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"HOW AMERICA'S RESPONSE TO 9/11 WOULD'VE BEEN DIFFERENT IF THE PRESIDENT HAD PRACTICED KINGIAN NONVIOLENCE"
TOPIC: September 11th
Written by: Manny Lionface
September 5, 2017
On September 11, 2001, America was attacked by Al Qaeda and about 3000 innocent Americans were killed. It was one of the most tragic days in our country's history. Although many people came together and love for people we didn't even know increased after the tragedy, many others had revenge and the need for a military answer on their minds. On October 7, President George W. Bush announced that American soldiers would begin fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. The Taliban didn't attack us, but they had allowed Al Qaeda, the people who did attack us, to stay and train in their country. We also thought the leader of Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, might be in Afghanistan as well.
During that announcement, President Bush, "vowed to continue to take what he called the 'war on terror' to those countries that sponsored, harbored or trained terrorists" (History.com). This response was popular at the time with more than 40 other countries supporting the U.S. because they knew that we'd been attacked in such an awful way. 16 years later, this "war on terror" continues and the world is not any safer. Later, President Bush would bring American into war with Iraq, who was not connected to 9/11, but he and his team insisted that they were a threat to us. Very few important countries supported us this time.
In a response to the brutal killing of 2,996 Americans on 9/11, more than 1.3 million people have been killed due to American military involvement around the world (Commondreams.org). If Martin Luther King Jr. were around today, he would be very critical of the War on Terror because it was not born out of love but rather revenge and wanting to look strong. America answered a bully by bullying back. This is the opposite of what Kingian Nonviolence preaches. Unfortunately, this hateful reaction has led to the direct death of over 1 million people, in addition to lives that have been indirectly ruined as terrorism continues to spread into areas like Europe and countries like Syria are torn apart by Civil War. We can't hit the reset button but I've taken George W. Bush's speech (below) and rewritten it in the spirit of Kingian Nonviolence. If he'd made this speech instead, who knows how different the world would look today:
During that announcement, President Bush, "vowed to continue to take what he called the 'war on terror' to those countries that sponsored, harbored or trained terrorists" (History.com). This response was popular at the time with more than 40 other countries supporting the U.S. because they knew that we'd been attacked in such an awful way. 16 years later, this "war on terror" continues and the world is not any safer. Later, President Bush would bring American into war with Iraq, who was not connected to 9/11, but he and his team insisted that they were a threat to us. Very few important countries supported us this time.
In a response to the brutal killing of 2,996 Americans on 9/11, more than 1.3 million people have been killed due to American military involvement around the world (Commondreams.org). If Martin Luther King Jr. were around today, he would be very critical of the War on Terror because it was not born out of love but rather revenge and wanting to look strong. America answered a bully by bullying back. This is the opposite of what Kingian Nonviolence preaches. Unfortunately, this hateful reaction has led to the direct death of over 1 million people, in addition to lives that have been indirectly ruined as terrorism continues to spread into areas like Europe and countries like Syria are torn apart by Civil War. We can't hit the reset button but I've taken George W. Bush's speech (below) and rewritten it in the spirit of Kingian Nonviolence. If he'd made this speech instead, who knows how different the world would look today:
The following is the transcript of President Bush's address following strikes against military installations and communication centers in Afghanistan.
BUSH: On my orders, the United States military has begun strikes against Al Qaeda terrorist training camps and military installations of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. These carefully targeted actions are designed to disrupt the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist base of operations and to attack the military capability of the Taliban regime. We are joined in this operation by our staunch friend, Great Britain. Other close friends, including Canada, Australia, Germany and France, have pledged forces as the operation unfolds. More than 40 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and across Asia have granted air transit or landing rights. Many more have shared intelligence. We are supported by the collective will of the world. More than two weeks ago, I gave Taliban leaders a series of clear and specific demands: Close terrorist training camps. Hand over leaders of the Al Qaeda network, and return all foreign nationals, including American citizens unjustly detained in our country. None of these demands were met. And now, the Taliban will pay a price. By destroying camps and disrupting communications, we will make it more difficult for the terror network to train new recruits and coordinate their evil plans. Initially the terrorists may burrow deeper into caves and other entrenched hiding places. Our military action is also designed to clear the way for sustained, comprehensive and relentless operations to drive them out and bring them to justice. At the same time, the oppressed people of Afghanistan will know the generosity of America and our allies. As we strike military targets, we will also drop food, medicine and supplies to the starving and suffering men and women and children of Afghanistan. The United States of America is a friend to the Afghan people, and we are the friends of almost a billion worldwide who practice the Islamic faith. The United States of America is an enemy of those who aid terrorists and of the barbaric criminals who profane a great religion by committing murder in its name. This military action is a part of our campaign against terrorism, another front in a war that has already been joined through diplomacy, intelligence, the freezing of financial assets and the arrests of known terrorists by law enforcement agents in 38 countries. Given the nature and reach of our enemies, we will win this conflict by the patient accumulation of successes, by meeting a series of challenges with determination and will and purpose. Today we focus on Afghanistan, but the battle is broader. Every nation has a choice to make. In this conflict, there is no neutral ground. If any government sponsors the outlaws and killers of innocence, they have become outlaws and murderers themselves. And they will take that lonely path at their own peril. I'm speaking to you today from the Treaty Room of the White House, a place where American presidents have worked for peace. We're a peaceful nation. Yet, as we have learned, so suddenly and so tragically, there can be no peace in a world of sudden terror. In the face of today's new threat, the only way to pursue peace is to pursue those who threaten it. |
The following is the transcript of President Bush's address edited with themes of love and Kingian Nonviolence.
BUSH: On my orders, the United States is going to respond to the attack by Al Qaeda terrorists. We are first going to slow down and try to put ourselves in their shoes. We want to better understand why these people became terrorists and why the Taliban would support them. Our staunch friend, Great Britain is going to help us gather this information. Other close friends, including Canada, Australia, Germany and France, have also pledged to help us understand why these people would act in such a way. It is also important that we gather information from our opponent as well. More than 40 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and across Asia have agreed to share intelligence with us and we are thankful for the support of the world. More than two weeks ago, I asked Taliban leaders to provide me with their truths/ their side of the story. They weren't the bullies that attacked us, but they were bystanders that allowed that bully to gain power and authority. If we can gather their side of the story, we can better understand what steps we can take to avoid anything like this ever happening again. They may not be comfortable sharing their thoughts right away. It is important for us to remember that this does not mean that they are guilty or have something to hide. Our goal is reconciliation and unfortunately that can take some time and effort to reach. The people of Afghanistan are not bad people. In fact, the people who attacked us are not bad people either; their actions were extremely harmful, but hate will not help us understand them any better. We should try to help and understand all people involved in this unfortunate situation. The United States is a friend of the Afghan people, and we are the friends of all people in the world regardless of their religion or beliefs. The United States of America is a country of love for all of our brothers and sisters around the planet and we acknowledge that the first step to healing is often forgiveness. These actions are a part of our campaign to show the world that hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. We want to be a model for the rest of the world of how to address a bully. We will work tirelessly to find common ground so we can better understand the opinion of our opponent. We will succeed by showing Al Qaeda that we have much in common. By focusing on their reasons for these upsetting actions we can best validate their own truth. Without doing so we will never see eye-to-eye and we will never solve our conflict. Today we focus on Afghanistan, and if we successfully spread our ideas of peace and love we will provide a path for others to take to ultimately avoid the spread of hate and violence. I'm speaking to you today from the Treaty Room of the White House, a place where some American presidents have taken steps toward peace. This is an opportunity for us to take a major step. We're a peaceful nation. Yet, as we have learned, so suddenly and so tragically, our values of love and peace can be challenged by violence. In the face of today's new threat, the only way to pursue peace is to dedicate ourselves to understanding and loving those who threaten us. |