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Five Years Later

This column was written by CBS News Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.


You remember where you were. We all do.

I remember the disbelief, the shock, the sorrow, the wound that was the pile of rubble at ground zero. The smoldering ruin, covered with firemen, rescue workers, sniffer dogs, steel workers.

Remember the conversations from that week?

Friends of ours said they would leave New York City. They didn't.

"Let's get the bad guys." "American forces chased al Qaeda through the wilderness." "Osama's still at large." "Let's fund Homeland Security."

There's plenty of money for hazmat units in the hinterlands, but the biggest targets get shortchanged.

Protect airline passengers. We can't put toothpaste in our carry-ons, but the cargo under our seats still doesn't get inspected.

The war on terror. What is it exactly? I've lost track.

Remember the feelings of unity? Remember our resolve? We all stood together. Now we're apart.



Harry's daily commentary can be heard on manyCBS Radio News affiliates across the country.
By Harry Smith
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