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September 2001
Contact: Peter Bailley
news@knox.edu
309-341-7715
The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 have "global ramifications," said Robert F. Seibert, Murphy Professor of Political Science at Knox College in a panel discussion, "Terrorism and the Current Crisis," on Thursday, Sept. 20.
"Bin Laden has been in 30 or 40 countries. His minions came from around the world," Seibert said. "There will be an impact on the global airline system [and perhaps even] a rethinking of the viability of [skyscraper] construction." Seibert was one of seven panelists, in an event sponsored by the Knox Political Science Department. (More summaries of remarks below.)
The panelists, with their specialties, were (left to right):
Prof. Robert F. Seibert, the Middle East and Southeast Asia
Prof. Lane Sunderland, U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court
Prof. Sue Hulett, international relations and American foreign policy
Prof. Karen Kampwirth, comparative politics and Latin America
Prof. Duane Oldfield, religion in American politics
Sahar Zaidi, senior political science major from Pakistan and President of the Islamic Club
Prof. Sean Matheson, U.S. elections and political institutions
About the photos: thumbnails are linked to 1 MB jpegs.
 P9200024 - Full panel |
 P9200025 - Zaidi, Matheson |
 P9200026 - Zaidi |
 P9200028 - Kampwirth (center, speaking) |
 P9200030 - Sunderland |
Summaries of remarks
Robert Seibert — "The loss of more than 5,000 people isn't enough to bring a nation to its knees. The loss of the World Trade Center isn't enough to bring the economy to its knees. But it is possible to create a generalized sense of vulnerability... If that was the terrorists' objective, then I think it's now 'terrorists-1, civilization-0.'
"The attack has global ramifications. Bin Laden has been in 30 or 40 countries around the world. His minions come from a large number of countries. There will be an impact on the global airline system... New York City isn't the only place with skyscrapers. The notion that those buildings could be brought down by a commercial airliner may prompt a rethinking of that kind of construction.
"[Terrorists also hope to] prompt an over-reaction. We hear discussions not of whether to restrict civil liberties, but which ones we should give up in exchange for an increased sense of security.
Sahar Zaidi — "We need to have open communication, so people can be heard, and we can settle our difference peacefully. Islam is an open religion, accepting of all. Anyone who wishes can read the Koran and enter a mosque. Islam taught me tolerance and respect. It believes in the sanctity of human life."
Karen Kampwirth — "One of the most fundamental reasons terrorism occurs is the tendency to see the world in terms of 'us and them.' So while violence against civilians who we define as part of us, like the people in the World Trade Center is justifiably seen as an outrage, many people defend terrorism against people that we define as them as 'necessary' or 'collatoral damage' or 'an unavoidable consequence of the struggle against them.'
"So if we want to avoid moral relativism, to avoid thinking that terrorism against people in other countries is more acceptable than terrorism against people in our country we have to stop dividing the world into 'us and them.'
"First, I think it helps to know people who are citizens of other countries. If you are know an Iraqi you are unlikely to believe that an attack on Iraqi citizens is an attack against Saddam Hussein just as if you know an American you are unlikely to believe that an attack on US citizens is an attack against George Bush.
"A second thing that will help is to live in another country for a while, which for students is pretty easy to do through study abroad programs.
"Third, we would reduce political violence if the media would take the deaths of civilians elsewhere as seriously as it takes the deaths of civilians here. If ABC news were to interview the grieving widows and widowers of the victims of bombing campaigns in Iraq, we might think more before we support such campaigns.
"Finally, we can all stop buying into nationalistic ideas, like that the U.S. is 'number 1.' The idea of 'number 1' may be appropriate in sports competitions but it is hurtful when used to compare ourselves to people in other countries."
Duane Oldfield — "We will need to take additional security precautions, but we should be very worried about rewriting the rulebooks on civil liberties in a moment of passion...
"The causes of the bombing in Oklahoma City aren't exactly similar [to the causes of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11], but after we realized that the Oklahoma bomber was 'one of us' -- a white guy from middle America -- we didn't [call for] leveling of Timothy McVeigh's hometown, or blowing away everyone associated with a militia. [We didn't] casually talk about 'ending' the government that trained McVeigh, which was the U.S. military."
Sue Hulett — "Bin Laden hates the culture of the U.S., a culture that celebrates the individual, freedom, and democracy. Terrorists see only the selfishness that all too often accompanies freedom of thought and freedom of action... The terrorists are waging a 'holy war' against women and children and civilians and anyone who doesn't agree with Bin Laden...
"We shouldn't engage in indiscriminate bombings, but we should build coalitions with other governments and hunt down those who are responsible [for the attacks.]"
Sean Matheson — "The most basic responsibility of a state is providing for the security of its population. From World War II through the Cold War [security was achieved through deterrence]... no nation dared attack the U.S. homeland for fear and knowledge of what we'd do to them. Just as we refrained from any attacks on the Soviet Union, partly out of fear for what they'd do to us.
"[Deterrence] has saved millions of lives by averting war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Deterrence is based on capacity and credibility. Our capacity to inflict grave losses on an enemy is unquestioned. Now our credibility has been challenged... and innocent lives will have to be lost to restore that deterrence. But the moral culpability for forcing America's hand in restoring a successful defense policy rests solely with the terrorists."
Lane Sunderland — "Equality, individual rights, and the consent of the governed -- this is the American creed... this is why those of many colors, religions and backgrounds can become Americans. In a time of tragedy and fear, it's important that we acknowledge the heterogenous face of American citizenship and American loyalty, and that we not turn on ourselves.
"The strength of our system lies in processes [that protect civil liberties], and processes that are cumbersome. We need to have a full debate, and avoid situations like last week, where Congress acted hastily [to expand wiretap laws]. During times of war and national fear, the judiciary and Supreme Court have not served us particularly well. We know the executive will take the lead. We need to keep our eye on Congress, so they fulfill their constitutional role in a sober and responsible manner, so we have a full and open discussion of these issues that will affect each of us."
Related Pages
Political Science Faculty
Campus messages following the Sept. 11 attacks
Founded in 1837, Knox is a national liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, with students from 47 states and 41 nations. Knox's "Old Main" is a National Historic Landmark and the only building remaining from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates.
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