By Stan G. Kain
September 11, 2003
Today commemorates the second anniversary of the World Trade Center attack in New York City. Of the nearly 3,000 people who died in the attack, the city medical examiner's office has identified the remains of 1, 521 victims. Fewer than 300 bodies were recovered from Ground Zero. The attack, orchestrated by Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda terrorist group is etched in the minds of people, worldwide.
Two years after the WTC attack, many questions remain unanswered. Families wait for loved ones to be identified. Concerns about the health risk to rescuers are a matter of debate. Osama bin Laden continues to direct his terror organization, probably from the mountains of Afghanistan. Al Qaeda links to Iraq are still in question. Intelligence organizations continue to sift through information, searching for clues to the 0/11 attack, as well as ones which may prevent a future attack. Most Americans agree, their country will never be as it was prior to September 11, 2001.
New Yorkers are wrestling with how to honor the fallen victims of the 9/11 attack. Nearly 54 percent of those polled want the memorial to honor uniformed officer, firefighters and civilians, equally. Maurice Carroll, a pollster, says, "In the official memorial, New Yorkers don't want to differentiate among the dead." A group of 13 people are attempting to narrow the field of 5,200 entries from 62 nations, before deciding on a fitting memorial.
Architect, Daniel Libeskind, says the memorial will occupy 4.5 acres of the 16 acre World Trade Center site. Libeskind's Freedom Tower would be more than 400 feet taller than the former twin towers. Several family members of the WTC victims how the Trade Center pit will be spared from development, serving as a memorial for the lost.
While reflecting on the destruction of the World Trade Center today, one must also question what the future holds. What steps are being taken to prevent another attack of this magnitude in America? While protecting America, what is being done to protect the freedom and privacy of American citizens? There is a delicate balance between security and liberty. Civil libertarians are concerned with new powers of the Justice Department. Law enforcement asks for additional tools to help uncover potential threats to the American way of life. Courts are left with the difficult task of maintaining balance in this democracy. Not an easy task for even veteran jurists. General Michael Hayden, Director of the National Security Agency, has hired more than 1,100 more people to deal with what is called, "signals intelligence." Congress has given U.S. Intelligence billions of dollars for the war on terror. The actual amount is classified. Even with the additional staffing, increased funding and changes to the U.S. Intelligence service, General Hayden says, "We are better now than we ever have been, but there are no guarantees. I can't say that."
A Congressional inquiry claims there are multiple weaknesses which contributed to the 9/11 surprise attack. The inquiry blames the FBI and their use of antiquated computer systems, as well as their focus on crime, rather than terrorism. The inquiry also states that communication is a major weakness. The Central Intelligence Agency failed to provide important information to the FBI, prior to the attack. Elanor Hill, staff director of the Congressional 9/11 Committee said, "You can have the world's best intelligence and if it doesn't get to the people who need it to act in time, it's worthless."
In response, FBI Director, Robert Mueller says the FBI is now concentrating on terrorism, rather than crime. In the law enforcement world, there is a much greater exchange of information. The Congressional Inquiry Board says there is a clear lack of leadership in the intelligence and law enforcement community. Politics appears to play a major role in deciding who will direct intelligence efforts. Right now, CIA Director Tenet sets priorities. Meanwhile, the NSA gets their budget from the Pentagon. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld doesn't want to give up his control, either. Washington needs to decide who is captain of the ship, if they really want to protect American citizens.
Following the 9/11 attack, all eyes were focused on al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. Today, one hears little about either. We haven't been able to catch bin Laden and U.S. efforts are in Iraq. In an odd twist, nearly all 9/11 hijackers were Saudi Arabian, not an Iraqi among them. President Bush, all but ignoring the U.S. economy, continues to pour money into his war in Iraq. What effect has this had on al Qaeda, the perpetrator of the 9/11 attack?
Marching through Afghanistan, in an effort to break al Qaeda, followed by an attack on Iraq, may have actually opened a new front for Osama bin Laden's terrorist group. U.S. military officials and terrorism analysts say, suspicions mount that al Qaeda fighters are among foreign fighers attempting to cross into Iraq. In the border town of Al Qaim, about a mile from the Syrian border, U.S. military commandeers say they captured four foreign fighters believed to be al Qaeda. A newly released tape, believed to be Osama bin Laden, puts Iraq at the heart of a new cause for Muslim extremists.
Osama bin Laden is still eluding capture. So is Saddam Hussein. Weapons of mass destruction in Iraq have not been found. American soldiers find their tour of duty in Iraq being extended. The White House is asking Congress for billions and billions of dollars for continuing efforts in Iraq. Afghanistan is as unstable today as it was before American troops attempted to quash al Qaeda training in that country.
As we reflect today, remembering those who died two years ago in our nation's worst attack, we should also reflect on our direction, as a nation. We were attacked by Osama bin Laden's extremist group of terrorists. That is where we should focus. Certainly, we must crush the extremists who attacked our nation. Until we complete this mission, we cannot afford war on other fronts. Let's not forget who orchestrated the attack on September 11, 2001. It was not Iraq and it was not North Korea. It was not a nation, nor a religion. This attack came from a specific extremist organization, operating in many nations of the world. We would be better to seek the cooperation of the world community in eliminating a safe haven for these terrorists. They should not be welcome anywhere. Not in the Christian world, Islamic world or anywhere else. We should demand cooperation and direction for our intelligence and law enforcement communities, while remaining vigilant in respect to our individual freedoms and rights.
I sincerely hope everyone will take a moment today to remember the people and events of September 11, 2001. May we also remember our enemy. Do not confuse the enemy with a nation, religion or people. May we continue to respect the rights and culture of people around the world, while demanding that our rights and culture have the same respect from our neighbors.
If you have questions or comments, please email Stan.
ⒸCopyright Stan G. Kain 2003
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