It’s early September, almost Sept. 11, the day that turned the first weeks of school into even more of a drag than expected for all students across the country in 2001. No, but seriously, it’s been 7 years since the terrorist attack and it seems we are still in a mess. Wars all across the globe with no clear end in sight. On the bright side, President Bush will be out of office soon. But who will take his place is far from clear and that means our country may have to accept, to quote Barack Obama, “more of the same.”
Time Magazine reported today that a new independent study, which will be released tomorrow, found that “The United States remains ‘dangerously vulnerable’ to chemical, biological and nuclear attacks seven years after 9/11.” The story also cited a report from Congressional Democrats. That report “found little or no progress across the board on national security initiatives.”
If both the partisan Congressional Democrats and an independent panel, the bipartisan Partnership for a Secure America, which includes leaders of the disbanded 9/11 Commission, say America is still vulnerable, than how can the American public actually believe in John McCain and his “stay the course” message?
There are two issues to be discussed. Is the country safer since 9/11?? No, say the studies. But many others say yes.
And has the War on Terror been effective?
Republicans, along with some Democrats, believe strides have been made to make the country safer. But only conservatives and republicans are sticking with the War on Terror. What a difference a change of phrase can make. Is the country safer is merely a broader question than has the war been effective. It’s more open-ended, leaving politicians room to breathe, or back off their positions in the future.
Interestingly, two major Democrats, the two Senators from New York, the state that suffered the most in 9/11, believe the country is safer. Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton.
With the anniversary right around the corner it will be interesting to see how Obama and McCain make the most of the moment. Obama thinks we are not safer. McCain thinks we are. Not surprising. Both will be in NYC and both have claimed to not politicize the memorial and to not run attack ads. What is more important, for me and many others, is not respect but vision. The candidates should look to the awful day that will always be with us for guidance, and make appropriate proposals for the future.
