Remember

I cried the first time I saw this picture. It seemed so futile and yet so hopeful at the same time. You can find this picture and more like it here.

GQ published a terrific interview (9 pages to click through) with Colin Powell conducted by Walter Isaacson. While the interview covers many topics, this snippet seemed appropriate for this day of remembrance.

What is the greatest threat facing us now? People will say it’s terrorism. But are there any terrorists in the world who can change the American way of life or our political system? No. Can they knock down a building? Yes. Can they kill somebody? Yes. But can they change us? No. Only we can change ourselves. So what is the great threat we are facing?

I would approach this differently, in almost Marshall-like terms. What are the great opportunities out there—ones that we can take advantage of? It should not be just about creating alliances to deal with a guy in a cave in Pakistan. It should be about how do we create institutions that keep the world moving down a path of wealth creation, of increasing respect for human rights, creating democratic institutions, and increasing the efficiency and power of market economies? This is perhaps the most effective way to go after terrorists.

Be safe today and every day.