The Real Message Of United 93

I've yet to see a key point or two raised pointedly enough in discussions of the newly released Flight 93. Stripping away the understandable emotionalism surrounding the movie, the movie could also be said to show why we will ultimately defeat terrorism and how we have been over-estimating its primary strength at the same time we mostly underestimate our own.

What is it that we always point to as the great strength of the jihadist? Don't we, mostly via the media, always point to the suicide bomber as the ultimate sign of radical Islam's underlying strength and total commitment to victory?

I refuse to believe that an hour or so on an airplane is enough time for so many life loving individuals to become fully resigned to the pending inevitably of their own deaths. Given that belief, then death was not a surety for the American freedom fighters on United 93 until that plane crashed into a building, or the ground.

Consequently, I am compelled to conclude that when the full battle against Terrorism was close engaged, free Americans proved they were every bit as capable of making that one form of ultimate sacrifice, suicide, previously seen as a fearsome weapon only of the jihadist.

The terms of that decision were different - it was defensive and morally altruistic, as the decision was undertaken to actually avert even more death on the ground. But the dedication to victory which under-lied it was every bit on a par with that of the suicidal jihadist.

Once we understand that the dedication to victory is every bit as strong on the part of many individual Americans as it is for terrorists, given our relative strength and size, there really is nothing but our collective national will standing in the way of an eventual final victory for America in the Global War on Terrorism.

I'd add that obviously our military displays the same dedication every day, so it really should be more obvious. But there is an unfortunate tendency for any nation to sometimes take its military for granted in this regard. When that same dedication and on the spot decision making is displayed in the actions of innocent civilians, it is much more difficult to ignore.

Comments

[Phoenix]

Nice piece, Dan. I like the way you think. I haven't seen the movie, but I've always had the same feeling about Americans you describe here. I just refuse to give in to the alarmist and defeatists who say our country is headed for disaster, or that we can't do the right thing, or that we are fools. The average American is more powerful than any terrorist because our mindset is that of free will and an inherent willingness to protect that freedom of thought and action. Woe to anyone who tries to take that from us.

[SinCerely]

Good point Dan. Some bitch and moan about the American way. When it comes down to it, I believe most would have responded in a similar way. Let's hope so anyway.

The passengers on Flight 93 knew before most of us that America was under attack. Some were told the Capitol was next. They made a decision not to allow that to happen. In a split second these people made a decision. My life for my country, regardless of the outcome. HEROES.

[RiverRat]

Dan,

I'm not convinced the response on Flight 93 was an altruistic sacrifice for a greater cause but a recognition that the odds of individual survival had changed. I know from combat experience that at a moment of crisis when the likelihood of death is 9 in 10, rational people fight for personal survival first. If they're civilized, they also instinctively recognize that collaboration at a small group or even at a civilization level is an essential element of success. A man falls on a grenade not for glory but for the surivial of the band...of brothers. There is no glory without survivors.

To me, the action on Flight 93 was an act of community survival. Heroic, yes. Instinctive, Yes. A celebration of life, certainly yes.

It's Judeo-Cristian and not Islamic.

[nova]

From the moment I heard of the Flight 93 crash I knew they had saved the U.S. Capitol building. I live in the D.C. area only a few miles from the Pentagon and the U.S.Capitol. I saw the smoke rising from the Pentagon.
I felt then and feel now that a memoriol or plaque should be built at the U.S. Capitol telling the story of the brave people of Flight 93 who saved that building that day. I know there will be a memorial in Pa. where the flight crashed at that is as it should be. But at least a plaque at the U.S.Capitol should be place to remind people how it was saved on 9-11-01 by the brave people of Flight 93. Those people are my Heroes.

[annie]

You are right Dan.

All of them heroes, as are the troops fighting out in Afghanistan, Iraq, where ever, as were those fire fighters who went to try and rescue the people on 9/11.

Let freedom reign, and let the enemy know what metal of man they are fighting against!

[splashtc]

I agree with River Rat-The capital is just a cement building. It was a need to do something and not just sit there and be killed. Save ourselves or die trying -which is born of free thinking people -which is the heart of America.

[Kelly3]

Heroes that didn't wear pin stripes, hadn't won a superbowl, didn't play in a rock band. Everyday people that felt fear but overcame their fear. True Americans who fought back. In those few minutes they showed the world what America is made of. We are the home of the brave. May God Bless their souls! May God Bless AMERICA!! Great points Dan! Thank You!!!!!