Did September 11 Kill Democracy? :: September 11 Terrorism Essays

Did September 11 Kill Democracy? The September 11 terrorist attack on America has provoked a strong response. Ameri pecks are at war. On television, from the mouths of politicians, in newspapers, this response is portrayed as unequivocal. As with Pearl Harbor, war has been tell on America. We have no choice but to respond with unpresidented military force. Other considerations might give us a pause, if they were not being piano swept under the rug by those eagerly pressing for war. Isnt war and violence precisely what terrorists are after? Rather than pitting ourselves against the Arab-Muslim world and lumping every(prenominal) Muslim in with the terrorists, shouldnt we draw closer to those elements in the Arab world that reject terrorism? Most importantly, shouldnt we attempt to fully understand why America was targeted? Do Ameri natess truly appreciate the role of the United States in the Middle East? Are our politicians and news media attempting to increase our understanding o f events in the Middle East in front we plunge headlong into war? None of these questions are being addressed. This is why the past few days have been so terrifying. A catastrophe can happen to any nation, but a democracy requires thoughtful debate and exposure to the necessary information before a republican decision can be made. To quote translator Lee of California, Weve got to bring these perpetrators to justice. But Im saying that I have not yet seen the evidence. And until then, in Congress, we must show restraint. Representative Lee was the only Representative who voted against authorizing military force on Friday. This fact alone is shocking and should be worrisome. Where is the democratic debate when, a scant 4 days after the events, all of Congress decides for the nation that there is no alternative to military action? Without full knowledge of who was involved in the events, and watchful consideration of all possible alternatives, what are they basing their decis ion on? The messages from network television has been similarly alarming in its uniformity. Already on Tuesday, newscasters were not presenting democratic alternatives, but speculating about military targets. Is that the best that we can do as a nation, reach for our guns, striking out in anger rather than justice? If CNN starts an article with The questions are only when and where, isnt CNN is deliberately encouraging its audience not to ask other questions?