40 DAYS OF TERROR - America vs the United States

On September 10, 2001, America was a superficial society assaulted by selfish interests and battered by the failures of good intentions. America was a nation wrought with social aggression, political rancor, legal anarchy, incompetent government, failed education and excessive commercialism. Yet to most people, life in America was business as usual, unalterable under the circumstances.

Then the sun came up on September 11th and America stood still, shocked at the sight of horrific terror in progress at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a deadly hole in the ground in a Pennsylvania field. Over 5,000 people's lives were snuffed out and thousands were injured by ghastly terrorist attacks. To most people it was unbelievable, unacceptable under any circumstances.

America reacted with patriotism, compassion and generosity -- united in seeking justice by waging war against terrorism to make the country safe. However, just 40 days later, on October 20th, America is steeped in fear over anthrax scares, biological, chemical and nuclear paranoia, reactionary government, economic uncertainty and media-driven chaos.

September 11th was the day that changed America. Question is, can our deeply rankled society handle it? Probably, but only if our democracy matures enough to deal with it and get it right. Otherwise, we could easily be reduced from America vs terrorism to a self-destructive case of America vs the United States.

Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
The Direct Democracy Center