Issue date: 9/22/08 Section: Editorial

As we reflect on the 7th anniversary of 9/11 it is important to consider its meaning to the United States past and its future. For too long politicians and business interests have used the sacrifice of the victims to meet their own personal interests.
We saw it with the passing of the Patriot Act 1 & 2, laws that have significantly altered US civil rights and civil liberties, without most citizens even being aware.
We saw it again as it was used on the world stage as a primary impetus (amongst other claims later proved false) to justify our invasion and occupation of Iraq. And now we see it again as McCain, Palin and the right wing attempt to capitalize on the fear we felt immediately following the attacks by making the dubious claims that George Bush and his policies have kept us "safe" over the last four years, as evidenced by the lack of further attacks on US soil.
Of course they never mention that many government analysts believe the planning and coordination for 9/11 began in 1996 at the latest. They also never mention that what originally began Bin Laden's conflict against the United States was the first Gulf War when the United States invaded Iraq to protect Kuwait.
Now I am by no means implying that the US should let some rogue terrorist dictate its foreign policy. However, its foolish to assume that nothing else in the world matters other that than the United States (or our presidents) will. For every action that we do or don't undertake throughout the world there are consequences and not all of them are immediate or directly obvious.
This is why, as we approach this historic presidential election one of the most important considerations will be the candidate's world view. In this era of globalization there is no more domestic or foreign policy because everything done abroad affects you at home and vice-versa.
When considering this a McCain presidency becomes a chilling prospect. For McCain has already made it clear that he views foreign policy through Vietnam era, militaristic lens (who can forget some of McCain's greatest elections hits like Bomb, Bomb, Iran?).
However today's complex global society require someone not only willing to understand others but also willing to adapt to them.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools