The over politicization of 9/11 and OBL

[Mutanatia]

Okay...
One of the things that I do not really like is how 9/11, OBL, etc. has become a political object. I obviously think Obama should take credit for it. But I do not think that it should become overpoliticized. The killing of OBL (As well as the tragedy of 9/11) was a universal event. 9/11 happened, and it effected most people in one way or the other: whether it's from the angle of being afraid of flying, mourning the friends of yours you lost on 9/11, having a family member who died on 9/11 (or anything other situation), the thing is: this is a universal event, and not an event that affected just Republicans or just Democrats (or Conservative and Liberal). In fact, 9/11 was an event that happened on a Republican president's watch, and the "closure" was was on a Democratic president's watch. As such, it really is universal. I don't know one (sane) person in the USA who was not relieved or felt justice had been served when OBL was killed. It really was the entire country proving to the world that we are not be screwed with.

That being said, I admire the steps Obama took to make it clear that OBL was on watch, and that Pakistan might more or less expect something to happen at some point on their soil, starting from his "broadcasting" this at the debate when he was running for President. I admire the way in which he carefully deliberated what the situation was, and ultimately chose to make the right decision.
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What I really do not like, though, is a certain Republican candidate's response to the question of "would you do it, Mitt Romney? Would you have given the order" to have been "even Carter would do it." Carter was the least successful President and inept at foreign policy. In the matter of the killing of OBL, Obama is no Carter. As such, Romney uses it almost as a devisive issue, to bring up Carter. I find this response to be rather ingratiating.

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My conclusion is this: Neither side has really expressed what OBL and 9/11 means to America as a whole. From Bush to Obama, each one used 9/11 (and Obama with OBL) for his own political gain. With Obama, his constant reminders are there to have us elect him again; with Bush, there was the Patriot Act. I do not like the idea of elections and controversial legislations carried out "in the name of" 9/11.

My question is this: What parts of 9/11 should be "political," and which parts should be universal and not be made political.

[Cerb]

None of it should be political but because one side is using it, the other is forced to make a response because they are asked the question.

I took the Jimmy Carter line as a reproof against the questioner, basically saying "Well, who wouldn't have taken the shot?".

Consider also that what we have here is a president who is taking the credit for something he had little involvement in. Sure he likely had the final say so but in essence the machine was already in operation and ready to go.

The pursuit of Osama started in 2001 and I believe Obama merely carried on the task that had been established during the Bush years. I wouldn't give Bush credit for it either.

Obama also continued the practice of killing in Pakistan which started again under Bush in 2004, so I think putting someone on notice for things that were already happening, and tacitly approved of by some Pakistaini military commanders, is nothing more than showboating.


Credit goes to the NSA, CIA, the helicopter pilots, and Navy SEALS

[Mutanatia]

Exactly. I think, if anything, he should be saying, "I made the decision as Commander in Chief to go for it and it worked because I had the right team of advisors and SEALs to do the job. Look at the type of leader I am." That's pretty much the only focus.

Yeah, I get your point on Romney. But Obama calls Romney a coward... and let's face it, for the most part Carter was a foreign policy coward. At any rate, both of them going at each other like that is childish.

[Cerb]

Maturity in US politics? Really?

Me thinks you set your sights too high.

I'm still extremely upset that Obama just spent a few billion dollars jaunting over to sign a document with a nation who probably like the US as much as the US likes Iran.
Absolute politics but he can stamp that one "Official Government Business" and not have to cough up the change.

Argh. I hate campaign year. I am sick and tired of the incumbent president blowing our hard earned cash on claiming they are the shit.

Notice I extend that to incumbent president, not just the present incumbent.

[Mutanatia]

I prefer France actually: 1) Campaign lasts only 4 months, 2) No political ads, 3) All candidates get equal air time (monitored by government agencies).

Thoughts?

[Cerb]

Sorry, I can't prefer France for anything. I'm originally from the UK.

The best thing about France is that you can drive through it on the way to somewhere else

[Koharu]

Honestly 9/11 and Osama Bin Ladin have been over politicized since the beginning. If Obama cant over politicize it than Nether should Bush or the Republicans... I am not sure if you guys were around from 2001-2008 but I can remember Kids wearing Bin Ladin "Dead or Alive" T-shirts, People saying we have to join the forces and kill Arabs because of 9/11, Juvenal Delinquents kicking a Muslim child's school books because of 9/11, Why Invade Iraq? 9/11 and Binladen!

It honestly pisses me off that some on the Right now have the audacity to shout at the left for "Over Politicizing" the two events because The Left has done what George Bush II couldn't do, and that was getting the guy who committed this horrid crime! It's all Politics!

Sorry Mr. Country Singer, but when you sing "Have you Forgotten" they have! because it wasn't a Republican who Killed Osama, it was a Liberal! The Same Liberals you called Terrorists because they wouldn't watch Jar head with you. and Over glorify the Military because you shouted us to "Support our Troops and Get Osama" You Invaded Iraq and Afghanistan, and Now you are being a hippy protester! You on the right sicken me.

For those on the left who feel its over politicized, I apologize again, because its sad that we were ignored when we said this in 2001, 2002. I did, and I was called a Terrorist! The Past effects the future and I am Proud of our efforts, Should we get out of the war? YES! we got Bin Laden, we finnished the job lets go home! Then the right starts shouting and we have to stay longer because they want to stay til 2024! This war makes me sick every time I think of it, and I was protesting in 2001. where were you all when the world stopped turning on that September day? I ask everyone who says the war was over politicized. I had to hear that for 11 years! and now the same country Joe is accusing Obama of overpolitisizeing his success! GIVE ME A BREAK!

Again I apologize for my rant. It is something that has sickened me since all those years ago.

I do apologize but it's an issue that sickens me to hear that Now, after 11 years people began to think it's being over politicized. It was when I was in Grade 7 and it has been ever since. Now that we got him, we criticize! This is sick to me.

[Mutanatia]

For the record, I am middle of the road and think Bush went too far, and I also think Obama's "victory lap" went way too far as well.

[Heraldic Alliance]

9/11 has become the "waving of the bloody shirt" of the 21st century. For those of you not aware of the reference: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waving_the_bloody_shirt

Even The Family Guy did an episode where Lois ran for mayor of her town and was able to get elected by using "9/11" as simple answer for totally non related questions such as pollution

However I must say that Obama does get the credit for the death of Bin Laden since he was the president at that moment. Just as W. Bush gets all the blame for Hurricane Katrina. If you are in the oval office at any epic moment you either get the credit or blame. It goes with the job.
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