By ending the hysteria and by regaining a sense of proportion and perspective, our citizens will be less likely to irrationally surrender our LIBERTY to the government agencies, or to allow any government official to use the shock of the attacks to make claims like, “This changes everything…” then go about taking steps that suspend portions of our Constitution (as we witnessed during the Bush regime).

Blubbering on and on about this, like Glenn Beck, only serves to strengthen and embolden those who would like to try to top their predecessors. Also, a continued hysterical reaction by the citizens will be used by the more ambitious politicians, of either party, to use your fears as leverage to usurp your rights and consolidate their own power.

We see this same tactic employed by current Virginia candidates who try to scare the Sally Soccermoms into voting for them, claiming that they (the politicians) will protect your children from, “predators.” Nevermind that such crimes are among the most rare, but the politicians have focus group data that show that pushing those emotional buttons will win the irrational support of the Soccermoms.

So, try to make a sober assessment of what happened and where we now are. A major landmark was destroyed, another building damaged and 3,030 were killed. We now must get a grip on reality, resolve to take affirmative steps to strengthen our offensive and defensive capabilities, but never compromise the core protections to our citizens provided by our Constitution.

Or, you can continue to seek some sort of group hug, then see where that gets you.

If someone sucker punches you, do you get up and act like it didn’t happen? No.

Today should be no different. It is not about putting the body count in “perspective” but recognize that the attacks on U.S. soil have pulled us into this fight.

The folly of today is many believe we have a war on “terror”. Terror is not the enemy, it is only one of many tools our enemy is employing to achieve its objective around the world. Their objective is our submission. Period.

We must deal effectively not only with the front line fighters, but those who work behind the scenes, the recruiters and their masterminds, the coaches, trainers and sideline cheerleaders.

The growing complacency and eagerness for negotiations will only provide at best a temporary reprieve and leave others to do what our generation must.

The more we mourn, the more they dance and shoot their AK-47s into the air in celebration.

Tangible plans to strengthen our defenses and building an even faster rapid response capability, are the sort of memorials we should be building.

As someone who has lived and worked in the Middle East, I have a deep appreciation of the mind set of those from that region who may be potential enemies of the United States. Everyone from that region does not love us, nor does everyone hate us, but those who hate our country are surely watching to see our country reacts to previous acts of terrorism.

When they see how we continue to have a hysterical response to the attacks, rather than placing those loses into the perspective of all of the other losses of life our society endures each year, then we embolden those who may wish to stage similar or more grandiose attacks.

Americans also must never allow the grief felt over the Attacks to convince us to allow political leaders to suspend our Constitutional protections, or to use our military power without the consent of the People.

What I am hoping to see here in America is a course of action that places resources behind strengthening our defenses against terrorism, in sustainable programs.

Remembering that the Attacks happened and honoring those who perished, along with those who saved lives, is appropriate, but I want our potential enemies to see us, standing tall, moving forward, strengthening our defenses, not just appearing to be still on our knees with grief.

Ballance represents those that do not understand that there are people and nations out there willing to sacrifice their lives to end our nation. Ballance thinks that maybe if we just act better and not make a big deal out of 9-11, they won’t bother us. What Ballance will not admit to himself is the United States is a beacon of freedom and democracy that enrages these miscreants to kill innocents.

We will never surrender and squander the sacrifice of the Patriots we lost that day - and the days since. One life lost to those bastards is enough to justify our commitment.

ONCE AGAIN I HAVE TO SAY YOUR AN ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANNUAL US DEATHS BY CATEGORY

1. Tobacco 435,000
2. Poor Diet and Physical Inactivity 365,000
3. Alcohol 85,000
4. Microbial Agents 75,000
5. Toxic Agents 55,0001
6. Motor Vehicle Crashes 26,347
7. Reactions to Prescription Drugs 32,000
8. Suicide 30,622
9. Incidents Involving Firearms 29,000
10. Homicide 20,308
11. Sexual Behaviors 20,000
12. All Illicit Drug Use, 17,000
13. Non-Steroidal Drugs Such As Aspirin 7,600
14. Total Deaths All 9/11 Attacks 3030

I remember the horror of what happened 8 years ago today. Sitting in a quiet office in Alexandria, and suddenly having my entire world turned upside down. Hearing the horrendous “boom” when Flight 77 hit the Pentagon, and then seeing the column of …