[Dialogue] Why 9/11?

[Don Hinkelman]

On the radio today, a memorial message was read about the 9/11 attack  
on the World Trade Towers and the numbers of people who died.

I am still surprised that asking why the attack happened is a taboo  
topic of analysis and discussion.  I hope it is not a taboo topic on  
this list.

In my Japanese-colored-glasses view of the event, I see several things  
happening...
- war is no longer state-to-state with a formal declaration and codes  
of conduct
- cultures, groups or networks with little sovereign authority, or  
those that feel helpless can use suicide as a form of protest or war
- the America government lost the moral high ground of not killing  
civilians by dropping nuclear bombs on two cities in 1945.  No apology  
and little self-reflection has been given.
- the American government continues to kill civilians in wars (at a  
lower rate than the Germans in WWII) but justifies this as an  
unavoidable necessity of war
- isolated, single world-view schools (in Pakistan and elsewhere-- 
USA?) provide many young people willing to give their lives in war

I suspect these conditions will lead to more episodes like 9/11.  I  
also think it is important to avoid name-calling and stereotyped  
expressions in a discussion (ie: "terrorists", "nazis").  That  
contributes to misunderstanding and non-acceptance.

With respects,
Don Hinkelman
Sapporo, Japan