I still think about what happened on 9/11 with some level of disbelief, even after 8 years. I try to think about how Americans, especially New Yorkers must have felt that day and I am filled with awe and sadness – awe because of the strength of character New Yorkers showed during and after the event with rescue and community relief efforts, and sadness because of what the terrorists managed to achieve on that day.
Even with America’s dark history, I have always admired her ability to always reshape herself – the expression “cultural melting pot” does not go far enough to describe the uniqueness of America and New York was a clear symbol of this. Diverse, independent, hopeful and free (the shining city on a hill).
While most have rightly interpreted the attacks as an act of war, a dawning of a new borderless warfare against a faceless enemy – it was also an attack on the idea of America itself, the idea which brings hundreds of immigrants to the USA looking for a better life. By attacking America in this way, the terrorists wanted to the country to mutate into a fearful, paranoid and culturally rejective country that is willing to break all of its laws and disregard its own value to in-act revenge for what happened on that September day.
This is why I have some sympathy for George W Bush, going to war without a clear strategy and without a clear understanding the challenge of engaging in this new type of warfare. I believe that Mr Bush’s reactions post 9/11 where not all an act of extremist Neo-Conservative politicking, I believe they where actions of an extremely angry, fearful and confused President leading an equally angry, fearful and confused country.
This is why I believe the Obama’s administration’s decision to try the 9/11 a terrorist in New York City, especially Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is the right one.
Yes, it might not be necessary as this was an act of war, by non US citizens which would make this a matter for the Military Court – but showing the world that even after this evil act of mass murder America’s values and its brand of justice are still alive and well (and this message being delivered by some bloke named Barack Hussain Obama) would be as powerful of a response as (maybe more effective than) going to war.
Yes it will be a circus and yes it will give KSM the opportunity to air his brand of propaganda – but so what? In America everyone is given a fair trial, that’s what makes the country so unique, that’s why essentially the US was attacked. He committed a crime against the New York Citizens so I believe it’s only right that he is judged by New Yorkers.
Either way what the administration is deciding to do is extremely brave (political suicide as well). I understand why people are flabbergasted, angry and upset about this decision. Maybe Holder and Obama are gambling that this trial and hopefully the sentencing of the terrorists will finally exorcise the country’s demons and finally bring the justice and closure that New Yorkers have been looking for.
Just a normal everyday bloke writing about films.