The old saying that war is a racket has taken on an even more shameful meaning.

It's human nature to start taking things for granted again when danger isn't banging loudly on the door.

That's because international Islamic religious fanatics have the same goal as the Axis fascists - the destruction of our way of life.

Fighting terrorism is not unlike fighting a deadly cancer. It can't be treated just where it's visible - every diseased cell in the body must be destroyed.

Terrorism, too, must be excised wherever it exists, which will take years, and which can't happen without the total commitment and the everyday involvement of the American people.

Writing with you is the only thing that keeps me alive.

Because our homeland and very survival are once more at stake, the American people can't afford to treat this new war against terrorism like they did Vietnam.