Dear Commons Community,

Former President George W. Bush spoke yesterday at the Flight 93 National Memorial, where one of many events was being held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Bush, who was president at the time of the attacks, spoke emotionally about the lessons of 9/11, the heroism of the people on board Flight 93 and the broader spirit of America.

“So much of our politics has become a naked appeal to anger, fear and resentment. That leaves us worried about our nation and our future together,” Bush said at one point. “I come without explanations or solutions. I can only tell you what I’ve seen.”

He continued: “On America’s day of trial and grief, I saw millions of people instinctively grab for a neighbor’s hand and rally to the cause of one another. That is the America I know. At a time when religious bigotry might have flowed freely, I saw Americans reject prejudice and embrace people of Muslim faith. That is the nation I know. At a time when nativism could have stirred hatred and violence against people perceived as outsiders, I saw Americans reaffirm their welcome to immigrants and refugees. That is the nation I know.”

Today, we need more of our government leaders to embrace his message and the nation “WE KNOW!”

Tony

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