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We all know that our country has suffered a terrible blow, but I can say that I am very proud of how all the people have come
together. It's a shame that it takes such a tragedy to do so. Before September 11th I guess we all walked through life with
the assumption that this type of thing happens in other places, never in America. Well yes it does happen in other parts of
the world, and everyday for that matter. We are no longer immune to terrorism. I hope that it has woken people up and instilled
a sense of awareness in all of us. I hope that people realize that we have a God given right to fight for our freedom. Whether
it means voting in the next election, or picking up an m-16 and wearing stripes on your arms. It's not a duty it's a right.
I grew up hearing war stories from family members. But now we all have a war story to tell, because whether we like it or
not, we are living in a new world. Everyday when you leave your home you are entering a battle zone. The frame of mind 'it
can't happen here' is obsolete and irresponsible.
There is a man whom I had been studying even before sep 11th. His
name was Ahmad Shah Masood. He was a legendary leader of the Northern Alliance. He didn't like the role of leader. But he
accepted it as his role in history. He drove the Soviets from Afghanistan in the 1980s and fought the Talliban's oppression
since 1996. Unfortunately he was assassinated on September 9th by members of the al queda terrorist network posing as journalists.
To Masood I salute you, you were a great man and you have inspired me. And to everyone in America, wake up kids. Freedom isn't
free. It's a loan that many before you paid for. And the time is coming that we may be called upon to pay it back. On September
11th 2001 I realized something. My freedom and the freedom of generations to come is much more important than my life. And
I would die for it in a heartbeat.
Masood
In the wake of this new war we have found ourselves sucked into. I think we have all been overlooking a key factor. I understand
that we suffered a terrible blow as a nation. But we also need to realize that the people of Afghanistan have been suffering
for a long time.
This is something I have been following for many years. Since the Soviet invasion in the 1980`s.
Behind the rebel movement in Afghanistan was a legendary leader named Ahmad Shah Masood.
He was a great soldier,
teacher, general, scholar, father, husband and beyond that he was a man like you and I. A man who didn't want to be a hero.
A man who had been fighting oppression for most of his life. A man whose role in history was written even before he was born.
This was a true Muslim, and lived a traditional Muslim lifestyle. But who also believed in equal rights and freedom for all
of his people. I can't explain how proud it makes me feel to see civilians stand up and take responsibility for their country
and their people. War is fucking hard and nasty business. No one in their right mind would want to pick up a rifle and dedicate
the rest of their lives to conflict, especially in their own country. Masood was a man of honor and he did this because he
loved his people. On September 9th 2001 he was assassinated by the al queta terrorist network posing as journalists. Bin Laden
thought that this would turn the conflict in his favor. Terrorists don't understand honor. They only understand pain and fear.
Human strength and integrity go so far beyond the flesh. Tomorrow when you wake up safe in your bed far away from the war,
think of your freedom. Think of all those who selflessly died for it. Freedom is so much more than a theory or a piece of
paper. It is a right granted to us by God. Since his death I have read and researched so much about this man, and my respect
for him grows more every day. Two days ago Northern Alliance rebels engaged Talliban forces, shouting long live Masood as
they drove their oppressors from the capitol city of Kabul. Women took off their veils, men shaved their beards and once again
music and happiness filled the streets. You can kill a man, you can murder an entire nation, but you can never enslave a people
with radical ideas. As long as people like Masood walk the earth, they will dedicate their lives to liberty no matter what
the cost. In my opinion that is what heroes are made of. My only hope is that someday in an afterlife some where I can shake
his hand and thank him for being such an inspiration to my life.
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