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One reason to focus on the past is to learn from it and to see how the future is connected to past events. We can look at the consequences of actions as ripples in a pond caused by raindrops. Each raindrop starts its own separate ripple and progresses out until it merges with all the other ripples in the pond.

And so it is with all the events in the universe. Each action intertwines with others to create the future. And it is with this knowledge of how the future is determined that we must calculate our present and future actions. However, we must also keep in mind that we are not the future's sole determinant.

We may not get to where we want to be as some intervening event may stop us from getting there. For example, if we're driving down the road and a drunk driver hits us in a fatal head-on collision, we are prevented by someone else from reaching our goal. And likewise, when we make decisions for ourselves, we must keep in mind that we could be making decisions for others as well. If we drink and drive and we crash into someone else, we have determined their future as well as our own. While choosing the proper path may not guarantee a certain result, it certainly increases the probability of reaching a goal.

And thus, we must judge the aftermath of 9-11 through the lens of the decisions and actions we took at that time. And that is how I choose to contemplate here on the events after 9-11.

Some Consequences of 9-11

The media is putting a lot of effort into the 9-11 anniversary. They are focusing on the obvious success and failures of our response. I choose to focus on some less obvious connections and consequences.

We humans tend to see things in terms of black and white or, at best, extremes of grey. It's not always easy for us to make the jump of connecting past and future events because it requires a lot of imagination and the willingness to admit we might be wrong. It takes an open mind and a wide vision to see all the possible consequences of our actions. This is what makes decision-making such a complex task. At best we can each individually only see a few connections.

However, while most things are related, they are so in different degrees. On the other hand, some connections that determine the future are easy to spot. Others may appear inconsequential yet are important to the final outcome as well. It is these connections that are hardest to determine.

So let's start with this event: Seared into my brain is the image of President Bush standing atop the rubble at Ground Zero with megaphone in hand and his other arm draped over the shoulders of a fire fighter. It was at this moment in history that the majority of the American people began to sanction the government's response to "the people who knocked these buildings down".

Let's look at a few connections:

1) While we tend to focus on the approx 3000 Americans killed on 9-11, it actually comes to hundreds of thousands when we look at the other American lives affected, including those of military men and women killed, maimed and mentally disturbed. We also have to include the innocents killed, maimed, and displaced overseas. The consequences of our reactions to 9-11 were immense. These consequences are indisputable and, when we pause, startling,. Others are harder to see at first glance. For instance, I read a study recently that stated that approximately 1500 people died in traffic accidents shortly after 9-11 because they were afraid to fly. Merely, t is safer to fly long distances than drive.

2) Shortly after 9-11, I spoke with a friend who quite seriously and emphatically stated the proper response was to "nuke them". And then, after the invasion of Iraq, I spoke to a telephone repairman who told me that an Iraqy life was not only worth less than an American life, it was inconsequential. 

What is the reason this behavior seems acceptable? I'm sure you can find your own examples, but here's mine:

While there have been periods in American history, such as the run-up to the Civil War, where civility was perhaps worse than it is today, I think that modern day incivility started when Republican leadership threatened his Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives with repercussions if they continued to socialize with their Democratic counterparts. This behavior led to the hyper-partisan rhetoric surrounding the Clinton impeachment. Then that behavior was later enhanced by the rhetoric surrounding the response to 9-11. If you will remember, it was customary to brand any dissension as un-American and traitorous. Those questioning the government's response were told to "shut up or leave".

This behavior became ever habit-forming and I would suggest that the recent contentiousness regarding the budget debate was born in these habits. This lack of civility in America today is so serious and escalating, I believe it even threatens the foundation of the "American Dream."

3) While not wanting to discount the tragedy of 9-11, I believe the government's response should have been calculated to foster calmness, reflection, and a sense of purpose as well as to consider all of the consequences of our response. I don't believe this was fully done.

For example, to counteract the ensuing economic downturn after the internet bubble burst in 2000, the Federal Reserve increased the money supply. I consider this action was an appropriate response at the time. But in the "runaway turmoil" after 9-11, Alan Greenspan and the Federal Reserve chose to further expand the money supply. This now excessive expansion set the stage for the housing bubble, its collapse, and the extreme hardship wrought on many people today. Had the response by the leadership in American society been calmer and correctly contemplated, instead of in Western terms "half-cocked", this action by the Federal Reserve may not have been necessary. Thus, the housing bubble and crash might have been avoided since frivolous and undeserving credit would not have been available.

How many more unintended consequences like these exist? If fear had not ruled the day, perhaps fewer would have died?

The Four Stages of Grief

For this article to be useful, it is not necessary to agree with my analysis and conclusions. For us to benefit from the concept that our decisions and actions affect future events in the universe, it is enough to accept the connection of past, present, and future events. Perhaps then we can avoid disastrous decisions going forward in our personal lives and at the ballot box.

To me it is obvious that something is missing in American culture if we are today, once again, reliving the events of 9-11. I am reminded of one of my favorite movies, "Groundhog Day", where the main character is required to relive the same contentious day over and over again that was caused by his uncivil behavior until he learns to get it right. And he does. And thus, we still have a chance to get our behavior concerning 9-11 right as well.

Perhaps looking at the four stages of grief will help us see the problem and its solution. The first stage is shock and disbelief, then awareness, followed by depression. Then the last stage of grief includes acceptance, reconciliation, and recovery. It is time for America to finish the grieving process and to put aside the tragedy of 9-11 by acknowledging and correcting our missteps.

Recommended book:

The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy - What the Cycles of History Tell Us About America's Next Rendezvous with Destiny
by William Strauss and Neil Howe.

William Strauss and Neil Howe will change the way you see the world -- and your place in it.  In The Fourth Turning, they apply their generational theories to the cycles of history and locate America in the middle of an unraveling period, on the brink of a crisis.  How you prepare for this crisis -- the Fourth Turning -- is intimately connected to the mood and attitude of...

For more info and/or to order this book.

bobby jennings is co-publisher of InnerSelf Publications and webmaster of InnerSelf.com. Originally a Democrat for many years, he moved to the Republican party in the mid 1980's and the Green Party in 2000. He now supports common sense initiatives from all parties and votes independently in the general elections. He supports small efficient honest government, government managed capitalism, an independent judiciary, religious tolerance, as well as social and economic justice. He is an ex-Army officer and retired small business owner. He best describes himself as a now extinct "Eisenhower Republican".

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