Peter,

Although I must admit to feeling hawkish (as Freud said, Man is a wolf to man), your suggestion brings up some ideas. We must first admit to having failed our citizens with basic protection, and second, communicate the ways we are failing in our current rhetoric.

First, Recognize that Failure is: 1. The most powerful influence in effective reasoning 2. The most powerful ingredient in great success 3. The result of a willingness to step up and be measured against a higher standard 4. A test of passion 5. The only basis for verifying ability 6. The only basis for deciding what not to do 7. The underlying value in testing assumptions and trusting people 8. The underlying value in risk, innovation and creativity 9. The most inalienable human right 10. The basis for economic freedom

In a war of attrition, there is not room for failure, because failure would be too big. Could we be saying goodbye to American economic freedom (#10) if we cannot allow failure, and if we can only “fix” failure by hiding it in military retribution? If so, the bad guys win.

Second, How are we failing, and the enemy winning, so far? - We’re declaring Osama bin Laden a credible leader for the second time (which is more than he could ask for…our endorsement) - We’re uniting the Islamic world against the U.S. Arabs in this country will suffer, and so, privately sympathize with the enemy (which is more than he could ask for in a recruiting poster) - Our laxness in security, once again, allowed the tragedy (which was a gift to the enemy, and now our internal focus will divert resources and attention, like the National Guard, to the job of controlling the innocent) - Our undying support of Israel is, implicitly/quietly, seen as justification of Arab reproach (We are not addressing the white elephant in the room, which will prevent constructive communication with our tepid, Arab allies). Our friends, the Jews, will no doubt welcome us as we join the fight, which eliminates us as an objective mediator in their conflict (And there is no one else! A huge victory for the enemy, not Israel), and insures the “long fight” promised by the President. - Bush’s popularity rating is over 80%. Why would America’s suffering define his performance? (It is a call for the predictable irrationality of bureaucracy. That will not only bolster the enemy, but support the cause for later retribution)

Apologies for the length.

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