September 11, Crisis Resolution

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" It's Time to Get Angry About 9/11 Reform "

Dennis Sandole
Prof. of Conflict Resolution and International Relations and Fulbright Visiting Professor of International Studies, Diplomatic Academy of Vienna

Washington Post, December 17, 2005

From Dr Dennis J D. Sandole.

Why aren't more Americans outraged?

Two widows of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks, Monica Gabrielle and Kristen Breitweiser, recently lamented in The Post that "as history has begun to make clear, the Sept. 11 commission's final report was a political whitewash, a negotiated coverup, and ultimately a shroud of protection for both the Clinton and Bush administrations. Americans should feel defrauded, disgusted and, most alarming, less safe knowing this chilling fact; we certainly do" [Free for All, Nov. 26].

Gabrielle and Breitweiser certainly have a point, especially after the alarming report issued recently by the Sept. 11 commission "that the Bush administration and Congress have balked at enacting numerous reforms that could save American lives and prevent another terrorist attack on U.S. soil" ["U.S. Is Given Failing Grades by 9/11 Panel," front page, Dec. 6].

It is interesting that while the nation is focused on the war in Iraq and who knew what and when, plus the issue of when the troops should be brought home, the real reasons for America's vulnerability to Sept. 11-type attacks by terrorists have not been addressed.

We seem to be more focused on Saddam Hussein's suit and courtroom histrionics than on Osama bin Laden recently receiving permission from a Saudi cleric to use a nuclear device against Americans.