What we have lost

Zakaria: Why America Overreacted to 9/11 - Newsweek by Fareed ZakariaSeptember 04, 2010 What America Has Lost
It?s clear we overreacted to 9/11. Nine years after 9/11, can anyone doubt that Al Qaeda is simply not that deadly a threat? Since that gruesome day in 2001, once governments everywhere began serious countermeasures, Osama bin Laden?s terror network has been unable to launch a single major attack on high-value targets in the United States and Europe. While it has inspired a few much smaller attacks by local jihadis, it has been unable to execute a single one itself. Today, Al Qaeda?s best hope is to find a troubled young man who has been radicalized over the Internet, and teach him to stuff his underwear with explosives.

I do not minimize Al Qaeda?s intentions, which are barbaric. I question its capabilities. In every recent conflict, the United States has been right about the evil intentions of its adversaries but massively exaggerated their strength. In the 1980s, we thought the Soviet Union was expanding its power and influence when it was on the verge of economic and political bankruptcy. In the 1990s, we were certain that Saddam Hussein had a nuclear arsenal. In fact, his factories could barely make soap.

The error this time is more damaging. September 11 was a shock to the American psyche and the American system. As a result, we overreacted. In a crucially important Washington Post reporting project, ?Top Secret America,? Dana Priest and William Arkin spent two years gathering information on how 9/11 has really changed America.

I have always thought what Zakaria had to say was, usually, sensible and had a ring of truth. This excerpt was just right.
It's very troubling to me to think that we invaded a country on the other side of the world for absolutely no other reason than corporate greed and to help get the neo-cons re-elected.

It seems enough time has passed that the US can really look at everything that has happened since 9/11, including our country's actions and reactions, and really evaluate where we are now as a result. but of course, no one will. except for a few thoughtful writers.