If you want to humble an empire it makes sense to maim its cathedrals. They are symbols of its faith, and when they crumple and burn, it tells us we are not so powerful and we can't be safe. The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, planted at the base of Manhattan island with the Statue of Liberty as their sentry, and the Pentagon, a squat, concrete fort on the banks of the Potomac, are the sanctuaries of money and power that our enemies may imagine define us. But that assumes our faith rests on what we can buy and build, and that has never been America's true God.

Summary

This quote highlights the significance of attacking symbolic structures as a means to humble an empire. The mention of cathedrals as symbols of faith suggests that when these grand structures collapse, it is a reminder of the empire's vulnerability and inability to ensure safety. The quote then references the Twin Towers, Statue of Liberty, and the Pentagon as sanctuaries of wealth and power, suggesting that these physical manifestations do not define America's true essence, which lies beyond material wealth and construction. Ultimately, the quote challenges the perception that power and faith can solely be measured by tangible possessions.

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