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.

Comments

[theLeftPaw]

Lesson 1: Underhanded and hypocritical deeds in our name, bring blow-back or repercussions; like 9/11.

Lesson 2: Incompetence is the “nice” word for why nothing was done to prevent it; but considering the repeated like-actions that followed (Katrina, etc…), I think we should just call it what it really is: Gross Negligence.

Lesson 3: They want and need a Boogeyman to get "US Oil" out of Iraqi Soil; and if they really went after Bin Laden, he wouldn’t be available to make videos for every major decision put before America. Plus, the lack of action taken in the face of fear should be saying to everybody by now that NOBODY has a sexier spine than Mike Gravel!!!

Lesson 4: History is repeating itself as Americans struggle to free themselves from Crazy King George.

Lesson 4: You shouldn’t have to negotiate with your friends; that’s what you do with those that are NOT your allies. Admitting mistakes, taking responsibility, and doing our best to repair the damage is what we all do as grown-ups. It's the least of which we should be able to expect from our government.

Lesson 5: Gravel is one of the rare few that has been keeping those responsible held accountable – at least in word, by challenging deceivers with the truth (no matter how harsh it is).

Is it really too much to expect some facts to be revealed and real answers to be provided - six years after the fact?

[cynara]

Mike Gravel for president!! Spot on analysis. Loved it..

[Maine-iac in cali]

As usual, Gravel tells it like it is.

[fariqabdulaziz]

Mike Gravel is far and away the best presidential candidate this country has seen in years. He speaks truth, he displays integrity and morality, judgement and understanding, and he deserves our support!

[KenTao]

Once again you put the supposedly "top tier" Democratic Presidential candidates to shame by your clear-headed, no nonsense assessment of our current geo-political situation.

How about this for a campaign slogan:

"I Like Mike!"

Keep up the great work, Senator. And bless you for being a True Patriot.

Earthlings Unite!

[jaber]

Great post Mr. Gravel. I am still debating which of the two to vote in the primaries: you or Kucinich.
I have one minor issue with lesson 4 though (never negotiate with terrorists). Your lesson number one implicitly explains why/how there are these monsters out there we call terrorists. Resolve that issue and we'll see the whole ball game changes. Other words, as much as much we call them terrorists, they are calling us worse!

Thanks for your courage.

[jimbrauner]

Thanks Mike. I can't believe they (whoever they are and it is easy to guess who) get away with marginalizing you. The only hope is up to US to offset that.

As Senator Gravel says, "There are only two venues to change governance, the people and the current government. We know what the government has become so it is up to 'The People'."

[fariqabdulaziz]

Mike Gravel is far and away the best presidential candidate this country has seen in years. He speaks truth, he displays integrity and morality, judgement and understanding, and he deserves our support!

[dailyrev]

I'm with protagonia (up there at the top): the time for image-obsessed cynicism that masquerades as "realism" is over, because the worst that can happen has already begun. The decadence has reached a point where only a vast popular movement, highlighted by broad grassroots support for a ticket like Gravel/Kucinich, will restore domestic sanity and international credibility for this nation. Protagonia's recommendation makes more sense to me than anything I'm hearing in the MSM or amid the punditocracy.

[fariqabdulaziz]

Mike Gravel is far and away the best presidential candidate this country has seen in years. He speaks truth, he displays integrity and morality, judgement and understanding, and he deserves our support!

[drblack]

A great post and right to the point Senator Gravel.
We need more folks like you in politics.

[jesusquintana]

That was an excellent article, Mr. Gravel. I must take issue with one point, however: "his hands drip with the blood of thousands of Americans who must be avenged."

Even if the "must be avenged" line was a rhetorical device, isn't it time we moved beyond this kind of thinking? Bloodlust and desire for vengeance was what got people behind Bush's criminal invasion of Iraq. Wanting Bin Laden to be brought to justice is one thing. Vengeance is another.

[l.blissett]

agreed.

personally don't care so much for deadheadfred, but he did make an excellent point yesterday about bin laden being entitled to due process.

of course the question is: whose version of due process? (saddam received 'due process' remember), however it would seem that under a gravel presidency, that it would follow the principles of habeus corpus.

if the good senator is willing to make such a radical statement such as encouraging diplomatic relations with iran (which i applaud him for), then he also should be willing to stand up for fair and equal justice for even the most heinous of criminals.

excellent point jesus.
good catch.

[Northshoredude]

Mike Gravel

You are a breath of fresh air through the fog of propoganda that the media feeds us every day. Nothing could be more ridiculous that the assertion that "they hate us for our freedoms". On Rethuglican troglodytes could come up with that. It is not even worth responding to. Uh, maybe they hate us because we are bombing the shit out of them and invading their countries or deposing their legitimate governments. DUH!! Keep on trucking Mike, it is a pity you will not be President.
Gravel/Kucinich!!

[rancidguy]

Hey why won't Mike get to be President?

[Desiderata]

Please include in that investigation why our airforce was ordered to "stand down" by Cheney.

[freespeach]

Yes Mike.

What a great post, it should be on page 1 at huffpo.

Keep speaking truth to power, and thank you for trying to get the Democrats to do the right thing.

[theLeftPaw]

First Page INDEED!!!

[thatvisionthing]

HEADLINED. UNDERLINED.