Why Bush says 9/11 a "Third Awakening"

The fifth anniversary of 9/11/01 marked more than a national tragedy.  President Bush says it sparked a "Third Great Awakening" to civilization’s greatest challenge – secular humanism vs.  religious fascism.

He emphasized during visits to New York’s "ground zero" - and Pennsylvania’s "field of valor" – that those were battles in the War Against Terrorism.  

Liberals went bonkers.  How dare he "politicize" 9/11?  They contend he only should have delivered eulogies - rather than commiserating with survivors and families of 3,000 innocent victims.  

Bush opened his heart two days later in an Oval Office "sit-down" with some conservative journalists about cultural changes.  White House news hounds were not invited.  However, the National Review posted highlights on its website, and the Washington Post published them.

The President asserted the world’s struggle against international terrorists might last decades.  "A lot of Americans see this as a confrontation between good and evil, including me.  There was a stark change between the culture of the ‘50s and ‘60s – boom – and I think there’s a change happening here.  It seems to me there’s a Third Awakening."

Historically, the First Great Awakening was a wave of Christian fervor in American colonies 1730 to 1760 culminating in the War for Independence.  The Second Great Awakening was that by Baptists and Methodists pushing the frontier westward.

Bush has been careful not to discuss openly the concept of "War Against Terrorism" since he had to apologize for using the word "crusade" (inflammatory to Muslims) six years ago.  Now he stresses that the war is not against Islam, but against "those who corrupt it."

Aides insist his Oval Office comments were not casting the war as a religious struggle.  Rather, it described American cultural changes in a time of war.  Spin.  Bush says what he means, and means what he says.  

The War Against Terrorism is self-defense against a fanatic, religious war and will not end until "Islamo-fascists" or Democracies prevail.  Dictionary the meaning of "fascist" before dashing off a letter to my editor.  

William Dobson, editor of Foreign Policy magazine, wrote last year: "The Day Nothing Much Changed." He opines that the world did not change on 9/11/01 but with the end of the Cold War with the Soviet Union in 1996.  This made America the sole remaining superpower - and the primary target for Muslim fanatics.  

The U.S. State Department has kept a log of terrorist attacks world wide since 1961-16 pages of small type.  Of these, 56 were aimed at Americans.  More pertinent to today’s column are eight, major ones:

American presidents – and other world leaders – kicked terrorist-cans down the road for others to deal with.  Then came:

Two hijacked American airliners crashing into the World Trade Towers, another into the Pentagon, and a fourth  - defended by passengers - was crashed into a field, 3,000 innocent Americans killed.  

Most Muslims do not condone terrorism.  Yet, the "jihadist" insurgents in Iraq and elsewhere quote the Koran that unbelievers should have their heads cut off.  The old testament of the Christian Bible – based on Jewish texts – describe human sacrifices to God as thanks for blessings.  

These primitive, cultural practices were cast aside by reformist Christians and Jews long ago.  The War on terrorism will continue until progressive Muslims likewise experience a Great Awakening and reject ancient, cultural practices anathema to a modern society.  

The struggle is likely to be even more devastating for democracies and theocracies.  Yet, a global culture for individuality is inevitable – given today’s communication technology.  

Buckle your seat belts.

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