[September 11, 2001]

“September 11th is producing the most abrupt, profound, and hopefully positive policy reversals in American history. The Bush administration’s unilateralism abroad has now become multilateralism and coalition building. Relations with Russia, China, and India may well improve, and new incentives may emerge for American re-involvement with the Middle East peace process. A serious American policy toward the Arab nations and their people may finally be generated. Here at home, the federal government’s active leadership role is at last being appreciated as it comes to the country’s rescue, but Americans must devote long overdue introspection to themselves, and the perception of others, about our superpower’s place in the world. ”

—Thomas L. Hughes, former director of intelligence and research, US Department of State (CC ’72)

“ September 11th made it clear that further investments are needed to strengthen our country’s frontline clinicians’ ability to serve as sentinels for the early detection of unusual disease patterns and to respond promptly to bioterrorism. ”

— Larry A. Green, M.D., director, The Robert Graham Center: Studies in Family Practice and Primary Care (CC ’00)

“ It is to be expected that those ‘brutalitarian’ forces whose culture is undermined by the forward technological and human movement of globalization would feel threatened by the United States, its symbol. Our best response, in addition to punishing those who are guilty of murdering the victims, is to commit ourselves to lead the world toward the goal of making our century the Century of Democracy and Liberty. ”

—Max M. Kampelman, attorney, diplomat, and former counselor to the US Department of State (CC ’58)

“ My father’s cardinal lesson was ‘Use the right tool for the job.’ If you have ever tried to hammer a nail with a can of WD-40, you know what he means. Wisdom, not technological dominance alone, is the right tool to win America’s ‘New War.’ ”

—David Michaelis, biographer (CC ’94)

“My corollary to using ‘the right tool for the job’ is ‘First read the directions...and then revise as necessary.’ This new war requires devising and consummating multilateral pacts to control effectively the making and use of weapons of mass destruction. National sovereignty may be compromised to a degree. On the other hand, unilateral strikes will have to be carried out as time and circumstances may dictate. These two strategies, traditionally considered contradictory, will require revising the old directions...with great wisdom. ”

—Michael Michaelis, engineer (CC ’63)

 

For additional quotes, see Wilton S. Dillon's article.

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