More From Your Editor – A Genuine 9/12 Opportunity

Recently we were all outraged by the disgusting amount of money spent by our government to send Air Force One over New York City to “buzz” the Statue Of Liberty for a photo op.

YES it was an enormous waste of money and YES there were probably a handful of well-connected Obama supporters permitted to ride along and take pictures of the trip… water under the bridge. But that incident did remind many of us about the beautiful lady standing in New York Harbor, and what a powerful symbol she is to the entire world. The Statue of Liberty shows the entire world that our country is perhaps the only place where EVERYONE is welcome to come and join us in this amazing experiment we call Freedom.

Sadly, Lady Liberty’s crown had been closed since 9-11-2001.  A victim of the overreaction by our government to the murderous attacks by the terrorists. This writer believes we should not have cowed after the attacks, but rather carried on with our lives, showing those who would seek to destroy America that we are not only a worthy adversary, but their worst nightmares. We will go on with our lives as we fight and defeat you.

Fortunately for all of us, someone is getting the message and since last week, the Statue of Liberty’s crown is again open.  Today I was one of the lucky few who made the climb.   I encourage as many of you as possible to get tickets and make the trip.

After paying a small fee ($15.00) , enduring a lengthy security screening, and climbing the 146 steps (about 12 stories) to the crown, I feel even more certain about our mission.  The experience is one that is so personal it defies description without overuse of superlatives.  I dare say that my eyes were raining with pride.  I’m going back again on 9/9 (that’s as close as I could get to 9/11 or 9/12).

If you have the time and are able to plan ahead, you will be able to experience what I just did.  You’ll climb the narrow staircase and see the world as Miss Liberty sees it. You’ll feel the heartbeats of hope from the tens of millions of immigrants who came here before us and worked to make this country great.  And you must also keep in mind the chilling poem from Emma Lazarus – a poem often excerpted, but rarely read/heard in it’s entirety.

“The New Colossus”
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

God Bless America