"America decided we were going to stand by and let Americans die at the hands of terrorists a long time ago"

This quote by Tommy Franks is describing the United States' decision to intervene in the War on Terror. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States declared war on terrorism and began to take action versus terrorist organizations and their fans. This quote is suggesting that the United States had actually currently made the decision to act versus terrorism before the attacks of 9/11, and that the attacks were just the catalyst for the United States to act. This quote is likewise suggesting that the United States wanted to let Americans pass away at the hands of terrorists if it indicated that the United States could take action versus terrorism. This quote is a tip of the importance of the United States' decision to intervene in the War on Terror and the consequences of not doing something about it.