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On the need to return to a September 10 mindset
(3)Juan Cole posts a guest editorial from Andy Worthington, author of The Guantnamo Files: The Stories of the 774 Detainees in America’s Illegal Prison:
During the election campaign, one of the sticks with which John McCains team attempted to beat Barack Obama was a claim that he was soft on terrorism, or, as Senator McCains national security director Randy Scheunemann declared to reporters in June, Senator Obama is a perfect manifestation of a September 10th mind-set … He does not understand the nature of the enemies we face.
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And yet, a September 10th mind-set is exactly what is required to begin undoing the damage inflicted on Americas moral standing by President Bush and those closest to him, who were responsible for driving the country on a fear-filled journey to the Dark Side. Specifically, those most culpable are Vice President Dick Cheney, former defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and Cheneys former legal counsel and now chief of staff, David Addington, all exponents of the unitary executive theory of government, for whom the declaration of a state of permanent war provided the perfect opportunity to grant the President dictatorial powers.
Amen.
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Also, this is heartening.
Andy Worthington, Barack Obama, Juan ColeCHICAGO — Chicago workers in the third day of a sit-in on the floor of their former workplace peered through the windows of a door Sunday, amazed by a mix of supporters, politicians and journalists who packed a foyer outside.
“We never expected this,” said Melvin Maclin, a factory employee and vice president of the local union that represents the workers. “We expected to go to jail.”
The 200 workers demanding severance and vacation pay have become a national symbol for thousands of employees laid off nationwide as the economy continues to sour. They occupied the plant of their former employer, Republic Windows and Doors, after the company abruptly fired them last week.
At a news conference Sunday, President-elect Barack Obama said Republic should follow through on its commitments to its workers.
“The workers who are asking for the benefits and payments that they have earned, I think they’re absolutely right and understand that what’s happening to them is reflective of what’s happening across this economy,” Obama said.
3 Responses to “On the need to return to a September 10 mindset”
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Rosalie December 8th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Speaking of September 11, have you read Naomi Klein’s Shock Doctrine yet? I have just ordered it, and have been watching some of her videos about the thesis of her book, available on youtube or at her website naomiklein.com. This vdeo is shorter (55 min): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNzcJImX4Ew&feature=related
and is relevant to the first part of your post today. Stay warm and safe! — Ro -
koshembos December 8th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Although I strongly support the 9/10 mindset, I am afraid that we have done additional damage to our society since they.
The legitimacy of hate has spread from the right all the way to the left (or what pretends to be left). We strengthened a superclass that starts with CEOs and goes down to young couples each with a six figure salary. We got a media that lack intellectual honesty, analytic ability, objectivity and humility. We have relegated a president, Clinton, who created 20 million jobs, brought peace and prosperity and was a friend of minorities to the status of a criminal; he is even guilty for the financial collapse.
I doubt whether there is a way back to 9/10.
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Right with you, Kos. My hope is that people will wake up to that whopper. Blaming Clinton for this meltdown is like blaming Roosevelt for 9/11. I think it comes back to the question: what happens when a class war starts and only one side (albeit in the guise/under the banner of a culture war)shows up ?
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