Not So Fast (on the 9/11 Commission "Triumph")
Reader comment on item: The Triumph Of the 9/11 Commission

Submitted by Ron Cooper (United States), Aug 2, 2004 at 20:39

Although I've seen comments in the Commission report outlining the irrational and ideological hatred of the U.S. by Islamic terrorists, at least one commissioner, Jamie Gorelick is making some 'blame America first' comments. In a USA Today interview, Commissioner Gorelick points out a recommendation to define what the U.S. stands for:
"We should offer an example of moral leadership in the world, committing to treating people humanely, abide by the rule of law and be generous and caring toward our neighbors." She drones on in the typical liberal vein, saying bin Laden is more popular in the Arab and Muslim world than Bush, that there was tremendous sympathy for us after 9/11, but since then regard for America has gone into free fall, etc. Apparently there is enough material in the Commission's recommendations about educating or communicating with the Arab world to support those who are so inclined to continue in the same old deterministic mode, suggesting America needs to improve before we can expect not to be attacked by barbarians.

Victor Davis Hanson has also written a recent article entitled "If the Dead Could Talk" (available on both his website, victorhanson.com, and National Review Online), briefly criticizing the Commission on this point and finding its accurate conclusions "pedestrian."

Ron C

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