Like a young couple forced into an arranged marriage (something you would be far more familiar with than I) I don't like you, and you don't like me. Still, I have much for which to thank you. I understand how contradictory being thankful may sound to you, but I assure you this is not a joke, unlike the literacy rate among your children in Afghanistan. For that I will refrain from making any other jokes for the rest of this letter because, as you will see, I have much to genuinely thank you for. ...
And there is still more I would like to thank you for, Islamic extremists. You cannot break the will of this country, or that of its people, and while you won't stop trying, you will only succeed in making us stronger. With every sand-lot plot of yours we foil, every amateur video you shoot with our thrown-away camcorders spouting your anti-American propaganda, millions of Americans are taking it personally, and doing something about it. You have given us something to fight for together. You've taken selfish, lazy youth like me and turned them into great Americans, great people who are physically and mentally equipped to deal with anything you throw at us. With the constant threat of your cowardly attacks the people of my country are ever diligent to protect each other and the morals that bind us together. Without you and your actions in the past, present, and future, I promise you our focus would not be so clear as we set our sights on you.
Though you've had success in breaking the hearts of families across this country whose loved ones have died as a result of your terrorist attacks, or in protecting the innocent from you, it only hardens the souls of those who surround them. Your small victories provide far more powerful motivation to the caring communities of the American people. Their loss is a nation's collective gain, and that loss will not be in vain. In time, even the families of our fallen heroes will be stronger because of your actions, and they, too, will unite against you. You have provided an example, for all of mankind, of what not to do, of how not to live. The natural will of all men is to be free, to be free to interact with whomever they want, think what they want, and say what they may. Your suppression of free thought and expression has largely kept your side of the world in the dark ages, and shown the rest of the world how important it is to educate and encourage individualism.
| An interesting perspective from one who knows well whereof he speaks. More at the link. |
-Andrew Kirkland, Sergeant, United States Marine Corps, October 2003 - October 2007 |