The sleeping Dragon Awakens

by Richard Lowe

On December 7, 1941, a different time and a different world in many ways, one country thought it could take a punch at a sleeping dragon. That country learned after five long years of the bloodiest war yet known to humanity that it is wise to let sleeping dragons snore. During that war, several counties learned the unmatched power of the United States is a terrible thing to behold when it is fully awake, conscious and it's snout pointed directly at you. 

After the war the dragon went back to it's normal peaceful, sleepy self. Even the heights of the cold war, the Korean war and the Vietnam wars, terrible as they were, could not awaken the fierce beast. 

Much of the world has discovered, much to their surprise and delight, how happy and friendly this dragon really is when it is simply left alone. The dragon quickly rebuilt it's worst enemies after World War II, leaving them strong and safe and completely transformed. Don't get me wrong, the dragon is by no means a saint, but it basically has a good heart and a kind soul.

On September 11, 2001 someone, as yet unidentified, did the unthinkable. He (or she) woke up the dragon.

This message is for the group of scum who planned and performed this act. It is not aimed at anyone else.

You had better pray to whatever gods you believe in now, because your god, whatever his or her name, will not protect you from the wrath of the dragon.

You thought you were smart - you are stupider than the dirt under our feet.

You think you are tough, whacking the dragon across the nose. You will soon learn what tough really means.

You wanted to show us how much you hate us - the world will soon learn how the dragon deals with creatures such as you.

You wanted to terrify us? You have only succeeded in enraging us.

You wanted to tear us apart? You have only succeeded in uniting us.

You wanted to show the world how weak we are? You will only succeed in demonstrating how the dragon tears your bones from your limbs.

And now this message goes out to the rest of the planet. This is for all countries everywhere.

The United States is at war. Countries of the world, it is time to stand up and be counted. Do you agree with evil, senseless slaughter of innocent civilians? Is your country evil? Or do you want the world to be a sane and good place for all peoples to live?

Those countries who stand with the United States against evil will survive. Make absolutely no mistake about it - those countries who do not stand with us, who do not help us find and utterly destroy these enemies, are themselves our enemies. And the dragon shows no mercy towards it's enemies.

And now a final message for the group who did this terrible deed.  The dragon is licking it's wound now, but do not doubt that it's attention will turn towards finding and destroying you soon. We will hunt you from the sky, from the oceans, from the land, and from the very air itself.

So pray now. You are as good as dead.