Lynn C. Woolsey: “almost 3 years ago, on September 11, the United States faced the most deadly terrorist attack in our history. Thousands…”

“almost 3 years ago, on September 11, the United States faced the most deadly terrorist attack in our history. Thousands of people died on that painful day, a day which we will never forget as long as we live. After September 11, our Nation faced a great challenge, the likes of which have not confronted us since the dawn of World War II. Americans had a choice, either rise up and directly challenge terrorism at its very heart, or pass the buck and leave the problem to someone else. In the months that followed September 11, American leaders chose the right path. Democrats and Republicans worked together to provide supplemental funds for New York City, for Washington, DC, and for the unfortunate Americans who tragically lost loved ones that day. We also confronted a regime in Afghanistan that harbored many of those who helped plan the attacks. But we have been thrown off our path in the last 2 years. We did not stay the course in Afghanistan, where a sturdy commitment to peacekeeping would have done a great amount of good. Instead, the Bush administration shifted focus, taking pains to link al Qaeda with Saddam Hussein and with Iraq. This flawed shift in strategy culminated 1 year ago when the President of the United States, without just cause and without being provoked, made the decision to invade Iraq.”