Utah's political leaders firmly support President Bush's launch of military action in Afghanistan, calling it a necessary mission against evil. They also predict a long struggle but urge Utahns not to fear possible counterstrikes at home.
They called press conferences and issued press releases to show they stand with Bush and the military. Following are some of their reactions:
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah: "I join all Utahns in standing 100 percent behind our president in this necessary mission against evil."
Hatch said it's important to realize that the military action will have consequences. "Some of them may be very difficult for us as a nation. But as one great leader has noted, the consequences of doing nothing are far, far worse."
The senator said the battle against terrorism may go on for many months. "This is the first step in a long journey that the president has charted to combat the evildoers whose mission is to cast a shadow of fear over the daily lives of Americans."
Hatch also recognized Great Britain for being a leading ally and Prime Minister Tony Blair for being with "us side by side in fighting against this terrible evil."
Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah: "It's very clear that this is the first step of what will be a long, drawn-out process," Bennett said. "It will be fought at a diplomatic level and financial level, as well as a military level.
"I'm delighted it (the attack) was followed up with a food drop. The Taliban uses food as a weapon."
Bennett said the attack on the United States was probably inevitable, but our response now "lessens the magnitude" of what the terrorists are able to do.
"I believe the attack on the World Trade Center was a pivotal moment. . . . It was the moment we became aware . . . It will be a fight over values." He added, "Americans have to be ready for a long fight."
Gov. Mike Leavitt: He urged Utahns to watch, prepare and pray.
Utah has been in a state of "heightened alert" since Sept. 11. Last Thursday, Leavitt announced additional steps to protect the state's people and resources. There is no need for further preparation at this point, he said in a news conference outside the Governor's Mansion Sunday afternoon, even though the air attacks on Afghanistan could well result in reprisals.
"People who live in a nation born in liberty can't faint with fear. We'll buckle up our seat belts and go forward with confidence. It's very clear that we're now living in a different environment, but we'll go about our business and trust in our leaders."
He said there is no reason to believe that Utah would be specifically targeted at this time for reprisals. And the 2002 Winter Olympics will go forward, even though war, which has seemed somewhat tenuous, has taken on a new reality. "We want to show the Olympics as a symbol of the things we value most. We will proceed."
Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah: "We've been in a full-fledged war since Sept. 11," Cannon said about Sunday's bombings in Afghanistan.
But he said this war "will be more like the Cold War than World War II."
"This is not a time to be fearful," he said, adding that he has not sought more security since the terrorist attacks. "I'm not changing my life."
Cannon said the 2002 Winter Olympics will go on but with much more security and scrutiny than previously planned.
"No Coke can is going to come into the Games without being inspected, and that's going to cost a lot more," he said.
Cannon also praised the administration for providing food to Afghans, who have "been starved into submission by the Taliban." He said, "In the end, humanitarian aid may be more important in the long run than bombs."
Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Utah: "This is the beginning of methodically chipping away at the Taliban," Hansen said. "This will be like a well-played-out chess game or football game. Our leaders have thought out well what they are doing. But it will require some patience."
Hansen expressed high confidence in national leaders. "They are a group of seasoned veterans" who directed the Persian Gulf War — such as Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Colin Powell, he said. "I can't imagine having a better national security team."
Hansen praised them for building a strong international coalition against terrorism and for taking some unusual steps such as dropping food in Afghanistan. "I really do like the idea of dropping food and medicine. The Taliban has used food as a weapon against its own people. This helps take that away."
Hansen also predicted a long struggle.
Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah: "It's important that this country responds to terrorism, and I think we're all united behind the president and his efforts," Matheson said Monday.
The congressman said Utahns should not be overly fearful of retaliatory strikes by terrorists.
"I don't think we should be unduly concerned," he said. "I think we should all be on guard, but I think there are a lot of security measures in place in this country. It's important to go on with our daily lives."