WHOSE ELECTION IS THIS, ANYWAY?

“American elections and Iraq are linked together,” resistance leader Abu Jalal told an Iraqi reporter. He said, “We’ve got to work to change the election, and we’ve done so. With our strikes, we’ve dragged Bush into the mud.”

Abu Jalal went on to say, “They say there are 1,100 dead soldiers. That means 1,100 families hold grudges against Bush and hate him. There are 6,000 families whose sons were injured who hate Bush and will not re-elect him.”

Mohammed Amin Bashar, a leader of a hard-line clerical group that supports the Iraqi resistance, said, “If the U.S. Army suffered numerous humiliating losses [Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John] Kerry would emerge a superman of the American people.”

The British left-wing newspaper, the Guardian, recently encouraged their readers to write to voters in Clark County, Ohio, and to encourage the voters to exercise their vote “to the common good.” An eminent British scientist, Richard Dawkins, did just that. He wrote and asked them not to vote for President Bush by saying, “Don’t be ashamed of your president: the majority of you didn’t vote for him. If Bush is finally elected properly, that will be the time for Americans traveling abroad to simulate a Canadian accent. Please don’t let it come to that. Vote against Bin Laden’s dream candidate. Vote to send Bush packing.”

In March 2004, terrorists killed 191 people in Spain in an effort to change the outcome of the national elections. The Spanish were threatened because they were supporting the Multinational Coalition in Iraq. The people “caved” to the terrorists and voted against the incumbent because they were promised no further attacks would take place if they ousted the current leadership and pulled their troops from Iraq. The new government complied because the Spanish believed the promises of terrorists. Yet, only two weeks ago, seven suspected Islamic militants who were planning a bomb attack on Spain’s High Court were arrested.

In the U.S. this past week, only days away from our presidential election, ABC News acquired a tape, reportedly from al Qaeda, with threats of violence on our country, in an obvious attempt to influence our elections.

Identified on the tape is “Azzam the American.” He said, “No, my fellow countrymen you are guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty. You are as guilty as Bush and Cheney. You’re as guilty as Rumsfeld and Ashcroft and Powell. After decades of American tyranny and oppression, now it’s your turn to die.” He continued, “People of America, I remind you of the weighty words of our leaders, Osama bin Laden and Dr. Ayman al-Zawahri, that what took place on Sept. 11 was but the opening salvo of the global war on America. And that Allah willing, the magnitude and ferocity of what is coming your way will make you forget all about Sept. 11.

Then, four days prior to the election, Osama bin Laden reappears and speaks to the American people. He attempts to explain why we were attacked on 9/11, and lets us know that we should expect more of the same. Bin Laden said, “Your security is not in the hands of Kerry or Bush or Al Qaeda. Your security is in your hands.” He continued, “Each state that doesn’t mess with our security has automatically secured their security.”

There are many things that can influence the outcome of an election. But, before American’s cast their vote for President of the United States based on terrorist threats, or on the advice of people of other countries, we must remember the sacrifices that have been made to ensure our freedom to choose our leaders.

The United States of America gained its independence more than 225 years ago. We have fought wars to keep that independence and we have fought wars to help bring independence to other countries. Independence means self-government, and that means the choice for President of the United States is to be made by Americans.

The people of the United States should stand tall and proud about what has been accomplished by the current Administration in the past four years. After the disaster of 9/11, President Bush sought to bring those responsible to justice. He warned nations that by aiding and abetting terrorists, they were just as guilty. And, he has not backed down.

Much good has come since that fateful day. Afghanistan has held free elections. Saddam’s dictatorship has been toppled and the Iraqis are looking forward to elections in January 2005. The American military is proud of its accomplishments, in spite of the losses and setbacks, and believe that the fight against terrorism is worth the cost.

President Bush made the terrorists a promise as he stood on the rubble at Ground Zero, “"I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!" And he kept that promise.

The only right thing to do on November 2, is let him finish the work that he started. This is your election. Don’t let anyone take that away from you.