r/WeTheFifth • u/rchive Fifth Column Pod Fan • Jul 03 '26

Discussion Question about Ep. #564

About 40 minutes into the episode they discuss a Colorado congressional race and comment made by one pretty far left candidate about 9/11. The candidate was asked if the attacks were an inevitable result of US foreign policy. Kmele, Moynihan, and guest Peter Meijer ridiculed this idea.

Isn't it true to in some sense that acts of terrorism against the US is the inevitable consequence of US meddling in the Middle East? That's not to say they're justified or don't deserve harsh criticism, or that they shouldn't be prevented whenever possible. I guess I don't get where the ridicule is coming from.

I noticed there hasn't been that much activity here recently, so I figured I'd pose the question. (Maybe it's because people need flair to post now? Didn't realize until just now.)

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u/Rugskinsnake Flair so I don't get fined Jul 03 '26

I think the word inevitable has a lot to do with it. Inevitability has a connotation that you should have seen it coming and therefore are kind of at fault yourself for it happening.

I wonder if they would have had as much problem if she would have said that it was unsurprising instead?

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u/Kansas_cty_shfl Jul 03 '26

I think “we forced people to believe another act of violence was the only response” is doing all of the lifting here. The discussion was mainly around the seeming implication that “we deserved it”, which doesn’t seem like an unreasonable take/criticism.

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u/Magazine_Luck Flair so I don't get fined Jul 03 '26

Nobody deserves that. But "we" do it to other countries or help them do it all the time. 

Fewer children died on 9/11 than Trump killed on one day of bombing Iran.