A Simple Question

It's amazing how sometimes a seemingly simple question can stump people and, at the same time, trigger a great deal of emotional debate. At a White House press briefing the other day, the senior member of the press corps, Helen Thomas, asked why it is Al Qaeda is attacking the United States. This question brought back memories of nearly nine and a half years ago when the 9/11 attacks occurred and this simple inquiry was first raised. Among certain elements of the country and, at the time, the federal government this question was met with outrage and charges of treason. The mere attempt to get inside the head of our enemies and try and better understand things from their perspective was akin to denouncing the United States itself and declaring one's support for the terrorists. Fortunately, not everyone felt that way. But, unfortunately, many who did seemed to be part of the Bush administration and the right wing element of the Republican party that remains quite vocal and visible to this day. Those people between 2001 - 2008 seemed to have the biggest megaphones. Thus, those who did try to shed a better light on that terrible day had trouble being heard.

"They hate our way of life" was President Bush's stab at that question back in the fall of 2001. As it was and is with so much of what that man says, that comment fell way short for me. Nevertheless, that so-called explanation had to suffice as our country's official answer. Now, fast-forward to January, 2010, and Ms. Thomas. Thankfully, this iron lady is still practicing her trade and has not forgotten the relevance of this simple question. This time around White House officials did attempt a more thoughtful response. They talked of Al Qaeda's commitment to violence and chaos - typical attributes of any terrorist group. While that may not be the total answer, at least our government, with its new lead players, seems to be giving it more thought.

But going back to the Bush years for a moment, I do not think it is a coincidence that one reason our nation struggled as much as it did during that time in its battle against the terrorists is because of its unwillingness or inability to produce a straight answer to that simple question. Our nation's actions were chaotic and erratic for far too long. Maybe - just maybe - it was because we did not have a strong understanding of where the enemy was coming from. That understanding could have helped serve as a compass for us. As it was, the only compass we followed seemed to be President Bush's "gut" or instincts. Tragically, that proved highly inadequate. Let's hope our government's current answers to that simple question indicate a better sense of direction in this ongoing struggle.