The tenth anniversary of September 11 was duly marked with solemnity and grace, an amazing grace, one that did honor to all who perished that day and to their families who carry their memories.
A decade is a chronological marker that we easily understand, but what is more difficult at this stage, what is still an early one in broader historical ones, is the long term affects of 9/11 on America's role in the world.
As much as there was a requirement that the U.S. reach out and punish the perpetrators of the 9/11 atrocity, there is the possibility that in the more distant future the U.S. will step back from its frontline engagement with those who wish us evil and withdraw deeper into itself.
The sheer cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, coupled with extremely difficult economic times at home, have had inevitable consequences in the way that we view America's role in the wider world.
Nevertheless, that role must remain one of engagement, not just in military sense, but in terms of ideas and the championing of our values. America is not en enemy of any nation based on its people, or its predominant religious faith. America is not an enemy of any nation or people that even seeks to challenge the United States in the political or economic realm. We welcome debate and fervent competition so long as it takes place within the bounds of acceptable rules and reasonable limitations.
The entire world had a window into America last Sunday. Even the most implacable critics and enemies of our country cannot deny that this is a nation where the highest value is placed on human life, where people stand ready to help their fellow human being in moments of danger and need.
The World Trade Center was an eponymous place on 9/11 2001 and 9/11, 2011.
In 2001, men, women and children from more than 90 nations, of all faiths and no faith, perished as a result of a raw hatred knew no rules or limitations.
There is no place else on earth where death could have affected so much diversity. That, in and of itself, was a fitting riposte to the blind and bigoted merchants of death. Another message was delivered last Sunday, in New York and around the world, again by people if many nationalities and faiths and delivered with solemnity, grace and, perhaps most importantly, a renewed affirmation of life, pure, precious, life.
