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

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

As much as people want to believe that the September 11th attacks were orchestrated by some secretive arm of our gov't, consider the people involved.

Does anyone really believe that dumbya could have played some role in the tragedies? First of all, he isn't capable of the critical thought necessary to carry out ANY part of it. Secondly, he isn't an actor - hell, he can barely read the speeches they shove in front of him.

Even if someone as evil as Cheney had played a role, imagine the scores of good Americans within the gov't that would have had to have been involved.

These are the people who are leaking the criminal activities like the data mining and warrantless wiretaps.

Cheney and his coven certainly EXPLOITED the entire situation and used it for political gain.

THAT'S what needs to be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law - not just impeachment. Imprison the bastards.

[MetalCanuck]

It wasn't dubya, it was Cheney, Rummy, CIA, Mossad and yes they ARE COMPETENT. People have been fooled into thinking their government is stupid..its not.

[BohicaBabe]

If you look at the photos from the Pentagon, it is readily apparent it was hit by a missile and not an airplane. An airplane would have left a debris trail from the wings shearing on impact and the engines would have been embedded in the building. No engines were recovered. No plane parts were recovered. Further, no plane could have punched through that many rings. They're built light for fuel economy and would not have been able to penetrate like a missile. So... the question now is who has the ability to put a missile in the Pentagon?

I'm retired military and no conspiracy nut.

[Nommo]

Could it be worse than a governmental conspiracy, a willful hurtling toward failure? You could not keep a day care center open with that kind of simple minded turf warring going on. Are they committed our the nation's health and well being or just being FBI agents? Or CIA agents? Even government functionaries?
It is not as if the warnings were about a bunch of kids planning to trash the local high school. Our embassies had already been blown up.
Hell, in the real world, the unemployment line would have had a bunch of new applicants.
Does anyone down there have a clue?

[avergejoe]

An anusually cogent piece for a congressman.

[dailyrev]

As I said yesterday http://dailyrevolution.net/?p=6388] after reading the WaPo piece on this guy, whether he is electable is less important than whether he is heard. That a voice as clear and experienced as Gravel's has been relegated, over a year before the election, to also-ran, non-entity status by the MSM is an affront to reason and an insult to democracy.

[protagonia]

Mike is right. He's one of the only people with the guts to face this dragon head on.

We are easily manipulated fools if we don't vote for GRAVEL/KUCINICH 08'.

I AM TIRED OF BEING TOLD WHAT IS "REALISTIC"...

especially by people who are wrong about EVERYTHING ELSE!

[MetalCanuck]

Of course Mike is right, he is a honest candidate. But people here will vote for a mainstream candidate who will do nothing.

[Eric Von Baranov]

Mike explodes the myths of 9/11 why do you perpetuate another myth. You are people - you can vote for Mike. I am people - I will Vote for Mike.

If enough people vote for Mike he wins the election. It is as simple as that. Everyone who hears Mike responds to his logic. We just need to get more people listening. Mike will do the rest.

Eric Von Baranov

[FidgetyFeet]

I'm tired of listening to all the complaining about politics as usual and then when the answer is staring people in the face they say, "Yeh, I like Mike Gravel but he will never win".
All Mike Gravel needs right now is help qualifying for matching funds.
Go to his site "Gravel 08" and donate $20.00 to save your country.