Tuesday, August 31, 2004

9/11

Partisan Politics

I’ve been watching the Republican National Convention on the news; and while I have no real desire to turn this into some sort of simulblog experience, I was struck by the tribute to 9/11 that happened immediately following McCain’s speech.  It was moving.  One thing in particular - Deena Burnett said (I’m paraphrasing) that heroes were not created that day, but that the lifelong practice of virtue led to their actions - the decision to do something.  This is true. 

And we have seen over the last couple years a growing reluctance to remember the events of 9/11.  It is a virtue to look reality in the face.  Many have criticized the the Republicans for an expected focus on 9/11 at the convention, saying that it is almost sinful that the Republicans are draping themselves with the events of that terrible day for political gain.  But as I think on it, I am truly awestruck that the entire Democratic convention made so little reference to the single most important event of the last decade - and one of the most important in our history.

Naturally, there is political gain for the Republicans in reminding America of the events of that day.  And Democrats are naturally leery of bringing up a subject that will bring to mind images on the whole favorable to their opponents.  But this is completely beside the point.  If our elections are in part referendums on the direction our nation should take - and they should be - then discussions of 9/11 are not merely acceptable, but necessary.

But Kerry has made a thirty year old war the focus of his campaign and convention.  Talking about 9/11 focuses us on the realities of this world and its future.  Talk about Vietnam (from Kerry or his critics) not only tells us nothing about the future and Kerry’s plans for it, but actively distracts us from it.  Not talking about 9/11 creates an intentional delusion; one where we forget that we were brutally attacked without cause, forget that there is a real threat not eliminated by our many victories, and where we pretend that history has ended.

I think also that the controversy over Vietnam is strangely appropriate.  Given the way the Democratic primaries played out, and the protests - there is very much a sixties feel to the left side of this election.  The fact that a large part of Kerry’s support looks like they are attempting to channel the antiwar movement of the sixties makes it seem important to define where Kerry actually stands on the issues of that time.  But if Kerry is to make any headway and reverse his recent slide in the polls he will have to offer something more than four months of combat and saying that everything the president does is wrong. 


Posted by Buckethead on 08/31/04 at 02:44 AM
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