The 9/11 Choice

from the Friends Committee on National Legislation


Seven years ago today, the United States was the victim of a premeditated attack that killed more than 3,000 people. In the days following, as expressions of support and sympathy and offers to help poured in from around the world, our government faced a choice of how to respond.

In the grief and panic that gripped the nation after September 11, 2001, the U.S. faced a choice: seek immediate vengeance or build the foundations of strong and lasting peace. U.S. leaders chose retribution and preemptive violence. Today we see the results of that choice: more violent groups are planning attacks on the United States than before the attacks, support for the United States has fallen throughout the world, and here at home government policies are undermining fundamental constitutional principles in the name of national security. It is time to take a new approach to global security.

No one can know what would have happened after September 11 if the United States had instead embraced the international community's generous offers. Fortunately, there are still opportunities for this country to re-engage with the rest of the world, expand support for international institutions, and rebuild U.S. relations with the U.N. system. The next Congress and president have many fences to mend as they take re-examine U.S. international relations. One important step would be for the United States to pay its full share of dues to the United Nations.

Take Action

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper responding to its coverage of the September 11 anniversary. Urge candidates running for Congress in your community to commit to supporting policies that abandon the unilateral, go-it-alone strategies of the last seven years and re-engage with the rest of the world. The United States could signal the beginning of this new policy by agreeing to repay the nearly $2 billion in back dues that it owes to the United Nations.

Find Out More

FCNL's Col. Dan Smith (USA, Ret.) reflects on the September 11 anniversary.