President brought relative safety to our nation

I’ll admit I haven’t been thrilled with every moment of the Bush administration. I do think, however, that given the passage of years, historians will look more favorably upon his time in office than many now would ever imagine.

Does anyone remember the fear that gripped this nation after 9/11? The belief that our cities, our sports events, our malls, even our churches would be targets for a broad, sweeping series of similar attacks? Does anyone recall the chill that arose when people died from anthrax during that very same time period?

Anyone remember being almost afraid to open your mail? I certainly do.

But the USA has instead experienced a time of relative safety. We’ve forgotten the pain of the twin towers crashing to the ground. And in our relative comfort, we’ve abandoned that brief moment of unity when the entire nation held hands with the Congress in singing “God Bless America.”

Instead, we’ve returned to our squabbles, our insults, and our petty little slanders of one another. We’ve forgotten the fact that we do indeed have real enemies — and they don’t wear the label of Republican or Democrat.

America faces many difficult challenges ahead, and most of us wish the incoming administration well. Our nation and our shared future matters too much to wish ill to any administration, present or past. Let’s debate serious matters with passion and integrity, absolutely.

But let us also remember the proud heritage and noble ideals we all share as Americans. For better or worse, in my humble opinion President Bush did the best job he could. And God willing, let us all pray our next president serves with honor, courage and wisdom. Because all of us face the future together.

Jack Turk