9/11, Six Years Later

“These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” —Thomas Paine

9/11, SIX YEARS LATER

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

September 07, 2007

I remember watching the Fox News Channel while I was getting dressed that morning in Sterling, VA getting ready to meet a deadline for the newspaper for which I worked. I remember the second tower being slammed into by terrorist hijackers, confounding and frightening a nation at large. I remember Lee Adler from my synagogue back home in Springfield, NJ. I remember my then future wife unable to reach family via telephone from her DC law office.

Thus the opening salvo to the current world war we are fighting. Unlike previous global conflicts, the United States is fighting an enemy of no national borders, no discernable uniform and no organized military forces – making this a more erratic war needing to be fought in an unconventional manner.

The United States is not in a declared war against Iraq. Iraq is, however, the current battlefield in this war on terror – a war that is being fought over civilization and freedom. Freedom to write this column, freedom to disagree with its content, freedom to worship as one wishes, freedom to not worship at all, freedom to send young girls to school, freedom to vote, or sadly, freedom to not vote.

With the under-the-radar-screen actions of Iran going unchallenged on the global stage, there is no doubt the next battlefield could be there. Being ever so vigilant is vital. Terrorists only need be accurate once, while troops and law enforcement need be accurate 100 percent of the time. The enemy is a patient one. They waited eight years to strike another blow at the World Trade Center from 1993 to 2001. As American citizens it is imperative to assist law enforcement as it ultimately benefits us all; and a demonstration of gratitude toward our brave men and women in the armed forces goes a long way.

While we cherish our freedom, it is certainly not free. Even our safety is not guaranteed. Sacrifice is necessary – be it on the battlefield by our troops or those of us at home who are simply asked to remove their shoes or headwear at an airport. We are fortunate to live in a country where it is not necessary to be surrounded by armed guards at our bus, train, metro and subway stations.

But also remember, for those who object to this war, for those who believe if the United States were not engaged in conflict in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan or any other place where our troops are stationed that our enemies would simply leave us alone, we did not have troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran or Saudi Arabia on September 11, 2001. Those who seek to destroy the United States, Israel, democracy, Western Civilization and freedom will stop at nothing to achieve their murderous and terrorist goals.

Lee Adler was among the nearly 3000 victims of foreign terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center. Who do you recall from that hellish day that did not make it home only to have their families repeat their own hellish nightmares six years later? Who do you remember that did not return home from the Pentagon or Flight 93 that crashed into a Pennsylvania field? Their deaths should not have been in vain. Their memories should be for inspiration.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer,  educator and political consultant living in Alexandria, VA.

GOP the Big Tent Party; Dems Disenfranchise Jewish Voters - Twice

GOP the Big Tent Party; Dems Disenfranchise Jewish Voters – Twice

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

May 20, 2007

Demonstrating that it truly is the Big Tent Party, the Alexandria Republican City Committee has set Tuesday, May 29 as the date certain for its party canvas to select its nominee to fill the vacancy on the City Council due to the resignation by Andrew Macdonald.

The ARCC understands the importance of including all Alexandria voters, and heeded the requests of its Jewish constituency by not scheduling its party canvas on the Sabbath – Saturday, unlike the Alexandria Democratic Committee. Tuesday has been a traditional day of voting for years, and although special elections are usually held on Saturdays by both major political parties, the Alexandria GOP has made the right decision.

As for the Alexandria Democrats, they obviously continue to take their Jewish constituency for granted by scheduling its caucus for Saturday, June 9 from noon until 10 p.m. With the Sabbath ending between 9:10 and 9:20 p.m., that gives Jewish voters roughly 40 to 50 minutes to arrive at the Democratic polling location and cast their vote.

This will actually be the second example of the Alexandria Democrats disenfranchising Jewish voters within eight days. The initial circumstance of Jewish voter disenfranchisement will occur on the previous Sabbath – Saturday, June 2. That is the date the City Council, a unanimous seven member Democratic body, has set for a public hearing regarding the Alexandria Election Process.

The Alexandria Election Process Review Committee is holding its only public hearing on a day that would exclude numerous voters – not just Jewish, but also Seventh Day Adventists, from having their voices heard on some vital issues.

Issues such as:

            (1)  Should council and school board elections be moved from May to                               November?

            (2)  Should terms of office grow from three to four years?

            (3)  Should council and school board terms be staggered?

            (4)  Should city council be elected by district, as the school board is                       elected?

            (5)  If districts, how should they be drawn?

            (6)  Should council elections be non-partisan?

            (7)  Should council and school board compensation be increased?

These are important issues and all Alexandria voters should have equal opportunity to participate in the process.

It’s high time that Jewish voters no longer be treated like second class citizens by the Alexandria Democrats and by the City Council – a seven to zero Democratic monopoly.

For those concerned, Bernard Caton is the contact person regarding the Saturday, June 2 public hearing. He can be reached at 703-838-3828 and Bernard.Caton@alexandria.gov.

To share ones ire with the Alexandria Democrats, contact its chairperson, Susan B. Kellom at SusanBKellom@aol.com.

Let’s not sit idly by. After all, what would Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) think?

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and teacher of American History living in Alexandria, VA.

My President Ford

My President Ford

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

December 27, 2006

I cast my first vote for president for Gerald R. Ford. Granted, I was a 10-year-old 4^th grader attending the Edward Walton Elementary School in Springfield, NJ at the time, but my first vote nonetheless. I even have the picture to prove it – there I am with a traditional conventioneer’s hat and shirt that said “vote,” as I cast my ballot – photographed for the Springfield Leader – a local newspaper not unlike one I worked for years later. (I guess I was a hat man even then.)

President Ford, nee Leslie Lynch King, Jr., an Omaha, NE native, had a calming presence in the White House presiding over a number of challenging issues – the end of Vietnam and restoring dignity to the presidency at the very pinnacle of his administration. I had to mention the president’s birth name as I learned this fact from my father, who unfortunately also passed away this year in August.

At a very young age, thanks to my parents, I learned the presidents forward and backward – even being carted out like a circus monkey at parties to demonstrate such precocious talents. (It was enough to drive anyone to drink.) Thus, began my love affair with all things political that continues to this day – which is also enough to make one reach for the bottle.

President Ford died on December 26, ironically on the anniversary of the death of President Harry S Truman (1972), also one of my favorite presidents. How is it, people have asked, that, having served fewer than 900 days, Gerald Ford could be one of my favorite presidents.

Gerald Ford was an every-man – rising up from humble beginnings, graduating from a state school – University of Michigan, playing football for the Wolverines and was even named team MVP his senior year. As a Yale law student, Mr. Ford worked as an assistant football coach to help pay his way.

After serving in the U. S. Navy during World War II, Mr. Ford returned to Michigan, won election to Congress in 1948 and 12 subsequent reelections from his western Michigan district. Congressman Ford rose to the rank of House Minority Leader prior to being tabbed as Vice President by President Richard M. Nixon upon the resignation of Spiro T. Agnew.

“Our long national nightmare is over,” said the newly sworn in President Ford regarding Watergate. President Ford humbly pushed forward with the daunting task of leading a nation that, for the most part, lacked trust in its leadership. President Ford had the wisdom and a sense of clarity to understand the necessity that his presidency required of him to restore dignity to the office he held and to bridge the chasm left in the wake of the Nixon resignation and the next national election.

President Ford had the courage to issue the pardon of his predecessor that sealed his own fate. This was an unnecessary pardon, yet one issued out of necessity as President Ford stood on the precipice of both past and future.

I do not believe the Ford pardon of Nixon was required as the 37^th president had not been convicted of anything. I also do not believe, as many do believe, that said pardon spoiled Mr. Ford’s chance of election in 1976. No, no, no – Gerald Ford was politically doomed on August 9, 1974 upon taking the oath of office making him the 38^th president of the United States.

Simply by being a Republican, President Ford’s days were numbered. Trailing by 30-plus points following the GOP convention in 1976 after a tumultuous primary campaign against Ronald Reagan, President Ford began the long march back that very nearly resulted in his defeating Jimmy Carter. But Carter won not because he was a better candidate; not because he was a better campaigner, but because he wasn’t a Republican.

The modern conservative movement should be thanking G-d for President Ford. Ronald Reagan could have been the GOP nominee in ’76, lost to Carter and fallen into political obscurity.

History will serve well the man who called his presidency what many understood it to be, “my stewardship,” said Ford during his January 12, 1977 State of the Union address, along with “our Constitution works,” and it is the “bedrock of our freedom.”

President Ford did, in fact, restore dignity to the American Presidency. How he would fare as a moderate in today’s Republican Party is not terribly discernable, but in that final address before the nation, President Ford called for “peace with honor.” “We can remain first in peace only if we are never second in defense.”

To paraphrase American Indian philosophy, Gerald Ford left the presidency better than he found it.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and political consultant living in Alexandria, VA.

[This column appeared in the Alexandria Times.]

Hunker Down With History Book

Hunker Down With History Book

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

July 20, 2006

Richard Cohen’s column “Hunker Down With History” should best have been entitled “Hunker Down With History Book,” as the left-leaning editorial writer demonstrated a serious lack of historical context and knowledge.

Suggesting Palestine was “first a colony of Turkey and later of Britain,” dismisses thousands of years of history. Jordan is Palestine. Palestine is Jordan. The land that is Israel, as bestowed by G-d upon Abraham and his descendants, has been the home of the Jewish people for several millennia – surviving attacks and invasions from the Roman Empire, the Greek Empire and others who are also extinct.

That the land of the Jewish people should be called Israel since its independence in 1948 does not diminish its place in history. To suggest that “Israel hunker down,” as Cohen so callously suggests, again demonstrates his lack of knowledge of the enemies of the Jewish state. And to call for such a hunkering contradicts his earlier statement that Hezbollah, “zealots are not amenable to reason.”

To hunker down is akin to suggesting that Israel wait it out or hide until the attacks are over. The attacks will never be over until Hezbollah and Israel’s other enemies achieve their ultimate goal – the destruction of Israel and the elimination of the Jewish people. These are the principles of Hezbollah, not as Cohen avers, “hatred of Israel.”

If anyone is unsure of the goals of Israel’s enemies, review the comments of Iran’s leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who not only is a Holocaust denier but has called for wiping Israel off the map. This is the same Iran currently funding Hezbollah.

Israel is in the right place geographically and on the right side of history – defending its right to simply exist. Richard Cohen is just wrong and should hunker down with a history book. Remember if Israel’s enemies lay down their arms, there can be peace. If Israel lays down its arms, there will be no more Israel.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Alexandria, VA.

Hitler Also Won an Election - How Did that Work Out?

Hitler Also Won an Election – How Did That Work Out?

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

January 27, 2006

The terrorist Hamas won an allegedly fair and legal election last Wednesday, January 25 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip – land that should never have been ceded to Palestinians in the first place. Make no mistake, the Palestinians have a homeland – it’s called Jordan. Like Iran, Hamas would rejoice over the destruction of the Jewish state. Even after the surrender of the Gaza Strip, terrorism continued.

The Bush administration is reconsidering Palestinian aid as it considers Hamas a terrorist organization. (Former President Jimmy Carter said that such aid should continue.) Even the morally bankrupt Europe calls Hamas a terrorist group. Israel correctly said that to negotiate with a Hamas government would be disingenuous as the virulent anti-Israel Hamas is hell-bent on the “wiping Israel off the map,” as Iran’s leader has repeatedly expressed.

An election does not legitimize a terror state – lest we learn a lesson from Germany. Hitler won election in 1933, gained recognition by governments the world over and he began his reign of terror by rounding up and deporting Jewish citizens. Even after calling for the Nuremberg Laws that expelled Jewish students from schools and Jewish professionals from their careers, Germany still received a free pass from the likes of the spineless British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain by granting the Nazi dictator appeasement in 1938 just one year prior to the advent of World War II.

Israel has a good friend in George W. Bush and an ally in the United States. "I don't see how you can be a partner in peace if you advocate the destruction of a country as part of your platform… and... if your party has got an armed wing. I made it very clear that the United States does not support political parties that want to destroy our ally, Israel," said President Bush last Thursday following the Hamas victory.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and political consultant living in Alexandria, VA.

San Fran Secedes From the Union

San Fran Secedes From the Union

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

November 11, 2005

To clarify, in case nobody noticed, on Election Day this past Tuesday, November 8, the City and County of San Francisco effectively voted to secede from the union.

Overstated? Hardly, as the voters decided to abandon the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution in their ban on guns. In one of the most liberal bastions in the western world, nearly 58 percent of the voters have decided that honest, law-abiding gun owners should now be labeled criminals. Handguns, hunting rifles, collectables, even guns on display in museums that are of usable quality have been deemed illegal by the People’s Republic of San Francisco. So have gun shops and shooting ranges.

Just to set the record straight, I am not a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA). I am not a gun owner, have never hunted nor do I live in San Francisco. But, I support the rights of those who do. The entire litany of my experience with firearms dates back to learning from a Marine friend the proper way to hold, carry, load and discharge a firearm. After weeks of lessons we took my newfound knowledge to the desert straddling west Texas and New Mexico to shoot at cans and bottles before cleaning up the refuse.

Globally, we are fighting a war on terror, yet in San Francisco, the people have surrendered to the criminal element by not allowing the law-abiding gun owners the Constitutionally-granted right to defend themselves, their families or their property that they worked hard to earn.

Passage of Proposition H, or should that be Preparation H because it is a real pain in the tuchus, will only hurt law-abiding gun owners. Criminals with guns are not about to surrender their illegally gained weapons. Instead, they will wield their weapons with greater bravado and confidence knowing that only police and those who require a gun for their jobs will have them. Home invasions, sadly, will rise. Robberies and street stick-ups will also increase as thugs and criminals instill greater fear in those lemmings who believe the surrender of guns and Constitutional rights are the answer.

Until Proposition H is reversed, gun owners, gun shop owners, firing range owners, NRA members and all those who support the Second Amendment should have their voices heard via an economic boycott of San Francisco. As beautiful as parts of San Francisco are, the city and county should be shunned. Vacation elsewhere. Hold conventions elsewhere. Send a message that you will not allow your rights to be trampled upon by one of the most extreme, radical elements of American society.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and political consultant living in Alexandria, VA.

Chabad Sukkah Closer to the Action

Chabad Sukkah Closer to the Action

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

November 1, 2005

With all of the positive publicity regarding the University of Maryland Hillel and its sukkah in parking Lot 1, the rest of the story remained untold.

Directly outside of Byrd Stadium, the home of Terrapin football, on the press box side of the stadium, stood the Chabad Sukkah Mobile run by students and members of the Chabad Jewish Student Center. Those entering the Sukkah Mobile pronounced a couple of holiday-appropriate brachot and enjoyed honey/pound cake and took home a colorful and informative calendar.

No solicitations for donations, no sermons, just the Reader’s Digest version of Sukkot in a tiny oasis amid the chaos of 54,000 Terrapin and Hokie fans jamming their way into Byrd Stadium – myself and two friends included. As a season ticket holder, member of the Alumni Association and Terrapin Club, I am not, however, a contributor to Hillel, for personal reasons.

I do plan to contribute to the Chabad at the University of Maryland and would encourage others to do so as well. This organization provides many needed services to students, but do not garner the publicity and ultimately the dollars of that of Hillel. Some of Chabad’s activities include, but are not limited to free Shabbat dinners, fairs, social events and holiday observances.

Bais Menachem Chabad Jewish Student Center is located at

7403 Hopkins Avenue, College Park, MD 20740

. The phone number is 301-277-2994 and the website is www.umdchabad.org.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and political consultant living in Alexandria, VA.

[This column appeared in the Washington Jewish Week.]