9/11 - 9 Years Later

[finnbow]

It seems that Ted Koppel has successfully captured my views on the subject (i.e., Thanks to us, bin Laden succeeded far beyond his wildest dreams).

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...d=opinionsbox1

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by finnbow

It seems that Ted Koppel has successfully captured my views on the subject (i.e., Thanks to us, bin Laden succeeded far beyond his wildest dreams).

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...d=opinionsbox1

the saddest part is that this is not revisionist history in as much as even a simpleton like me knew what the right course was and that allowing ourselves to get bogged down in Afghanistan and going into Iraq were major mistakes

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by noonereal

the saddest part is that this is not revisionist history in as much as even a simpleton like me knew what the right course was and that allowing ourselves to get bogged down in Afghanistan and going into Iraq were major mistakes

As much as we may feel that this article is stating the obvious, it will be interesting to see whether and why some forum members take issue with it.

[whell]

Originally Posted by finnbow

As much as we may feel that this article is stating the obvious, it will be interesting to see whether and why some forum members take issue with it.

This one won't. Surprised?

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by whell

This one won't. Surprised?

Actually, no. Despite the rants you've been receiving from others, I appreciate your posts and perspective on this forum (not to say that I agree with all of them, but what does that matter?)

You may be surprised to learn that I was a Republican until about 2002. Dubya left me running for the door.

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Actually, no. Despite the rants you've been receiving from others, I appreciate your posts and perspective on this forum (not to say that I agree with all of them, but what does that matter?)

You may be surprised to learn that I was a Republican until about 2002. Dubya left me running for the door.

I ran out two years before but for the same reason.


(but I thought I had received the rant )

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by noonereal

(but I thought I had received the rant )

Maybe Pat's talking about me?

Nah!

John

PS: I'm not surprised either. Whell, for all that we disagree, is clearly a person who thinks, not simply a slave to his amigdala.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Actually, no. Despite the rants you've been receiving from others, I appreciate your posts and perspective on this forum (not to say that I agree with all of them, but what does that matter?)

You may be surprised to learn that I was a Republican until about 2002. Dubya left me running for the door.

Me too, but my dislike of the GOP started a little earlier than that, by the time GWB bombed Baghdad, I was pretty much done with them. Now, my distaste for the GOP and it's armies of so-called "Great Americans" runs so deep, I fight them every chance I get.

Dave

[BlueStreak]

As for the OP; WHEW! Thanks for reminding me! I had forgotten like the dumbass, terrorist loving, ex-Republican "Not so Great American" I am.

Seriously; A terrible and tragic day, I'll never forget how shocked and horrified I was.
All of the dead and wounded---those poor people. Never Forget.

Dave

[d-ray657]

How long has Ted Koppel been covering issues in the Middle East? Well over 30 years isn't it. His knowledge and understanding show. I was going to ask what we should do now, and he answered it. Reflect on what has happened and see if we can find a way for that to guide us.

I know Noone and Boreas have advanced a theme here that humans act in tribal ways. I suppose that might be the answer to my next question, which would be: Are the people of all other countries as susceptible to having their prejudices and fear of the unknown inflamed by demagogues as we are? Is there a way to overcome it?

I'm certainly not claiming that the U.S. has the only population that is subject to manipulation by fear or "tribal identity." It seems that a lot of the anti-Muslim sentiment demonstrated here offends the notion of tribal pride in the Muslim countries. What is not clear is whether the people we see reacting by burning American flags and demonstrating in the streets are just as unrepresentative of Muslim society as are the people carrying offensive signs at the protests of the cultural center, or Fred Phelps or Pastor Bonfire promoting their own brand of lunacy.

Similarly, is it possible that a majority of Muslims believe that any society is going to have it's share of crackpots? Alternatively, are the majority of Muslims so used to living it a strictly orthodox society - one that would not allow such crackpots to stray so far from the mean - that they expect the US to be able to keep a lid on it's crackpots too?

Finally whether it is reason, faith, education, or a combination of these and other assets, are we as a people capable of developing a toleration of other races, religions and lifestyles that we might become an example worth emulating?

Regards,

D-Ray