
September 11, Five Years Later
Host:
September 11 produced a sense of American unity--but it lasted less than a year. Should the Bush Administration get the blame for failing to rouse the country for the war on terror? Should it get the credit because America has not been attacked again within its own boundaries? Also, President Bush says he's never authorized torture, but CIA agents are signing up for insurance in case they’re accused of human rights violations.
Making News
New Yorkers Remember 9/11 ()
President Bush will make a prime-time speech to recognize the fifth anniversary of September 11. In the meantime, he's making the grim journey from New York City to Shanksville, Pennsylvania to the Pentagon. He visited Ground Zero last night as well as today.
Guests:
- Sarah Ferguson: Reporter, Village Voice
Links:
Main Topic
September 11, Five Years Later ()
The attack on Pearl Harbor unified an American generation that went on to win World War II. Their descendents still share the memories today. It would not be until September 11, 2001 that the United States would again be so dramatically attacked within its own borders. Just as they had 60 years before, Americans felt a deep sense of unity. This time, however, that feeling lasted for less than a year. Has President Bush failed to ask for the sacrifices demanded for the continuing war on terror, or have Americans been lulled into complacency because the administration has prevented another attack on US soil? Where the rest of the world is concerned, had the really important changes already happened?
Guests:
- Robert Putnam: Professor of Public Policy, Harvard University
- Rich Lowry: Editor, National Review, @RichLowry
- Stephen Flynn: Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
- William Dobson: Managing Editor, Foreign Policy magazine
- Guillaume Parmentier: Director of the French Center on the US, French Institute of International Relations
Links:
- Remembering September 11, the White House on
- President Bush visits Ground Zero
- USA Patriot Act of 2001
- Europe on Bush Administration, Pew Research Survey on (August 2001)
- Lowry's column on the lack of more terror events since 9/11
- Council on Foreign Relations on whether US is winning the war on terror
Reporter's Notebook
Anxious CIA Officers Buy Insurance in Case They're Sued ()
President Bush, who insists the US has never authorized torture to make suspects reveal what they know about the war on terror, is still negotiation with Congress over rules for military tribunals to such suspects. But last week he said that "an alternative set of procedures" has been effective, which has some CIA agents signing up for special insurance--in case their sued or charged with criminal wrong doing.
Guests:
- R. Jeffrey Smith: National Investigative Correspondent, Washington Post
Links:
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