Did 9-11 Really Change Us?
July 15, 2006
John Henry Lee
(Jim Young/Reuters) |
I wish I could say yes, but "not really" is the answer.
September 11 did change us; however, for the moment; but not overall as a nation for good. Think about it: about all the sacrifices made are by soldiers at war.
The country returned quickly to "business as usual."
For the victims and families and the geographical areas like New York and Washington, maybe there's been profound change. It's become a game to speculate just how much. Certainly, we're changed on the security front. For sure, life has changed for Arab Americans.
Politicians are so fond of saying, "the American people." They need to put a period on that concept. How about American people who care. The late Walt Rostow had it right (he was referring to politics but it fits) What a politician needs to do is get sixty percent of the people for him. Twenty-five percent are against everything and Fifteen percent are out to lunch(good numbers-think of voting percentages). Let's face it, most Americans are more interested in their sports than whether or not 2,545 members of the U.S.
military have died in Iraq.
September 11 gave us a great chance to steady the ship but we let it slip away. We had a chance to marshal our young people in service to their country. Congress should have stepped up to the plate and enacted some sort of two year Universal Service for our kids. Those who could not serve in the military due to medical reasons could serve in an Americorp type program.
These young people were standing in the door, waiting on the green light. Despite political wranglings, we could have done it. But, Americans who have any interest are still too ready to let someone else's children fight their wars.
So, did September 11 effect us? Yes, for a time: Church attendance was up, military recruiters had kids ready to sign up-the timing was there. The window closed. We're back to "business as usual."
Terrorism, unlike the Vietnam war or various crises, is not going away. When people are as fanatical about killing us as Osama and gang, it is a "forever" thing. The hatred, fueled mainly by the Mideast, will go on and on and we are going to have to live with what we have. There will be other 9-11s; and, politics, being what it is, will rise to the occasion, but then collapse in a heap of self-interest.
Adapted from article originally written September 11, 2002.
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