It's War

Submitted by John R (United States), Sep 15, 2006 at 21:49

9/11 changed much for conservatives, little for liberals.

True.

Conservatives tend to see the United States, Western culture, and even civilization itself under assault from a barbaric totalitarian force in some way connected to Islam. They perceive a cosmic struggle — reminiscent of those in World War II and the Cold War — over the future destiny of mankind.

Rightly so.

Liberals tend to have a far more relaxed view of the situation, as symbolized by John Kerry's 2004 comment calling terrorism a "nuisance" and comparing it to gambling and prostitution.

Kerry was outrageous.

Liberals widely accuse conservatives, for self-interested reasons, of exaggerating the threat. The hard Left goes further and purveys conspiracy theories about the Bush administration having perpetrated 9/11.

We should take the threat very seriously. Sept 11, terrorists acts, succesful and thwarted, in London and New York's subway station, as well as terrorism and constant threats of terrorism all around the world, being in the nuclear age, Iran's nuclear threat, bear this out.

As I pointed out already in 1994 (in a National Review article), the current debate divides along lines closely mirroring those concerning the Soviet Union. Conservatives, being prouder of what Americans have created, worry more about external threats and urge confrontation; liberals, being more self-critical, are more sanguine, and prefer conciliation. Put differently, 9/11 mobilized conservatives against radical Islam even as it mobilized liberals against conservatives.

Looking ahead, nothing but an atrocity of terrible proportions will wake liberals and make "united we stand" once again a meaningful slogan.

Sept 11 woke up the liberals only temporarily.. Years after came the usual liberal polemics against whatever the Republicans stand for, and this time includes the handling on the war on terror and Iraq.

By saying liberal, however, are you saying Democrats in general or just the far left?

John R.

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Daniel Pipes replies:

I am saying most Democrats.