Jack Hunter: Did the terrorists win on 9/11?

Did the Terrorists Win on 9/11?

Posted on September 10th, 2010 by Jack Hunter


As we approach the ninth anniversary of 9/11, everyone is fixated on some idiot who plans to burn the Koran. Many are pleading with him not to do it, yet he still insists. If he doesn’t do it, the “terrorists win,” you see. But the terrorists have already won. That this man even wants to burn the Koran is actually part of that triumph, and that we are all talking about it is simply the latest chapter in their victory.


Many believe America changed after 9/11. It did. A ragtag band of terrorists successfully drew the most powerful military in the world into countries that barely had militaries, where we invented or deepened conflicts that should have never been conflicts, the benefit of which went mostly to al-Qaeda, as that outfit now possesses the greatest recruitment tool imaginable–the flailing foreign policy of a belligerent American empire.



If we’re honest, since day one, the War on Terror has actually been a war for it–with the decade-long occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq creating a net result of record high anti-American sentiment, far worse than it was before 9/11–which is the reason there even was a 9/11. The irony is as thick as it is tragic. Today, this president show no signs or intention of wanting to correct, or simply stop making, the mistakes of the last one, and radical Islamists and neoconservatives alike continue to salivate over the possibility of new conflicts.


And this is just overseas. Here at home,19 hijackers scared a nation of 300 million people into supporting not only endless and fruitless wars, but security measures and government expansion without precedent in their size, expense, and absurdity. The 9/11 terrorists wanted to induce fear, and they did–beyond their wildest dreams. Writes CNN’s Fareed Zakaria for Newsweek:

I do not minimize Al Qaeda’s intentions, which are barbaric. I question its capabilities. In every recent conflict, the United States has been right about the evil intentions of its adversaries but massively exaggerated their strength. In the 1980s, we thought the Soviet Union was expanding its power and influence when it was on the verge of economic and political bankruptcy. In the 1990s, we were certain that Saddam Hussein had a nuclear arsenal. In fact, his factories could barely make soap… . Nine years after 9/11, can anyone doubt that Al Qaeda is simply not that deadly a threat? Since that gruesome day in 2001, once governments everywhere began serious countermeasures, Osama bin Laden’s terror network has been unable to launch a single major attack on high-value targets in the United States and Europe. While it has inspired a few much smaller attacks by local jihadis, it has been unable to execute a single one itself. Today, Al Qaeda’s best hope is to find a troubled young man who has been radicalized over the Internet, and teach him to stuff his underwear with explosives.

Author Bruce Fein has made the case that if the United States took the troop-to-enemy ratio currently in the Middle East and applied it to World War II, America would have stationed three billion soldiers in Europe alone, ten times the size of the current U.S. population. Fein also points out that even though there are about 14,000 murders annually in the U.S., the very thought of an increased police state to address this is anathema to most Americans–yet there is a bipartisan consensus on the need for a national-security state, massively overblown to address a massively exaggerated threat. Writes Zakaria:

Since September 11, 2001, the U.S. government has created or reconfigured at least 263 organizations to tackle some aspect of the war on terror. The amount of money spent on intelligence has risen by 250 percent, to $75 billion (and that’s the public number, which is a gross underestimate). That’s more than the rest of the world spends put together. Thirty-three new building complexes have been built for intelligence bureaucracies alone, occupying 17 million square feet-the equivalent of 22 U.S. Capitols or three Pentagons. Five miles southeast of the White House, the largest government site in 50 years is being built-at a cost of $3.4 billion-to house the largest bureaucracy after the Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs: the Department of Homeland Security, which has a workforce of 230,000 people.

This is insane, and yet to say so is the quickest way to prove your own insanity. Defenders of the last president love to claim that “Bush kept us safe.” No, he kept us stupid.


And Obama is no different. After 9/11, most Americans and indeed the entire world understood the logic of going into Afghanistan, but a decade later, no one understands the reason we are still there, what it has to do with fighting terrorism, what we were ever doing in Iraq, and how either war could possibly prevent another attack. The only reason an American would even think to burn a Koran and the media would think to cover it–and we all would have to worry about it–is because the U.S. has now militarily engaged the Arab world to a degree every bit as extreme as what the 9/11 hijackers hoped they might provoke. The War on Terror is by definition a war without end, and we now seem to have permanently institutionalized it, both domestically and abroad, with literally no end in sight.


On this ninth anniversary of 9/11, ask this: Where else in history have so few men accomplished so much? And where else in history has a nation so powerful, so quickly become its own worst enemy–all in the name of exacting revenge against so few men?

There was and is magnificent, awesome beauty as well as horror in the WTC attack.

Talk about "force multiplication"! :lol

The Repug/neo-c*nts badasses thought they were gonna go kick some ass, and 9 years later, the USA is staring right into the eyes of defeat, a totally botched, wasted effort.

OBL said he knew he would have only one chance to strike, since America would be awakened and its bureaucratic, ass-kissing, career-padding, butt-in-warm-chair NatSec apparatus might actually start doing its job. check!

OBL said he also expected to draw the Americans into foreign lands where they'd be chopped up, like he would never be able to do on US soil. check!

OBL is fucking brilliant. And who did the US have as his opposite? dubya! :lol :lol :lol

^^^gives you lolz, me indigestion.

No. They won on 9/12.

They certainly beat the Dutch.

I think after Russia was kicked out of Afghanistan, that gave the bad guys a lot of confidence and a blueprint on how to level the playing field when fighting against behemoth military powers. Furthermore, they needed war in order to keep the status quo. I don't think it's coincidental that the Embassy attacks happened about the time Russia started to withdraw their troops. The USS Cole attack was the second 'bait', IMO. After 9/11 they certainly got their wish.

If their objective was to instill fear and drive a country to near paranoia, then I think you can safely say they've succeeded. If the final goal is to make the empire crumble, then they've certainly put us on that path, as the article wisely points out.

Holy shit, that piece made me hate OBL and all those assholes even more. They punched us in the face and we chased them into a fucking ditch we haven't been able to get out of.

It also reminds me of that poem someone posted about "revenge is not enough." Still, I wouldn't mind pulling the switch on OBL and crew for bringing out the worst in this country.

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Originally Posted by boutons_deux

There was and is magnificent, awesome beauty as well as horror in the WTC attack.

Talk about "force multiplication"! :lol

The Repug/neo-c*nts badasses thought they were gonna go kick some ass, and 9 years later, the USA is staring right into the eyes of defeat, a totally botched, wasted effort.

OBL said he knew he would have only one chance to strike, since America would be awakened and its bureaucratic, ass-kissing, career-padding, butt-in-warm-chair NatSec apparatus might actually start doing its job. check!

OBL said he also expected to draw the Americans into foreign lands where they'd be chopped up, like he would never be able to do on US soil. check!

OBL is fucking brilliant. And who did the US have as his opposite? dubya! :lol :lol :lol

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Everyday you prove to everyone through your profanity laced, butthurt posts, that you are indeed an awful person.

Js, gfy

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Originally Posted by boutons_deux

Js, gfy

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Um, I am going to have to agree with JS. :lol =/= correct response. I do, however, agree with the article. I have recently been thinking about 9/11 and think that it may as well be a holiday on par with July 4th, or even replacing July 4th. It was the day that USA II was born of its predecessor USA. :depressed = correct response.

I think the terrorist did win…Judging by the people who post here al-Qaeda is the #1 victim group in the U.S.A.....Boo-Hoo...George Bush does not understand us...We have rights, we are being discriminated against just because we like to fly air-planes into buildings…. :bang

Let's see....

They destroyed a major landmark and killed thousands of our civilians.

They caused our country to go into a fear spiral that has allowed Fox News to claim the top news ratings by basically broadcasting a message of, "Be scared all the time."

Then our government reacted by creating the Patriot Act, one of the most horrifically mis-named laws of all time. Now if you don't answer a question at an airport, or you're trying to take more than a 16 oz. of water on a plane with you, you're a potential terrorist.

We spent trillions of dollars of our people's hard earned money chasing them into caves and attacking a country that had very little/nothing to do with the actual terrorism.

They are probably now stronger than ever due to publicity and anti-US sentiment as a result of unfounded wars and belligerence across the globe.

Gee, I dunno... did they win? It's a tough call.

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Originally Posted by CavsSuperFan

I think the terrorist did win…Judging by the people who post here al-Qaeda is the #1 victim group in the U.S.A.....Boo-Hoo...George Bush does not understand us...We have rights, we are being discriminated against just because we like to fly air-planes into buildings…. :bang

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Quote:

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Those who feel like they can intimidate our fellow citizens to take out their anger don't represent the best of America; they represent the worst of humankind, and they should be ashamed of that kind of behavior," Bush said.

The president reiterated his firm commitment to protecting the constitutional rights and honoring the important role of the Muslim community in the United States.

In no uncertain terms, Bush said: "The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That's not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace. These terrorists don't represent peace. They represent evil and war."

America, he said, "counts millions of Muslims amongst our citizens, and Muslims make an incredibly valuable contribution to our country. Muslims are doctors, lawyers, law professors, members of the military, entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, moms and dads."

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Actually Bush realized we that we aren't at war with a religion.....

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Originally Posted by George Gervin's Afro

Actually Bush realized we that we aren't at war with a religion.....

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No. We're at war with Iraq. I mean, Al-Queda. I mean, oil. :bang

I've argued for several years around here that the willingness to erode civil liberties in the hope of preventing terror attacks was the manifestation of the terrorists accomplishing at least one of their goals. If they hated our freedom, we damned sure were willing to cede it in the name of preventing any further attack. That these measures are now ingrained both culturally and legislatively will be a lasting legacy of 9/11/01.

The surest way to thumb our noses at them was to carry on as we were on 9/10/01; we, instead, chose to increase the power of government and its power to intrude into our lives. I realize that there are some who weren't saddened by the functional rollback of some of those protections, but for anyone who fancies himself or herself a civil libertarian, it has to be saddening to know that the cost of security has been an erosion of freedom or at least our willingness to stand up for the virtues of freedom when they are imperiled.

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Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown

I've argued for several years around here that the willingness to erode civil liberties in the hope of preventing terror attacks was the manifestation of the terrorists accomplishing at least one of their goals. If they hated our freedom, we damned sure were willing to cede it in the name of preventing any further attack. That these measures are now ingrained both culturally and legislatively will be a lasting legacy of 9/11/01.

The surest way to thumb our noses at them was to carry on as we were on 9/10/01; we, instead, chose to increase the power of government and its power to intrude into our lives. I realize that there are some who weren't saddened by the functional rollback of some of those protections, but for anyone who fancies himself or herself a civil libertarian, it has to be saddening to know that the cost of security has been an erosion of freedom or at least our willingness to stand up for the virtues of freedom when they are imperiled.

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Especially when such measures are more aimed at providing a sense of security rather than actually being able to prevent further terrorism.

The progressive’s ideology on protecting the U.S.A. from al-Qaeda…

http://www.slycraft.com/surrender-5.jpg

Repugs' ideology of protecting USA:

"we'll allow an attack, then lie that it was Iraq so we can invade Iraq for oil"

"We" didnt allow anything, cowards and politicians used 9/11 as an excuse for the expansion of power, war and control.

Ive yet to meet a person IRL who agrees with everything the government has done before or since 9/11 regarding terrorism.

Increased airport security? Sure, I agree with that.

But thats really it, everything else is bullshit fear-mongering used to fund pork projects for rural politicians to parade around come campaign time as a means to be elected.

That enough of the voting population buys this shit tells me most of the people surrounding me on the highways and roads dont really deserve my compassion or concern. Them leaving the road at high speed and ending in a raging inferno is a score for my team as they were a only a worthless, scared coward hiding behind a perverted patriotism skewed by the think-tanks of subversive media manipulation.

Its like an incurable infection this....irrational terrorist fear that plagues the typical ignorant American. The less there are, the better for the rest of us. I dont see too many young people espousing fear, so maybe there is hope. But I do know that old-timers are literally in fear and vote accordingly.

They wont live forever....good riddance.

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Originally Posted by CavsSuperFan

I think the terrorist did win…Judging by the people who post here al-Qaeda is the #1 victim group in the U.S.A.....Boo-Hoo...George Bush does not understand us...We have rights, we are being discriminated against just because we like to fly air-planes into buildings…. :bang

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Do you actively try to be this stupid?

Because you are succeeding.

When a progressive has no answers they turn to insults, name calling & lies….

You really are a chump....:rollin :lol :rollin

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Originally Posted by CavsSuperFan

When a progressive has no answers they turn to insults, name calling & lies….

You really are a chump....:rollin :lol :rollin

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What was your question?

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Originally Posted by CavsSuperFan

The progressive’s ideology on protecting the U.S.A. from al-Qaeda…

http://www.slycraft.com/surrender-5.jpg

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You're awesome at the strawman game. b

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Originally Posted by MannyIsGod

You're awesome at the strawman game.

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No, it was a question!

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Originally Posted by DarkReign

"We" didnt allow anything, cowards and politicians used 9/11 as an excuse for the expansion of power, war and control.

Ive yet to meet a person IRL who agrees with everything the government has done before or since 9/11 regarding terrorism.

Increased airport security? Sure, I agree with that.

But thats really it, everything else is bullshit fear-mongering used to fund pork projects for rural politicians to parade around come campaign time as a means to be elected.

That enough of the voting population buys this shit tells me most of the people surrounding me on the highways and roads dont really deserve my compassion or concern. Them leaving the road at high speed and ending in a raging inferno is a score for my team as they were a only a worthless, scared coward hiding behind a perverted patriotism skewed by the think-tanks of subversive media manipulation.

Its like an incurable infection this....irrational terrorist fear that plagues the typical ignorant American. The less there are, the better for the rest of us. I dont see too many young people espousing fear, so maybe there is hope. But I do know that old-timers are literally in fear and vote accordingly.

They wont live forever....good riddance.

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Disagreement while people stand around and let these things happen might as well be agreement.

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Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown

I've argued for several years around here that the willingness to erode civil liberties in the hope of preventing terror attacks was the manifestation of the terrorists accomplishing at least one of their goals. If they hated our freedom, we damned sure were willing to cede it in the name of preventing any further attack. That these measures are now ingrained both culturally and legislatively will be a lasting legacy of 9/11/01.

The surest way to thumb our noses at them was to carry on as we were on 9/10/01; we, instead, chose to increase the power of government and its power to intrude into our lives. I realize that there are some who weren't saddened by the functional rollback of some of those protections, but for anyone who fancies himself or herself a civil libertarian, it has to be saddening to know that the cost of security has been an erosion of freedom or at least our willingness to stand up for the virtues of freedom when they are imperiled.

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Was there an option? I can't recall any politician of any party speaking against the measures taken. I guess the political strawman of being labeled 'soft on terror' trumped the actual noble cause of standing up for our freedoms.

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Originally Posted by ElNono

Was there an option? I can't recall any politician of any party speaking against the measures taken. I guess the political strawman of being labeled 'soft on terror' trumped the actual noble cause of standing up for our freedoms.

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Russ Feingold spoke up against it. Coincidentally, there's a moneybomb going on for him today.

"actual noble cause of standing up for our freedoms."

what bullshit.

We've lost many more "freedoms" from the bogus war on terror than OBL could have ever dreamed of removing.

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Originally Posted by LnGrrrR

Russ Feingold spoke up against it. Coincidentally, there's a moneybomb going on for him today.

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I forgot about him, thanks. Basically, the single exception to the rule.

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Originally Posted by boutons_deux

"actual noble cause of standing up for our freedoms."

what bullshit.

We've lost many more "freedoms" from the bogus war on terror than OBL could have ever dreamed of removing.

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Right, that was indeed my point.

The same forces that got us into Iraq and Afghanistan are keeping us there today....I'm amazed at how even the most modest Obama doubter thinks that Obama can just decide to end the wars and bring the troops home immediately without there being a huge political price to pay...

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Originally Posted by Nbadan

The same forces that got us into Iraq and Afghanistan are keeping us there today....I'm amazed at how even the most modest Obama doubter thinks that Obama can just decide to end the wars and bring the troops home immediately without there being a huge political price to pay...

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thermite

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Originally Posted by DarrinS

thermite

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Muslim

American Empire

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Originally Posted by MannyIsGod

Disagreement while people stand around and let these things happen might as well be agreement.

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Fair point.