Have we learned anything? Are we better off?
Yes, it’s a decade since “9-11”. We have engaged in at least three wars- Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. And, we are still engaged in those same three wars.
We finally captured/killed Osama Bin Laden. I was at the largest public event in America when that happened. An extra-inning ballgame of my beloved Phillies. The Mets players could not figure out why the Philly Phans were cheering (when they came to bat in the 9th inning). But, that still tells us nothing of what we learned.
We’ve abrograted our civil rights covenant with the “people”. In the name of “being safe”. But, we’re not safe. We’ve lost our ability to fly at will anywhere in the country or the world. We need to be searched (sometimes strip-searched), we need to check baggage (and the airlines were NOT required to improve their ability to load and unload this cargo, so now we arrive 2 hours early for a flight and wait for an hour after the flight), and we get charged for non-existent security (where some peon examines our driver’s license and computers, after making us wait for 30 minutes in line).
Our young ones are learning that war never ends. That nothing is secure. That we need to fear strangers.
In the meantime, we don’t force the power companies secure their facilities. Bury their power lines. Change the algorithms so that some ding-dong (either employed by them [Federal Regulators to Investigate San Diego Power Outage] or ensconced halfway around the world) can not shut down our power grid. Our water providers (check Portland, OR or Washington, DC for starters) have reservoirs that can be poisoned by anyone. National Airport (no, I won’t call it Reagan- and neither does the travel industry since it’s designation is still DCA) allows anyone to approach the runway and take potshots or RPG’s at aircraft- while they disallow private aviation, as a “safety precaution”. (There are many other examples.)
We can’t approach the White House, the Capitol, and a plethora of other government buildings. The federal government is abandoning sites it’s used for decades to move further out- and these new sites lack mass transportation capabilities- so they can have “buffer zones” from the public. (Yet, they close Walter Reed Hospital, which had the buffer zone and tons of open space, to move to crowded Bethesda.)
We were united for a brief 15 minutes of fame on 9-11. That is long gone. Now, instead of rooting for and building our country together, we make decisions JUST to …. up the other party.
I was in New York City 10 years ago. I left right before the planes hit the World Trade Center. (Yes, I am sorry they were hit, but they were an architectural monstrosity that were erected to continue to charge tolls to the denizens of New York and New Jersey. After all, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey now had tremendous debt to retire.) Another plane hit the Pentagon shortly thereafter. Those first three planes were populated with teachers, young students, and techies off on major adventures.
United Airlines Flight 93 might have hit the Pentagon, the Capitol, or the White House. But, the 40 people on board this flight were more athletic. And, they had the hindsight that the Pentagon and the World Trade Center were already hit. And, they acted- selflessly- taking that plane down and dying to save the intended target(s) from unmentionable harm. (My hat is off – and I stand at attention- with their memory. And to the countless police, fire, and rescue who lived- or died- saving others that day.) And, my deepest regard for the Air National Guard’s Lt. Heather Penny and Colonel Mark Sasseville, who were ordered that fateful morn to scramble F-16’s from Andrew’s Air Force Base – with NO weapons on board- and to take down Flight 93. By ramming it (and presumably losing their lives in the process). After they were in the air, they found they did not have to perform that act, since the passengers did it for them.
Let’s stop repeating the same stupid mistakes. We can protect ourselves. If we work together, stop coddling our water, energy, and infrastructure firms, which don’t want to spend the money to protect OUR assets (after all they bill us for them)- NOW!
My children deserve it. So do yours! Listen to the admonition of one of those heroes, Todd Beamer…”Let’s roll!”
Time’s a-wasting!
Once again, great insights and observations Roy – especially regarding the exposure of the power. How about our water supply??
Tor- I listed them, too (ok, not everyone’s! I am limited to a few hundred words.) Portland Oregon and Washington DC have reservoirs that anyone can poison with a dart gun.
I truly am worried that no one is paying attention!
Thanks for the visit and your query. The more people ask, the more likely someone will finally listen!
Roy
It’s all scary stuff, just like your post about infesting each other with diseases. I live within ten miles of a nuclear power plant. It’s not in a highly populated area, so probably wouldn’t be the first target, but it leaves me on edge just the same. My husband just remarked about the lame security at airports, as he has been doing a lot of traveling. He once forgot that he had his Leatherman pocket tool in his carry on bag. Detectors never picked it up. He noticed it later and transferred it to his checked baggage before the return flight. I don’t feel we are any safer than we were before 9-11. Just more inconvenienced. That said, I’m grateful that there have been no further 9-11 type attacks, so maybe someone is doing something right. Thanks for the post!
Suerae,
I’m really not worried about someone physically attacking a nuclear plant (although I should- since that would be the next level). Instead, these folks are planning to send computer controls to screw up transmissions, turning off our power, confusing the controls on the plant to destroy itself. America will not function without power.
People cannot function without water.
And, business and citizens panic when aviation is diverted.
Hence, my warning.
Roy
We had a similar conversation last night with some friends. Here’s a quote – “Do people really remember WHAT 9/11 was?” Let’s not delegate this day simply to being patriotic. We pay greatest honor to those who gave of themselves that day by learning and doing. That’s patriotism.
I’m with you, Bonnie.
I only got more depressed listening to all those speeches yesterday. We seem to think that expressing sympathy is the proper response. Rather than insuring that another generation of children do not have tolearn how to grow up fatherless or motherless.
Roy
A very powerful and insightful piece, Roy. Well done.
I agree the “feel good” tactics of airport security is a waste of time and money. Future attacks will be on a completely different level.
I also agree with your comment about the parties upping the other. Stop the nonsense and get down to work!
One can only hope, PeggyLee, that change will happen- before we need to react.
Proaction seems to be elusive in our government.
Roy
Roy,
Another topic you have brought out into the open. The Nations have got to stop focusing on what is easy and publicly political and truly decide to take care of what matters. Well written as always and more truth than I’ve seen in a long time.
My hat’s off to you…keep dusting off the truth and shining a light on it!
Thanks, Bonnie, for your kind words.
We all need to clamor for change. Or, we are left with what we have now.
Roy
But Roy the PTB only pay attention when their asses are on the line. I think you wrote that Homeland Security was unworkable and only gave more jobs for the boys in another blog.
The problem is not just in America but world wide. We keep electing ass-holes and then we allow them to stay in office making really dumb decisions and we meekly bow down to the wisdom of the position. When will we learn to be responsible for ourselves and our own jobs.
When will we learn that if its going to be, its up to ME.
I agree, Roberta.
It’s why I am writing, hoping to get others to join me in demanding change.
Thanks for joining in on your own.
Roy
It is just a matter of time before we have another disaster. I think too much money has been wasted and we are still not safe. Yes, we do need to get rolling…before it is too late.
One can only hope, Janette.
We have to start clamoring for change.
Roy
I was thinking many of the same things yesterday; mainly, how quickly our sense of unity fell apart and the excesses of our government (supposedly) in response to terror.
If anything, it seems our waging all-out war exacerbated the hunt for bin Laden and the other al-Qaeda leaders. Not to mention the thousands more lives and hundreds of billions of dollars it cost us. Now we’re too broke to rebuild our own nation.
Hopefully, it won’t take an attack to draw attention to the vulnerabilities you’ve mentioned here. One can always hope for more capable and responsible leadership emerging from future cycles but I’m not sure where that’s going to come from.
Yesterday was very depressing indeed.
Spot-on analysis and tremendous post. Shared around.
Thanks for your comments, Jeremy.
We citizens have to start demanding that our assets be protected- here. Not elsewhere in the world.
Roy
When my kids and I traveled to Vegas in 07 I set off 6 metal detectors in 4 days. I had to be patted down and wanded in front of everyone every single time, not the highlight of my post 9/11 flying.
I have seen many things happen in this country in my lifetime and most of it disgusts me. We came together for that tragedy and turned into a nation of even bigger racists. Wooo Go America. We, as you have said have been at war since 9/11 and even though the main target is now deceased we are still fighting.
In the meantime our country is becoming a 3rd world country and all because we wanted revenge instead of putting all that “debt” money into “actual” homeland security. I support the troops because I support mankind, I refuse to support war when it has done nothing but prove that we are indeed bullies and that we will never be a United country.
Once again we are making our citizens pay for something another country did, gee Karma really is a bitch isn’t she…
Jen:
There’s not a lot one could add to that. Except for the abrogation of our civil rights – to “protect us”- via the Patriot Act.
Thanks for visiting and making the effect clear to all who read the comments.
Roy
Hey Roy,
I salute you for writing such a wonderful eyeopener. We really needed this.
Soon after the attacks, we were targets. Not me, specifically, but yes, some of my friends and family living in the US have had loads of troubles. My parents visited my sister five years back and he was asked weird questions about his beard… though it is trimmed. Did we just lose a lot of trust and have made travelling a lot more difficult yes. Not only the US. I was returning to India after visiting my parents during a college break and the immigration officer asked me why is it important that I visit Abu Dhabi at least once a year. The fact that my parents lived there and I grew up there and go to visit them every vacation didn’t seem convincing. Also, the fact that I lived there 15 years of my life also didn’t sound convincing enough. What were they expecting for an answer?
It is high time, I have taken the high road. Be enlightened, learn more, find out what a religion actually says and believes in.
Thanks for this, sorry for venting. This has been very very interesting! 🙂
I salute you Roy!
You’ve added another dimension to the discussion, Hajra. And, you are right- xenophobia is the currency du jour.
Roy
Thanks for speaking out on these issues, Roy. Not enough people are.
We made changes after 9/11, but the wrong ones. I hope more voices continue the conversation and move to action as you’ve reminded us–the action is what’s needed most. I’ve got my congress people on speed dial. They may not listen, but I’ll keep asking.
Michelle:
I just spoke with three of mine- and the form letter they mailed two days later would be laughable- if it were not so pathetic!
Roy