No doubt the situation

with anthrax is serious, but it has been blown way out of proportion.

The terrorists knew what they were doing when they sent it to the news

media. They knew they would exaggerate the story much like they did with

Gary Condit and the shark attacks this past summer. They often jump from

one "crisis" to another to increase ratings.

Personally, I believe

we need to "get a grip" and just settle down. We need to stand

up and show a little courage. Our sons and daughters bravely volunteer

to go to war and fight for the freedoms we enjoy. Why can't we show some

bravery and face the fear that is seeking to consume us?

Maybe you cannot volunteer

for military service, but you can help to defeat terrorism by standing

up to the fear, by going on with your life, and not becoming obsessed

with the threats. We must be strong and vigilant. We must stand together

as one nation under God. We must support our president and elected officials.

We must not let petty differences divide us. There is an enemy to fight

and it is not our fellow American.

Over the next several

months, we will see the character of Americans. Either we will bind together,

and become stronger, or we will be cowards and unravel under the pressure.

Which will it be?

Now is the time for

all Americans to stand up and face these fears with courage and resolve.

But, before we can stand, we must first kneel before our Creator and acknowledge

that He is the One who governs the affairs of men.

It was June 28, 1787,

and the Constitutional Convention was deadlocked on several key issues

of state and federal rights when Benjamin Franklin, the convention's most

honored member, rose and reminded them of the Continental Congress in

1776 that shaped the Declaration of Independence. This is what he said:

"In the days

of our contest with Great Britain when we were sensible of danger, we

had daily prayer in this room for divine protection. Our prayers, sir,

were heard, and they were graciously answered.

"All of us who

were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of

superintending Providence in our favor. To that kind Providence we owe

this happy opportunity to establish our nation.

And have we now forgotten

that powerful friend? Do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance?

I have lived, sir,

a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of

this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot

fall to the ground without his notice, it is probable that a new Nation

cannot rise without his aid.

We have been assured,

sir, in the sacred writings that except the Lord build the house, they

labor in vain that built it. I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth

prayers imploring the assistance of heaven and its blessings on our deliberations

be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to any business."

God bless America.

Keith Turner

Fayetteville

[email protected]