LESS THAN a week ago, we saw one of the most tragic anniversaries in our nation's history come and go quicker than many anticipated it would just one year ago. The first anniversary of September 11 -- an event that has shaped our generation -- brought remembrance, reflection and strength to continue on through the rest of the week. Everyone naturally reflected upon exactly where they were around Grounds when they first heard the news. Beautiful displays and memorials along with solemn yet strengthening ceremonies were seen across Grounds. For a commemoration with such tragic memories, the day was beautiful. That is, until the marring effects and actions of our president during this time. President Bush's address to the American public, while exuding sentiment, was nothing more than languid drivel.
There is an immense dissappointment in seeing our president so devoid of emotion and taken with politics on that day. September 11 should be a day of emotion and expression, not one for manipulating the minds of American people with words of political persuasion mixed with those of comfort and sympathy. Bush stated, "For all Americans, it has been a year of adjustment, of coming to terms with the difficult knowledge that our nation has determined enemies." Though true, this statement, made in the first few lines of the address, set the defensive tone for the rest of the evening. Statements such as this, that reinforced the "us-versus-them" mentality, were overtly inappropriate for a day that should have focused on unity instead of divisiveness.
Bush offered, in his too-briefly understated speech delivered on Ellis Island, something reminiscent of a prayer vigil and appeared to be a commercial in preparation for future re-elections. With the Statue of Liberty perfectly positioned as his backdrop, the address to the American public was unsubstantial, unfulfilling and unsatisfactory to cater to this event properly. Instead of relaying sympathy and courage to the awaiting public, Bush chose to take cheap shots at our "enemies."
Most disgusting were the inherent comparisons between "us" and "them," that is, Americans versus our unspecified "enemies." This time should not have been used to further separate the mentality of Americans from everyone else in the world. Besides, some of "them" culturally are Americans as well, and statements concerning the higher morality of the American people are ridiculous and out of place. For instance, Bush stated that our value for life is based upon the fact that "every life is a gift of the creator who intended us to live in liberty and equality." Here in our precious country, we may have the right to liberty and justice for all, but it doesn't always happen that way. Just ask any of the Americans of Middle Eastern descent who are still suffering racial profiling on a regular basis -- is this our idea of equality? Such trite statements that obscure reality are both condescending and degrading
to a knowlegeable audience.
Bush also stated, "More than anything else, this separates us from the enemy we fight. We value every life. Our enemies value none, not even the innocent, not even their own." Who exactly is our enemy? Most people, amid this supposed war on terrorism, are not even sure anymore. Is it Osama Bin Laden? The Taliban? Or maybe just the patriarchy of Afghan society? By stressing this as an "us-versus-them" conflict, Bush is furthering an issue already more polemical than it ever should have been allowed to be. It only continued when Bush stated, "We seek the freedom and opportunity that give meaning and value to life." Apparently, we do this by continuing to send our men over to fight a war that has lost its fire, drive and purpose in lieu of a mouse hunt gone wrong.
As an American, I am tired. I am tired of the political implications, I am tired of cliches and I am tired of sympathy that seems more driven by a position than real meaning anymore. With phrases such as "what our enemies have begun, we will finish"; "be confident; our country is strong"; and the definitive classic "may God bless America," one cannot help but question the feigned emotion behind these statements which have become whorish tokens of a floundering administration. Bush had the amazing opportunity to address this nation with open and honest answers. Instead, he desperately shaped a commercialized speech that he hoped would include enough phrases to calm the people while still sounding confident in the actions the country has taken.
Last Wednesday is a day that holds important memories for people across this country, but unsubsiding discontent still resides in the way that perhaps the most prominent figure in our country handled the anniversary date. The country had high expectations for Bush to come through, and unfortunately, he was unsuccessful at even this fragile attempt. Not often is a president given an opportunity to grieve and remind people of his humanity, not his position. Sadly, this was a time when Bush did not capitalize on this opportunity.
(Amey Adkins' column appears Tuesdays in The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at aadkins@cavalierdaily.com.)
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