Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource TomPaine.com Stories Description An account of the resource TomPaine.com -- a liberal advocacy organization -- distributed a public call on August 12, 2002 for 300 word "opinion advertisement" similar to those that the organization had been running regularly in the op-ed page of The New York Times. TomPaine.com received hundreds of submissions from the public, most of which the September 11 Digital Archive has preserved here. TomPaine Story TomPaine Story: Story "Toward A More Perfect Union", Twelve months is barely enough time to comprehend the lessons of 9/11 and its aftermath, but some instruction may be gained with determined scrutiny. I offer three primary considerations: the most obvious, the most difficult, and the most important. The most obvious lesson is the realization that not even the largest and costliest military power on earth could prevent a domestic terrorist attack. The natural corollary to this--that terrorism cannot be effectively dealt with by military means--has not been learned by our government; even though we see this truth demonstrated regularly in other parts of the world. The most difficult lesson is a dawning apprehension of global anti-American sentiment. We have until now believed ourselves benevolent, the champions of liberty. Yet how can this self-perception be reconciled with such hate-motivated attacks and the subsequent mass demonstrations in foreign cities? Are we failing in our responsibility to the world? There is painful understanding to be gained here, and we must summon the will and the courage to approach it. The most important lesson is a recognition of democracy as a precious and fragile living thing--easily uprooted by ignorance or fear, constantly in danger of being trampled under by greed and ambition, especially vulnerable in the wake of enemy attack and the presence of external or internal threat. Like any living thing it will wither or atrophy through neglect, and if subjected to enough abuse may cease to exist altogether. It cannot be taken for granted. To thrive, democracy must be taught and practiced, celebrated and debated, and defended, if necessary, from our leaders. We offer a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives in the attacks of September 11 by learning this last lesson and ensuring that democracy did not perish with them. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource tp60.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-02-28