Editorial from September 11, 2006

"9/11 – what we have learned"

By Danielle Seckler

   Normally, we try to stick to the local issues. However, it seems to us that the divides on national issues can be seen within these mountaintops.

   ABC is airing its docudrama, which some in the Clinton administration may or may not be dramatized as being incompetent, negligent, or just plain out in la-la land. With the five year anniversary of 9/11, it might be prudent to step back and consider all of our roles in the sneak attack.

   In the mid 90’s, the biggest concern most of the nation had was the unfolding story of Clinton’s sexual trysts. He lied about sex in a deposition and people were in such an uproar – impeach or not to impeach. While we got to see an embarrassed man, who publicly had to finally admit that he did the deed he was accused of, he and his administration being attacked on multiple fronts were trying to deal with Bin Laden. The people weren’t concerned about Bin Laden’s activities, since most were outside the US, and we could only imagine what the outcry would have been, had the Clinton administration had gone after him before he actually did anything. It was only after the attack on the African embassies and the Cole, did they try to kill the ‘b…’ and they only had one good chance and they missed him within a couple of hours. However, would it have meant that the 9/11 attack would not have happened? We think not. The plan would have gone on, with or without Bin Laden.

   There is blame to go around for everyone, especially knowing now what we know as the facts. The communication between government agencies, the learning curve of the Bush administration coming in, the higher ups in the FBI not listening to the lower personnel’s input or information; the list goes on and on.

   Here is what it comes down to; we were hit with a sneak attacked. There is no way any government on this planet can ward off all attacks. If the government does a good job, only some of the attacks will happen. Ask any women who walks the dirt roads or streets any where on this planet – will you always be safe? The answer is no! All people should be safe, however whether it be made-made or nature, no one is absolutely safe from what can happen.

   I’ve lived outside of the US and have been to African, Middle Eastern, and European cities; there is no absolute safety. Once I was on the corner of my block in Cologne, Germany, when Bader Meinhof (a faction of the Red Army) terrorists kidnapped a banker, killing his driver and another bystander. It could have been a bomb, instead of bullets, which would mean your pleasure of my thoughts would have been deprived. I’ve lived with walking through an airport, with border patrol patrolling with little submachine guns. Since 1968, when I first went to Europe, we always had our passport pictures taken and our names compared to lists of possible terrorists. This is nothing new, except to Americans. Fact is that Americans have been lucky until 9/11 and the lesson hit hard. However the warning signs were there and we (that means you and me, right up to our highest leaders) were not paying attention. The point is that when the public does not have its priorities straight, then our protectors do not have their priorities straight, independent of which side of the aisle.

   Locally, are the people of Big Bear paying attention now? There seems to be more empathetic people becoming activists now, as frustration grows. The mood of the nation and the Bear Valley residents is that it is time to just chuck everyone out and start from scratch. With a hopeful smile that seems to say, please someone out there come up with better solutions that work for everyone, not just those in power now. We want our leaders to work together, by bringing together all the ideas on the plate, thinking outside the box, to solve some very serious problems the valley is facing now and in the future. If past leaders passed the buck onto the next leaders, isn’t it time to stop pointing fingers backwards and start making some hard decisions.

   We applauded the BBARWA board members for their thinking outside the box about the water problems this valley has and will always face the people of this valley. It may have been costly, however we know it will work and have prime examples, such as the Donald Tillman Japanese Gardens in Van Nuys, California (Check it out here), that prove that it can work. The actual cost might be too high for just the residents to pay for, however some day we believe that projects such as the Japanese Gardens will happen in the Big Bear Valley, with outside assistance. Besides, we think that if people on the shuttle and space station can live and thrive on 100% reclaimed water; there must be a way for those of us on the ground.

   Does this all compare to us locally? Are we safer now than we were 5 years ago? Locally, probably the only changes in the last five years have been that we are much more prepared for natural emergencies, such as fires. Nationally, probably a little bit. However, not so much what our leaders have done, but by what we have done; become more aware of our surroundings. We may be safer now, however the people want more of our leaders to work together, forget petty past year’s offenses, and to work for the future, while allowing for the community to participate in the process. We want full disclosure, not more private only meetings, whether it is for budget or pool committees. We want to speak and we will be heard, either in the board room or at the polls.

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