Eight years ago, we were a nation divided.  Bush served in the Oval Office and eight months after being sworn in, some Americans still resented his appointment to the presidency by the Supreme Court as they believed democracy had not been allowed to run its full course.

On September 11, 2001, President Bush read to second graders at Emma E. Booker Elementary, which appeared as an opportunity to push his own education agenda.  Some educators resented his visit to this Sarasota school, but most Florida schools tuned in to the televised event and watched with respect.

Story time ended abruptly when White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card informed President Bush that a second plane had flown into the WTC.

Over the next few days, a nation divided became one again through a tragedy.  We put aside our hate and bi-partisan politics as we watched the dust and rubble clear away and prayed for the families affected by the horrific events.

Eight years later, we’ve become a nation divided split by party lines once again, a divided nation full of hate on both sides of the aisle.  Eight years later, we are a nation crumbling from within. 

Today, as we remember the most terrifying events on American soil, let us also remember how we put aside our hate of a president and our fellow Americans and together found patriotism and unity through it all.

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” – Abraham Lincoln

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