The terrorist atrocities of September 11, 2001 seem a distant memory to many Americans and (former) allies of the United States. Indeed, misguided anti-war demonstrators, the unreasonable expectations of the news media, and the selfish interests of France, Germany, Russia and Turkey served only as dangerous detractors frustrating the need to defeat terrorism against our country, in Iraq and everywhere in the world where it rears its ugly head.

Clearly, we should never forget what Americans and citizens of other countries suffered as the result of 9/11. Nor should we forget that it was France, Germany and Russia who delayed and compromised action against Saddam Hussein's murderous, terrorist regime, which caused coalition forces to do battle during the Iraqi sand storm season. Or that Turkey prevented troops and heavy armament from staging and crossing their border into Northern Iraq, further delaying and frustrating the war.

What a shame it is, that our former allies have such short memories. They forget how many times we came to their defense in World War I and World War II. What a shame it is, that innocent people suffer more from second-guessing media and the one-sided demand for politically correct, sanitary wars. And what a shame it is, that the United Nations is worthless, irrelevant and helpless against dictators, despots and terrorist's grip on the hopeless.

DDC