Who would have ever thought that anything would ever reach the magnitude of that horrendous day on this continent? But with each day that passes it becomes more apparent that day was only the beginning. It didn't have to be this way. The entire world was united against those who had perpetrated such unspeakable carnage against mankind. But unfortunately there are always those who will capitalize on any opportunity to further their own agendas and those in power were quick to realize the bonanza that had fallen into their hands. And they didn't hesitate to use it once the initial horror had dissipated. I am sure that even they were in a state of shock for a few days after 9/11 but their recovery was rapid as they saw the opportunity  before them. Finally .. they would have the reason to offer the trusting and frightened citizenry to justify the actions they had been planning for so long. And God help us all,  they were not wrong. Everyone, or nearly everyone, bought their rhetoric, hook ... line ... and sinker.

 That day seems so long ago in many respects, and conversely, as if it were only yesterday in others. So much has happened in the intervening months and years. The world which was so united against those who could wreak such havoc is now  divided as never before. Allies are no longer willing to follow without question, trust is no longer a given, and  hatred against us has multiplied around the globe at an alarming rate. 

 The country which was the beacon of Freedom and Liberty, and the model of a democratic society to be envied, is now seen as a power mad  empire bent on  shaping the entire world to do it's bidding simply because they have the power and might to do so. Even those who live in America are no longer truly free. Their Freedoms are restricted,  their Rights are at the whim of the current administration in power and even their much cherished right of Free Speech is restricted  beyond any imagining. Neighbour has turned against neighbour, families are divided and the very unity of the country is at risk as never before. The mainstream media has been, to their shame, for the most part neutered. The U.S. Constitution guaranteed many precious rights throughout the history  of the United States of America but those now in power have chosen, when it has suited their agenda, to circumvent those rights in their own grandiose scheme for complete domination. The country which prided itself for so long on equality and reason is now bordering on dictatorship. And all this as they tout their belief in 'Democracy' for all... whether that is the system of another country's choosing or not. Is it any wonder there is so much hatred and mistrust  around the globe toward this wonderful land and it's people ? 

Unfortunately, and perhaps unfairly, a people are judged by the actions and policies of those upon whom they have conferred a leadership role. The fact that  the electorate in 2004 chose to sanction their actions  and re-elect them for a further four years has solidified the opinion around the world that the American people agree with and support the agenda their government is pursuing as they seek to mold the world to their liking.

The abuse of prisoners and refusal to be held to account  for any action taken  or decision made has created a situation whereby very dangerous precedents are being set  which are contrary to everything for which America and all nations of principle have stood for generations.  Sadly, this lead may well  be followed in  the days to come by enemies in the treatment of those who wear the uniform of the country which has set those precedents, as those  making these short sighted and inhumane decisions  remain out of harm's way free to continue on their dangerous course. 

The sadness this engenders in those who have always honoured what America represented is indescribable. There are no words which will adequately express the sorrow one feels  as one watches these events unfold.

 So many died on 9/11 and so many more have died since, the vast majority of whom  were innocent human beings, including a multitude of women and children, who simply got in the way of the 'agenda'. The casualties among the  youngsters who have been sent to offer up their youth in service to their country grow by the day.  Added to the 3000 lives lost on that fateful day now almost four years ago, are the more than 1700 hundred young men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice, add to that the many, many thousands of maimed  whose lives are changed forever and the reality of the cost of this  enterprise begins to sink in. Despite the fact that the government continues to downplay the importance of these numbers by returning them home in the dead of night  in a transparent attempt to keep the citizenry lulled into a sense that things are not as bad as so many say.

 The irony of ironies is that in their myopia they don't even seem to realize that they have aided and abetted the enemy by increasing the numbers of those who wish America harm, and their decisions and actions have made everyone on this continent infinitely less safe in the process.

 How did this happen ? It's really quite simple. Complacency and indifference as those now holding the reins of power were growing stronger by the day. And perhaps most of all naiveté that this could ever happen to the 'greatest nation on earth'. Well folks .. it has happened .. and is continuing to happen as they make inroads by the day in their plan to change the very fabric of  the world. 

That of course presupposes there will even be a world  once they have finished with it.

Or .. is it perhaps not too late ? Is it just remotely possible that the people have finally caught on and  will see that it goes no further ? I do still believe in American ideals and decency and I believe, maybe because I want to so desperately, that the American people will defend their historic values and principles and their beloved country before it is too late.  The signs are all there,  and I am enough of an optimist to believe that just maybe they are about to make their voices heard so that even their government, if not the administration, at least the Congress, will actually be forced to listen and remember that they do serve only at the ' will of the people'.