Editorial

Sept. 11 has come and gone. Did you remember how significant that date is?

That was the seventh anniversary of the massive terrorist attack on the United States. Whether we like to admit it or not, that attack changed all of our lives.

Since 9-11, there have been some buildings that it's harder to get into than others. And once inside, movement is restricted. There was a time, late in the 20th century, when one could just walk into a municipal office building and go just about anywhere without anyone batting an eye. Try doing that today in the local municipal offices. You won't get very far.

Is there anyone among us, old enough to comprehend and appreciate what went on that will ever be able to forget the horror of that terrible day. It might be easy to dismiss one aircraft crashing into the World Trade Centre as an accident. Two had to be deliberate.

It might also have been easy to dismiss this whole thing as just an American problem. The United States was, after all, the target. But 24 Canadians lost their lives that day, and it was the hand of fate that decreed that number. How many of you reading this ever toured the World Trade Centre, or the Pentagon? If you haven't, how many of you have thought of some day doing that? What, apart from scheduling issues, would have ruled out Sept. 11, 2001? The fact that foreign nationals might have been in those buildings probably never occurred to the terrorists, and if it did, it didn't interfere with their plans to any great extent.

That was the day that what has become known as the war on terror began. Again, it could be argued that it was an American invention, but it must be clear to all that this war involves every country on earth. That means every country has an obligation to carry its load in this fight. Not surprisingly, some countries seem to be carrying a greater load than others. But is that not the way life usually goes, with some bearing the bulk of the burdens, while others are just along for the ride?

We do not believe that it could be argued for a moment that Canada has not stepped up and done its share in this struggle. The bulk of our involvement has been in Afghanistan, and 97 Canadian service personnel have fallen in the course of that operation.

Yet there are those who would argue that Canadians should not be involved in Afghanistan. True, 97 Canadian deaths in that faroff land is 97 too many, but it is also true that we must carry out our obligations, as a member of the world community.

Yes, it would be nice if other governments and countries were prepared to take on a greater role in this fight. No one should like the idea of Canada being expected to pull more than our fair share of the weight. But considering what happened seven years ago, it is certainly a job that needs doing.