back street boy backs off

[Chris Kromm]

There is, of course, a lot of territory between saying the attacks had a
"cause," and saying they were "justified" -- a middle position which I have
seen many left commentators put forward expertly (for example, Fisk). To try
and muddle the distinction seems like an attempt to score political points,
nothing more.
CK

Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2001 17:27:57 -0400
From: "Nathan Newman" <nathan at newman.org

The media has been pretty bi-partisan is slamming down anyone who has tried
to "explain" or blame anyone for the Sept 11 attack.   Falwell got trashed
for blaming it on gays and liberals, Schundler running for governor in New
Jersey blamed military cutbacks for the failure to stop the attacks and was
slammed by everyone, including the sitting GOP governor.

I actually think this is healthy, since there is very little that "caused"
or could have prevented folks willing to prepare for years to use boxcutters
to take over airplanes, then kill themselves in using them as airborne
weapons.  Oh sure, folks will find some way to close this particular barn
now that the horse has gotten out, but there is no way to create a security
system with no holes that can never be exploited by those willing to kill
themselves using them.

If people would deal with this basic reality of vulnerability, we might be
able to back people off their kneejerk support for cutting back civil
liberties in the vain hope of absolute security.

- -- Nathan Newman