Like the wind, we sweep across the four corners of the globe, African, Caucasian, Hispanic and Asian. We chatter in different languages, and worship different religions. We have a common goal; we are in search of a place to call home. This is a special place where dreams can come true; where every person has the opportunity to pursue their dreams. We call ourselves AMERICANS. We are bound by the hardships forged by our ancestors and ourselves to build a home where freedom isn't just an idea; it is a reality. Among all of the citizens of the world, Americans are unique. We are not one people by birth, but we are one by choice. We chose to be Americans.

Others fault us for our blindness. Why can't we see that their people are superior to that of their enemies? It is plainly clear that god is on their side and they cannot rest until everyone sees the world through their eyes, and so they feel that they must punish us. Those that strike at us are cowards, hiding behind a veil of anonymity. They refuse to accept responsibility for their actions. They run and hide, and when finally caught, they hide behind the very Constitution that they so readily despise.

Americans work very hard at being blind. We try not to see the differences that would divide us, but instead we relish in the similarities that bind us. We can look beyond the color of one's skin and see the heart of an American beating within. Many times, we forget what it is that makes us special, and only after a disaster do we look within ourselves to find that pride.

The president has declared war on global terrorism. We stand on the precipice of that war. I like all other Americans feel the outrage and the anger. I want justice, not vengeance. We shouldn't lower ourselves to levels of our enemies for all we will do is create martyrs in our wake. We need to fight smarter, not dirtier. America isn't only a military power; we are the number one economic power in the world. We should use our economic prowess to take away the number one tool of the terrorist, his wealth. Without resources, how long will his army of followers stay? As their bodyguards go unpaid, how long before they are left defenseless? Take their money, and use it to rebuild that which they have tried to destroy. If foreign banks refuse to cooperate, America and her allies should refuse to deal with those banks until they turn over the assets of the known terrorist. And if the terrorist feels that they have been unjustly treated, let them appear before an American court to recover his assets. Wouldn't that be a turn around, we wouldn't have to go after them, they might just come to us.

I am an American. Let's make the world proud of us...