The Real Lessons of 9/11
As we mark the six anniversary of the 9/11 attack, it is time for Americans to face the real lessons of that horrible morning. Until we dispel the myths which the Bush administration and a compliant media have been feeding us, we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes and suffer similar consequences.
Lesson 1: They Do Not Hate Us Because 'We are Free.'
For decades the U.S Government has committed horrible acts around the world, often in secret but always in the name of the American people. In every region on earth, our government has overthrown or undermined democracies, aided brutal dictatorships, and funded guerrilla wars under the guise of fighting for freedom. Until the American people grapple with this fact, our government will continue to engage in activities that destabilize the world community and bring pain and suffering to millions, including our own citizens.
Lesson 2: Anyone Could Have Imagined the 9/11 Attack
Our government failed to protect us on 9/11 not because such an attack was unimaginable but because bureaucratic turf wars and incompetence at the highest levels impeded our counter-terrorist efforts. The CIA tracked one of the hijackers into the United States but refused to pass that fact along to the FBI. FBI field agents repeatedly warned their bosses about suspected terrorists taking flight lessons but no investigation followed. The president was explicitly warned about an impending attack with airplanes but did nothing. Why not? We still don't know. The 9/11 Commission was a whitewash designed to protect the reputations of incompetent, bloated bureaucracies and a distracted White House.
Lesson 3: Our Leaders Displayed Cowardice in the Face of Terror
After the attacks, our local and national leaders refused to question the administration's contention that the air at ground zero was safe. Why was no alarm sounded by all the politicians who visited ground zero and smelled the foul, poisonous fumes? Leaders in both parties also surrendered our constitutional liberties and protections because they feared being called unpatriotic. They allowed Bush to ignore the Geneva Accords and engage in torture and extraordinary rendition. They allotted Homeland Security funds based on politics, not genuine threat assessments. And some politicians now seem unbothered by our failure to kill Bin Laden. Let's be clear, Bin Laden is not just a symbol -- his hands drip with the blood of thousands of Americans who must be avenged. When our leaders abandoned their responsibility to protect our lives and our ideals, they gave a great victory to the terrorists. Nothing could be more cowardly.
Lesson 4: The World is Not Divided between Good vs. Evil.
We should never negotiate with terrorists and we must hunt down Bin Laden and anyone else who attacks us. But we should not arbitrarily label governments 'evil' or 'terrorist regimes' and then wage covert or overt war against them. Look at the effects of Bush's belligerence toward the so-called Axis of Evil. In Iraq, we could have avoided 3700 American dead and the deaths of tens of thousands of innocents if we respected international law and allowed the UN weapons inspections to continue. By spurning direct talks with North Korea and threatening them, Bush forced Kim Jong-ill to create and test a plutonium bomb. Fortunately South Korea took a conciliatory diplomatic approach that now promises a peaceful resolution. We need to once again work with Iran on issues of mutual concern (Iraq, arms proliferation, and regional peace). Opening diplomatic negotiation with Iran is not naïve, shameful or irresponsible. In fact the tough talk we hear from Bush, Cheney and many presidential candidates simply feeds influence of Iranian extremists. The United States must stop all covert activities against Iran and begin good faith negotiations that will secure a lasting peace.
Long before 9/11, Iran fought a war against the Taliban and Wahabi terrorist networks like Al-Qaeda. The Iranians funded the Northern Alliance and in the fall of 2001 they provided the U.S. with key intelligence about Afghanistan. However, Bush and the neocons ignored the advice of the State Dept. and the CIA and spurned further cooperation. Once Bush dropped the 'Axis of Evil' line in January 2002, there was no turning back. We missed a great opportunity to learn from the Iranians and to build ties between our intelligence communities that might have helped us find Bin Laden.
Lesson 5: We Must Fight Them Over There Before They Attack Us Over Here.
Invading Iraq was a terrible mistake and now we are trying the fix the mistake with more violence. The surge is not working despite what General Petraeus says. In the last year the civilian death toll has risen along with the number of refugees. Our occupation of Iraq has fed anti-American resentment worldwide. We need to admit we made a terrible mistake, begin a troop withdrawal immediately and work with regional powers, including Iran, to stabilize the country and the region. Once we stabilize Iraq, we need to settle the Palestinian issue once and for all. The cycle of violence will not be broken with more violence. We will live in peace only after fair-handed, good-faith negotiation.
Lesson 6: We Need a Real 9/11 Investigation
This September 11th I am going to give a speech at the UN calling for a new, truly independent 9//11 Commission. This commission would investigate unanswered questions including the historical causes of the attack and the manifold failures of our government before and after the event. Unlike the first investigation, this commission should be granted subpoena power and full access to all governmental files and personnel. George Bush should be forced to testify ALONE.
I do not believe 9/11 was a governmental conspiracy. But I know that our government was partly at fault by engaging in polices that inspired it, failing to take aggressive steps to stop it, and sacrificing the liberty and safety of our citizens after it. It's time we find out why and do something about it.
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Thank you, Mike. Your voice needs to be heard.
The more I hear you speak the more I believe you are the only choice to save this country from the politicians and give it back to the people.
Important lessons, indeed.
Great post, especially how you don't just identify terrorists as the Other and recognize this country's part in so much horror. What happened on September 11th was a tragedy, but we have to stop using as a mask and excuse for other actions.
I think most of what you're saying is right on. I do have a question though. What is with the title of Lesson 5: "We Must Fight Them Over There Before They Attack Us Over Here". Are you saying that's true or false? Because the actual content of the paragraph seemed like you were saying you don't agree with that, but the headline made it look like you do.
Thanks.
Wait, sir, rethink! You tell us in lesson #3 that "[Bin Laden's] hands drip with the blood of thousands of Americans who must be avenged," yet in lesson #6 you say "Invading Iraq was a terrible mistake and now we are trying the fix the mistake with more violence."
It's clear that you're saying the dead Americans must be avenged by killing Bin Laden, even while you acknowledge that violence does not repair. Violence begets violence. Why not beget justice with justice? Yes, YES, call for a new investigation. But don't kill the witnesses first.
In lesson #1 you point out the many hidden ways America has been responsible for horrible injustices the world over. We don't know what happened on 9/11, but we're learning that the world over has cause to seek vengeance from us. Do you want us to be like the Middle East, where the vengeances go on so long they can never be sorted out and come right? Vengeance upon vengeance, endless anger and shame. I am sick of it. We might once have had the high road, but now I can't tell the difference between us and terrorists. Killing Bin Laden will not repair us.
Bin Laden is as much an idea as a man. He has followers. Killing the man won't kill the idea. To the contrary. Remember Jesus?
You're so right on so many things. Please think a little more on this one.
My girlfriend is from the Phillipines. To her, American meddling in another country is a fact of life, not another conspiracy theory.
Americans need to wake up. We have selectively applied our ideals for the benefit of the rich and well-connected for nearly a century. And now it's threatening to suck the life-blood out of our middle class and set us back 100 years.
Why does nobody talk about class warfare any more? It's going on all the time, just behind the scenes. Remember, the upper class owns the media thanks to deregulation, and controls their food supply -- advertising. The loss of small independent radio, newspaper, and television operators is a direct threat to our democracy because the only way to keep the media honest is to make it harder to bribe, and that requires lots of independent voices.
Lend your support to Mike Gravel! He's not selling out to corporate interests, but don't let anyone tell you that puts him out of the running.
Go to http://www
Right now Mike Gravel is focused on securing federal matching funds for the campaign, which will bring in as much as $200,000. He only needs a little bit more help from us in a few states to make that a reality. Look how close he is to reaching that goal:
ARIZONA: $984
COLORADO: $1,169
CONNECTICUT: $868
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA $1,034
MARYLAND: $1,109
NEW HAMPSHIRE: $730 (very close NH!)
OHIO: $794 (close Ohio!)
WISCONSIN: $1,257
Chump change. If you live in these states, or know someone who does, get the word out and we can make a push to get a good man in the White House. If you have a campaign dollar to spend, it should go to this man.
You've read his views, you've heard him debate, you know his record, and you know if enough people hear what he has to say, this campaign will take on a life of it's own. He can win if we get the word out!
Don't throw your support behind someone you don't really believe in just to get a meaningless "D" next to the name of the president. Mike your support count with a candidate who will fight for real change!
Rather than label leaders and countries as "evil" as our current administration has done, listening to a commission that has studied "the historical causes of the attack" should help all of us understand 9/11. This is one of Mike's best articles and, in my opinion, should have been on the front page. I'd like to hear more about Mike's presentation to the U.N.
Eloquently written, sir, with you customary insight, wisdom and real concern for the good of humankind.
Well done, you continue to have my full support. Another donation will be on its way this weekend.
Mike! Mike! Mike! Mike! Mike Gravel for '08.
"Stop and think"! There is only one candidate that asks the electorate to do that.
All the other candidates want to do the thinking for you. Actually, they want their corporate handlers doing the real thinking while they pretend to be doing the thinking.
Well said, Senator!
You, Denis Kucinich and Ron Paul are the only American politicians who speak with clarity.
Americans since 1980 have consistently voted to be on the receiving end of the biggest financial sodomizing in history, but this is a logical progression derived from over a hundred years of deranged, criminal "leadershi
Go Mike! and don't forget to pack your Kevlar undies. The Bush crime family, which includes the Clintons, has given itself (with help from a Democratic Congress) the legal framework to legally murder anyone who "impedes Iraq reconstruc
We are living the Chinese curse of Interesting Times. I fear they are about to get even more so.
It's politicians like you who make me look forward to one day being able to vote.
Mike Gravel says "We should never negotiate with terrorists and we must hunt down Bin Laden and anyone else who attacks us."
and I say Mike Gravel is one tough pacifist.
One of the reasons I like Mike is that he wants the USA to close its military bases all over the world and bring the troops home.
Mike says "we must hunt down Bin Laden".
On this one, I agree with GW Bush, that it's better just to let him be. Osama bin Laden is beloved by millions. To kill him would certainly fan the flames of the cycle of violence.
If you like what you read -- send the man 10 or 20 bucks. It takes money to get a message out and Senator Gravel's is worth hearing. Your spare change can make change.
www.gravel
If you live in one of the states below, your help can get his campaign matching federal funds. The amount is what he needs to qualify.
ARIZONA: $984
COLORADO: $1,169
CONNECTICUT: $868
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA $1,034
MARYLAND: $1,109
NEW HAMPSHIRE: $730 (very close NH!)
OHIO: $794 (close Ohio!)
WISCONSIN: $1,257
Peace!
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