Ten years ago on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 I was having breakfast with friends in Calgary when their daughter interrupted us to turn on the TV to display video of the towers falling in NYC. After a while repeated showings became just plain tedious. A few days later I was bemused to note that everyone at the security wall in Calgary Airport wore a turban and kirpan. Airlines still served meals back then and although I wasn’t allowed to take my jackknife and nail clippers aboard the plane metal knives and forks it seems were okay. 9/11 has become as iconic in American Mythology as December 7th, 1941. We did not round up everyone of Arabic decent, seize their property, and place them in concentration camps but the xenophobia, distrust, and suspicions remain much the same.
Anyone who has attempted to fly, cross a border, or enter a public building has felt the impact of the events of that day. Those that manage security concerns have felt themselves empowered and have become zealous in bolstering their empires in the name of public safety. Whether the hundreds of millions spent and the wars waged have made America one iota safer is open to question. It has made travel more onerous, added to public unease, and plunged America into a debt situation from which it will probably never recover. Somehow it’s ironic that the one remaining Communist Bloc Country now essentially owns America.
Those who fail to learn the lessons of History are fated to repeat them. If Russia, with half a million men could not subdue Afghanistan what does America think it can do. And why on earth did Canada allow itself to be dragged into this futile conflict? If the war has cost America 15 trillion dollars, dealing with the veterans for the next 60 years will cost 45. One wonders how much the people who sold out Osama Bin Laden were paid; I’d hate to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder as those people will.
Waging war on terror to win peace is a contradiction in terms. Since suicide bombers are so sure of the rightness of their cause they believe their deaths will transmit them immediately to heaven as they understand it. It is almost impossible to defend against someone who is willing to die in the attempt. If a small fraction of the money spent on the war on terror had been used to better the lives of these people we’d have allies rather than mortal enemies. When fear takes over imaginary Weapons of Mass Destruction become tangible and enemies are invented to give vent to that fear and anger. If 15 trillion dollars had been spent on research to find alternatives to fossil fuels we wouldn’t be dependent on Middle East Oil.
While North American Youth grow fat and unhealthy sitting in front of digital screens five generations of some Arab families have lived in refugee or resettlement camps emotionally and physically starved. They may not have much but they can see how others live on TV. Should we be surprised that such privation breeds discontent and resentment? Is there any lack of fodder for Islamic Zealots who would spread terror? Should we be surprised that a people with no hope embrace such philosophies so eagerly? Do we need to find a new target for our War on Terror?
Anyone who has attempted to fly, cross a border, or enter a public building has felt the impact of the events of that day. Those that manage security concerns have felt themselves empowered and have become zealous in bolstering their empires in the name of public safety. Whether the hundreds of millions spent and the wars waged have made America one iota safer is open to question. It has made travel more onerous, added to public unease, and plunged America into a debt situation from which it will probably never recover. Somehow it’s ironic that the one remaining Communist Bloc Country now essentially owns America.
Those who fail to learn the lessons of History are fated to repeat them. If Russia, with half a million men could not subdue Afghanistan what does America think it can do. And why on earth did Canada allow itself to be dragged into this futile conflict? If the war has cost America 15 trillion dollars, dealing with the veterans for the next 60 years will cost 45. One wonders how much the people who sold out Osama Bin Laden were paid; I’d hate to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder as those people will.
Waging war on terror to win peace is a contradiction in terms. Since suicide bombers are so sure of the rightness of their cause they believe their deaths will transmit them immediately to heaven as they understand it. It is almost impossible to defend against someone who is willing to die in the attempt. If a small fraction of the money spent on the war on terror had been used to better the lives of these people we’d have allies rather than mortal enemies. When fear takes over imaginary Weapons of Mass Destruction become tangible and enemies are invented to give vent to that fear and anger. If 15 trillion dollars had been spent on research to find alternatives to fossil fuels we wouldn’t be dependent on Middle East Oil.
While North American Youth grow fat and unhealthy sitting in front of digital screens five generations of some Arab families have lived in refugee or resettlement camps emotionally and physically starved. They may not have much but they can see how others live on TV. Should we be surprised that such privation breeds discontent and resentment? Is there any lack of fodder for Islamic Zealots who would spread terror? Should we be surprised that a people with no hope embrace such philosophies so eagerly? Do we need to find a new target for our War on Terror?
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