BETWEEN THE LINES: The aftermath of Sept. 11
The 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America should give us cause to reflect on what has transpired since that tragic day. The first results of the horrific event were positive and united a country. The day after the disaster saw a unity of spirit our country has not seen since World War II.
Senators and representatives from both political parties joined hands in front of the Capitol in fervent prayer for our country. For a moment, God once again had been allowed to return to the public square.
Our first military engagement was to attack the Taliban, who are based in Afghanistan. Our military pursued the terrorists with vigor and determination. In a short time, our troops inflicted serious damage on these insurgents. The Bush Administration, given reports by the intelligence community which indicated the possession of weapons of mass destruction, then decided to declare war on Iraq and its sadistic leader, Saddam Hussein.
Although good intentions are better than bad ones, they do not necessarily guarantee the desired results. When these weapons of mass destruction failed to materialize after Hussein’s defeat, the United States was stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place, losing credibility in the Arab world.
The neo-conservatives who encouraged the war in Iraq proved to be as utopian in foreign policy as their liberal counterparts on social issues, giving proof to the age-old adage that the best-laid plans of mice and men often go astray.
A decade later, our troops remain engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan. The tab for our dubious presence now is in excess of $1 trillion and counting. The blame, however, does not solely rest on the shoulders of George W. Bush, for it was a Democratic-controlled Congress that gave him the votes necessary to move forward.
Another byproduct of the terrorist attack is the Homeland Security Administration, which guards our nation’s airports far better than our borders. Suddenly terrorists look like grandmothers while profiling is outlawed.
War always leads to more government and a reduction of our freedoms. When wars end, freedoms lost seldom return as the government continues to flex its newly acquired powers. However, it is the collateral damage that accompanies this crisis that results in the greatest tragedy.
Thousands of young men and women are dead and many more wounded. Families are torn apart. Others suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. The cost of these ancillary engagements is incalculable.
It is unfortunate our nation’s leaders failed to heed the warnings of President Dwight D. Eisenhower who, in his farewell address Jan. 17, 1961, warned Americans of the dangers of the military-industrial complex. This warning, coming from a career military man who served as the Allied commander in the European theater in World War II, should have drawn our attention. For those interested, his speech to the nation can be viewed on YouTube.
It is interesting to note that within a few years after Eisenhower’s warning, our political leaders saw fit to lead our nation into one of the most demoralizing and dividing conflicts we ever have experienced.
The Vietnam War is a tragic legacy that resulted in the death of more than 50,000 American soldiers. Let our political leaders never forget to view the long-term consequences of their actions when voting on future legislation, or presidents engaging in unconstitutional wars and calling it something else.
Laughlin is a Christian Libertarian. He is an economist, teacher, father, husband and most recently a grandfather. He has written a weekly column for The Tribune for 12 years. He and his wife Gina reside in Meadowlakes. To contact him, email ablaughlin@nctv.com. He is an independent columnist, not a staff member, and his views do not necessarily reflect those of The Tribune or its parent company.