On September 11, 2001, you shook American when you took 2,996 lives, but we survived, rebuilt and became stronger.

On April 15, 2013, you murdered five individuals and injured 280, but rallies were held proclaiming “Boston Strong,” and the yearly event continues.

In the short run, your attacks have succeeded in killing or injuring thousands of innocent men, women and children around the world in the name of a religious or social ideology which fosters the distorted belief that the best way to persuade is to terrorize.

In the long run, your violent acts have only unified a rational and humane society to stand-up and demonstrate for a way of life that continues.

Why?

Because there is no ideology stronger than an open society, and no idea greater than freedom of expression and religion.

In the long run, you will lose, because liberty is greater than oppression, and free speech is stronger than muzzled silence.

You will lose, because the antidote to fear is courage and many millions around the world demonstrate more valor than you have bullets.

You will lose, because the majority of world citizens choose the warm courage of unity where we come to the table respecting others points of view, even if we disagree with those views.

You will lose because fear and hate will always be defeated by the larger principles of mutual respect and responsibility; because knowledge is always preferable to ignorance, and hatred is poisonous to the soul.

You will lose because we choose tolerance over fanaticism, and terror and unreason are ultimately self-destructive.

You will lose because you are not strong enough to embrace the ideals of unity, respect, and compassion.