It's going to be all right??? Now that stupid, hollow, WRONG "reassurance" makes me REALLY angry.

Newsday.com

Clinton reassures Americans following terrorist attacks

By DIANE SCARPONI Associated Press Writer

October 6, 2001, 5:47 PM EDT

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Former President Bill Clinton assured a crowd at Yale University Saturday that "it's going to be all right," following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and he urged Americans to undermine terrorist ideas by improving the lives of people in poor nations.

Clinton, speaking at the end of a yearlong celebration of Yale's 300th birthday, also said Americans need to stand together and trust leaders to make the right decisions.

He recalled trying to reassure a friend who feared for her children and wanted to know "Is it going to be all right?"

"First of all, it's going to be all right," Clinton told the crowd of 8,000 students, faculty and guests.

Though terrorism is an old method of attack, it has never succeeded militarily, he said, because the purpose is not to win a military victory, but to frighten people.

"Terrorism cannot prevail unless we cooperate," Clinton said. "We have to give the people who attacked us the permission to win, and I do not believe we are about to grant them that permission."

Still, Clinton said, the terrorists are formidable adversaries who have preached hatred of the United States in parts of the world where American culture and commerce clashes with tradition.

While the United States has fostered a global culture and economy, spreading technology, medical advances and democracy to the world, globalism has had its downside, he said.

He said environmental crises, the spread of diseases such as AIDS, poverty and ethnic and racial hatred are on the rise.

Globalism has broken down barriers and brought people together, but some parts of the world are chafing under the contact, he said.

"Terrorism reflects the dark side of our increasing interdependence. We cannot repeal human nature," Clinton said.

He said the mission of Yale and the United States in the future must be to encourage the positive forces of globalization.

The United States must work to reduce poverty around the world, provide debt relief and foster equitable trade, Clinton said.

He said the American health care system should work to stop the spread of AIDS and to end deaths from treatable diseases in poor countries.

Also, he said, the United States must take the lead on global warming and other environmental issues, and continue to foster democracy around the world.

In places where Islamic fundamentalism has taken hold, people are not allowed to speak freely or choose their leaders, he noted.

This undemocratic situation leaves people "permanently disempowered, and you can hear the siren's song 'It's all because of America,"' Clinton said.

Clinton graduated from Yale Law School in 1973 and met his wife, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, at Yale. He also befriended many professors and fellow students who became trusted advisers throughout his presidency.

The past three presidents of the United States have been Yale graduates. All three have spoken at Yale during its yearlong anniversary celebration, including President George W. Bush, who spoke at graduation.

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2001

Answers

yes. well. isn't that a comfort....

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2001

No, it's not.

Hi, Sam!

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2001

It's like telling a mugging victim that everything will be all right and they need to donate to worthy causes to aid those in unfortunate circumstances so it won't happen again.

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2001