This letter was sent to the Richmond Times-Dispatch after the terrorist attack on America on September 11. It was not printed.

September 17, 2001

Richmond Times-Dispatch
P.O. Box 85333
Richmond, VA 23293
Attn: Editor of Editorial Page

Dear Sirs,

I trust this missive finds you well. I am writing to voice my opinion on matters of recent national concern.

Since the mindless and cowardly killings of so many Americans last week I, like many of my contemporaries, have been gleaning news from as many sources as possible. I have many of the same questions as others to which I wish to have answers. However, I must point out something that has struck me about many of my fellow citizens and in particular many politicians.

We hear a great deal of talk now about our freedoms and liberties. How we must not allow someone to create the fear that they sought by causing us to give up many of our freedoms in the name of safety. Why is this important only after some people of swarthy complexion from another country kill and maim some of our fellow Americans? I treasure my freedoms everyday, even before the bombings took place.

Many of the same politicians who now state that we must not allow the enemy to win by allowing our freedoms to be eroded are the same people who before this incident were doing everything they could to, themselves, erode those very freedoms. Many of the same citizens who before were quite content to do whatever the "government" told them are now crying to maintain our liberties. Why is the erosion of our freedom tolerable when it comes from the domestic front, but abhorrent when caused by an outside enemy?

Confiscatory taxes, attacks on the 2nd amendment, government controlled healthcare, the "incumbent protection act", just to name a few. I fully realize that this view may not be very popular right now, when we are supposed to all be cooperating in the cause of freedom. However, I feel compelled to point out that freedoms are not destroyed only by enemies from abroad. We must remain ever vigilant against any who would strip our freedom away under any guise. Even those who look just like us.

God Bless America!

Sincerely,

Floyd C. Bayne