We join all Americans and people of good will around the world in expressing outrage at the horrific terrorist attacks on our nation. Our country and our world will never be the same, and we are only beginning to understand the enormity of the threat and the challenges that lie ahead. Our first and greatest priority must be to recognize that our enemy is evil to the core and, if not deterred, has the means to cause even greater destruction. The world is looking to America once again to be the beacon of freedom that will take the lead, with support from every corner of the globe, in turning back this enemy. President Bush and his Administration have risen to the occasion and we stand firm with them, offering our full support in the difficult time ahead.
As we gird ourselves for this new war on terrorism, we know that confronting terrorists is particularly difficult because they have no government and do not abide by any laws or code of moral decency. Therefore, we need to recalibrate the existing balance between security precautions and individual liberties.
As we move forward, we must protect our civil liberties, which make us who we are, at the same time that we provide law enforcement with new tools to safeguard our security. We have every right to protect ourselves and our nation, even if doing so requires us to submit to more expansive searches of person and property and perhaps other new limitations on our daily activities.
Today our wounds are fresh and our emotions are raw. The anger, the determination to root out those responsible, and the urge for vengeance, are strong. The attack against America was an attack against us all and no person or group should be singled out for hatred, prejudice or bigotry based on ethnicity or religion.
We are deeply and profoundly saddened by our nation's immense loss of life and injury on September 11. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and the friends of the victims. We also share the nation's pride in the heroic efforts of the rescuers.
