Remembering September 11

Today the Asia Times published a letter I wrote about the purpose and meaning of the new film World Trade Center.

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Contrary to Ruth Rosen's analysis (Great movie, pity about the Big Lie, Aug 18), I found World Trade Center to be carefully and respectfully detached from politics. While misperceptions about the war on terror are important to address in public debate, I don't see why it should be Oliver Stone's job to tell America how related or unrelated Iraq is to September 11 [2001]. The movie is not a documentary on global politics. It consciously stays above the fray of war spin from Republicans and Democrats. The movie's short portrayals of [US President George W] Bush and [former New York mayor Rudolph] Giuliani could have glorified them or criticized them, but does neither. This movie is politically neutral. While keeping more or less true to the facts of that horrible day, it focuses on terribly trying personal experiences, purposely steering clear of controversial historical and political context. Why? Because the film aims to capture the events of just one single day, a day that will remain seared into the psyche of Americans for a long long time. The message of the movie is not a political one but a human one: people are capable of horrible things, but they are also capable of compassion, sacrifice and unity of purpose. On September 11, that compassion, sacrifice and unity were not for any political end but for the sake of what is right, and ultimately, what's worth living for: the good of humanity.