept. 11.
The day after terrorists brought war to our nation, Bush stood on the rubble in New York City with the firefighters and gave America support and steady leadership. He gave us the passion and determination to bring the evildoers to justice.
The two seconds of Ground Zero footage in no way demeaned, disgraced or dishonored the fallen heroes and victims of that day.
It was a fitting reminder of the passion felt, the horror inflicted upon America and the leadership former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Governor George Pataki and President George W. Bush blessed our nation with.
Giuliani, who was up close and personal with the victims, heroes and horror of the attacks, supports the ad.
“His leadership on that day is central to his record, and his continued leadership is critical to our ultimate success against world terrorism,” Giuliani said.
Flight 93 that went down in Somerset County, Penn., only a little more than an hour from my home, was spared from wreaking havoc on another target by the heroism of a few men like Tom Burnett. He died a hero, leaving behind his wife Deena and three young children.
His wife spoke out after left-wing organizations tried to neutralize Bush’s ads. She supported the ads by saying that they were “a perfect reminder of what happened that day.”
It is heartbreaking that only a few people are truly saddened by the pictures represented in the ads.
But in the end, we can only ask ourselves one question. Shall Americans and the Bush-Cheney campaign forget the most unforgettable period in the history of the United States and allow it to fade away as a passing memory?
I say we should never forget. I say show the sad images every day.
Perhaps country music star Daryl Worley in his hit song “Have You Forgotten?” got it right in the first place.
In the song that debuted in 2003, Worley sang, “They took all the footage off my T.V. Said it’s too disturbing for you and me. It’ll just breed anger, that’s what the experts say … If it was up to me I’d show it every day.”
Charlie Swanson is a freshman business administration major. He can be reached at [email protected].