Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

Osama bin Laden:

In conclusion, I tell you in truth, that your security is not in the hands of Kerry, nor Bush, nor al-Qaida. No.

Your security is in your own hands. And every state that doesn't play with our security has automatically guaranteed its own security.

Yes, it's true. America's security is in the hands of its citizens. And yesterday those citizens resoundingly declared: We choose security through strength and perseverance, not cowardice and shame. Today, I have never been prouder of my fellow citizens. During a war with a shadowy enemy, who seeks to strike the weak and intimidate the bold, we turned out in record numbers to choose those who will govern us. Regardless of the individual choices we made, we declared to bin Laden, al-Qaeda, and the world that we will not retreat at the hint of danger. This election was a victory for all Americans, and for democracy at home and abroad. We are truly the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Francis Scott Key, The Star-Spangled Banner

Captain Ed has some related thoughts.