Obama’s Initial Response to the September 11, 2001 Attacks, published in the Hyde Park Herald

Obama’s response to the event was published on September 19th in the Hyde Park Herald:

“Even as I hope for some measure of peace and comfort to the bereaved families, I must also hope that we as a nation draw some measure of wisdom from this tragedy. Certain immediate lessons are clear, and we must act upon those lessons decisively. We need to step up security at our airports. We must reexamine the effectiveness of our intelligence networks. And we must be resolute in identifying the perpetrators of these heinous acts and dismantling their organizations of destruction.

We must also engage, however, in the more difficult task of understanding the sources of such madness. The essence of this tragedy, it seems to me, derives from a fundamental absence of empathy on the part of the attackers: an inability to imagine, or connect with, the humanity and suffering of others. Such a failure of empathy, such numbness to the pain of a child or the desperation of a parent, is not innate; nor, history tells us, is it unique to a particular culture, religion, or ethnicity. It may find expression in a particular brand of violence, and may be channeled by particular demagogues or fanatics. Most often, though, it grows out of a climate of poverty and ignorance, helplessness and despair.

We will have to make sure, despite our rage, that any U.S. military action takes into account the lives of innocent civilians abroad. We will have to be unwavering in opposing bigotry or discrimination directed against neighbors and friends of Middle Eastern descent. Finally, we will have to devote far more attention to the monumental task of raising the hopes and prospects of embittered children across the globe—children not just in the Middle East, but also in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and within our own shores."

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/21/080721fa_fact_lizza?printable=true

Well worth the long read.

It's so critical...makes him seem completely heartless and casts everything in the most political light possible.

I saw some negativity, but overall I thought it was quite positive. I enjoyed reading it. But I very much admire Obama as a politician, as much as I admire him as a leader. Part of him is about winning and that's the part of him this story is about.

Those are great words, but will anyone see beyond that fucking cover? When I first saw it I was offended, then the evil part of me that detests Republicans thought it was funny, because really, this is a scathing jab at their collective dumbfuckery, which, ironically, they will never "get".

Well said, liberalmuse!

The cover is a perfect - a classic polemic.

It wasn't produced for the repuglican knuckle-draggers. It was produced about them.

Obama showed superior judgement in his response, just as he did when he spoke out against invading Iraq in October 2002.

Thanks for the post. I will make sure to read the entire article. I had also heard it was a hit piece. Thanks for clearing that up.

Perfect.

It took me roughly 2-3 months to break out of my emotional haze after 9/11 in order to come to the same conclusion. This man was born to be a leader.