A Quarter Century of Pain
After 9/11, the U.S. government was over-focused on fighting terrorism, losing sight of other threats. Americans are still living with the consequences.
TL;DR
- The author experienced rage and dread on 9/11, wanting retribution against those responsible.
- After the initial shock, many Americans and their government panicked, institutionalizing this fear.
- The US spent trillions, passed strict laws, created new agencies, militarized law enforcement, and launched military campaigns in response to 9/11.
- Everything became viewed through the lens of terrorism, pushing aside other global problems.
- The author admits to being caught up in the emotions and intellectual detours of the time, believing the world had changed forever, but now believes this was wrong.
- Initially, US leaders wisely vowed to bring terrorists to justice, as exemplified by President George W. Bush's speech.
- The author observed the world's anxious anticipation of US strikes in Afghanistan and noted a different reaction in Moscow, where a colleague expressed understanding due to Russia's own experiences with terrorism.
- The author witnessed profiling by Moscow police and, while finding it unappealing, made excuses for them given Russia's history and the ongoing situation at Ground Zero.