Posted by
MJB on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 12:47:52 AM
MJ: Watched most of the first part of the Path to
9/11 on ABC last night (I was playing hockey and missed the first hour). The
part that I did see was very well done - and I found myself making some observations:
I thought
seeing the Islamic terrorists/fundamentalists/fascists (take your pick) was
chilling. The terrorist camps, the rugged landscape – even the Toyota trucks and SUVs…I thought it was
gripping television. I particularly noticed a scene at one of the terrorist
camps, which flashed by briefly. In the midst of this barbaric environment the
camera passes by a table of computers. The contrast between the primitive environment
and the sophistication required to use the Internet and a computer was rather
stunning.
The
production values were excellent, and created a mood of serious contemplation. It
was clear that the network spent serious money on a serious program – which was
refreshing.
Despite all
of the controversy surrounding what was left in the program...and what was
removed…it was a powerful indictment of government inaction. I didn’t see
tonight’s program, so maybe the Bush administration came in for the same type
or amount of criticism – which wouldn’t bother me.
As to the charge that the Clintonistas screamed and moaned to get the attention of the Bush administration as to the seriousness of terrorism - uh, yea. I guess that was part of all those "welcome" parties they threw for the Bushies.
For another thing - the government of the United States is one big, hulking monster. To imply that a new department secretary or undersecretary could grap hold of a department of tens of thousands of people, crack the whip and get all the people running in the same direction (think: the chariot scene in Ben Hur) in days or weeks...well, you clearly haven't been part of any organization larger than a coffee shop (and just think how tough it is to change lemon bar providers in that outfit, eh?).
It would have taken months to figure out where the spare pens were stored, much less totally refocus all of the department's employees on this specific issue.
Quite
frankly, with the exception of selected government, military and intelligence members
(as profiled in the program last night)…NOBODY CARED! Threats were always
overseas –happening to people not like us – in places we don’t know (or care) much
about – not here in the United
States. I remember my husband calling me 5
years ago with news of what happened. Like so many others, my first thought was
‘small plane’. But, once I turned on the TV and saw both towers burning – no
way. It was immediately obvious that we had been attacked. My first thought was
“OK, here we go. Wonder if we’re ready?”
I can see
how many in the Clinton
administration would be upset at the portrayal – it does not paint them in a
very good light. However, I think it’s also realistic they were concerned with
reactions on Capitol Hill. 20/20 hindsight is always a gift. Congressional
members on both sides of the aisle waste no time in strutting for the
microphone or camera when the mood strikes.
The best
line of the movie was of course “are there no men in Washington? Or are they all cowards?” It’s
clear what the answer was during the Clinton
administration. Leadership often means taking unpopular or difficult positions –
which they were consistently unable to do. And Capitol Hill bears part of the
blame.
However, it
isn’t fair to blame all of this on the Clinton
administration. When Reagan cut and ran from Lebanon after the bombing of the
marine barracks – notice was carefully taken. No administration fully grasped
the nature of the threat - perhaps because we as citizens lacked the ability to
grapple with what we were facing. Those administrations simply reflected what
we ourselves failed to grasp.
With so
many others, I am thankful that it is George Bush at the helm of our country
during this difficult time. Whatever mistakes have been made, at least they are
taking the ball and running down the field. Movement and action, versus
uncertainty and fear, is the way to go against these terrorists. God bless our
president and the people who work with him.