It’s a time for reflection, as well as hope, that we will heed the lessons from the mistakes made since 9/11 – a moment that upended our word 20 years ago. One observation this week is, many are frustrated by the focus on 9/11, when there are so many other stories of devastation in our past that do not get the attention this moment does.
I completely understand this way of thinking – especially for those outside of America – however, the significance of this moment for the world, and what has happened since, for me, is really why we must pay attention.
Of course, the first people we must be conscious of are those who lost loved ones that day, many were children at the time, now adults, and they have grown up without parents. There are so many stories from that time. Painful, hard stories.
Most of us old enough in 2001, remember exactly where we were this day. It was a deeply powerful moment that shook us to our core, and it’s a moment that changed the world. Equally, with the Afghanistan War ending in the last few weeks, and the chaos surrounding it, this anniversary feels even more important.
In the content I’ve been consuming this week, for the first time, left and right leaning media are not showing the divisions we expect. They are very aligned. Please keep an eye out for a series of deeper reads below, discussing what was gained, but mostly, what was lost.
The terrorists we went to war to defeat are stronger than ever, because every bomb dropped created more recruits. Every mistake made fed into their ideologies. The failures are being discussed in detail, as well as the early decisions made in fear, anger and outrage, with few dissenting. It was a time for revenge and the blood lust was high! George W. Bush is quoted many times as being driven by blood lust. Not a stable leadership foundation for war.
Arrogance too. Comments made at the time – your history starts now – completely ignoring the rich history of Afghanistan and it’s more recent wars, which clearly demonstrated no country could conquer it. Our leaders at the time underestimated the enemy completely.
The intelligence failures that lead to 9/11, and the global divisions it created afterwards, especially when the new Iraq war started – you’re either with us or against us. Does anyone still call them freedom fries?
The many forms of disrespect towards Afghanis, and the insidious infiltration of the enemy into the coalitions ranks, making unity impossible between Afghanistan and it’s “conquerors.” The lawlessness of the war constantly justified, including Guantanamo Bay, which was the final straw for the Middle East. America’s credibility as The Good Guy was gone, and it was too late for Obama to get it back. The damage was done.
I definitely believe it’s a poignant moment to reflect and consider how do we can change paths from here, versus continuing as we have for the past two decades? Because what has been achieved?
Trillions spent, the Taliban back in power, fear on the ground, and women, LGBTIQA and minority groups living in fear. You have to wonder, is this whole sorry affair enough of a lesson to heed? Or will we continue with endless wars?
I recommend Afghanistan Was a Ponzi Scheme Sold to the American Public and 9/11 was a test. The books of the last two decades show how America failed.If you want to watch an overview of the history of Afghanistan, Iraq, the Taliban, the history before 9/11 and the politics of that moment, I can definitely recommend The Turning Point on Netflix.
Much else going on in the news this week. Dig in and get up to date.
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In Conversation – Pravin Shekar – Outlier Marketing – two legends, Pravin Shekar and Lindsay Adams, discussing how you can sell without selling. It’s a great listen and you will be entranced with Pravin’s joyous laugh. Always makes me smile.
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22 lifestyle changes we can all make to contribute to a better world and finally, thrilled to do this podcast with Susanna Hasenoehrl, Tim Wade and Michelle Mouille. This is the first and we’ll be releasing another in two weeks, going through individual actions we can all take to live in harmony with nature. If we can encourage everyone to do their part, we start moving towards massive change in the world. Don’t feel helpless.
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Content to read
And here’s the content I’ve been reading this last week. Scan the headlines, read the ones that jump out at you, read or watch them all. Knowledge is power, and global knowledge is even more powerful.
20th Anniversary 9/11 and Afghanistan
PhD, Master’s degree ‘not valuable’, says Afghanistan education minister Munir
9/11 anniversary: Biden calls for unity as US remembers attacks
9/11 was a test. The books of the last two decades show how America failed.
Taliban’s quest for legitimacy and India’s Quad option
Five lessons learned (or not) since 9/11
How 9/11 Turned America Into a Half-Crazed, Fading Power
Afghan Special Forces commander faced race against time to flee
Afghanistan: Taliban break up women’s rights protest in Kabul tks Karsten Warnecke
Ashraf Ghani: ‘I apologise that I could not make it end differently’
How the US created a world of endless war
Afghan women to be banned from playing sport, Taliban say
Old men of ‘good character’ can teach women in Afghan universities
Taliban Unveil New Afghan Government
Resistance leader says open to peace talks with Taliban
Afghanistan Was a Ponzi Scheme Sold to the American Public
Afghanistan’s Paralympians escape the Taliban with Australia’s help to make their mark in Tokyo
The Women Burning Their Degree Certificates
Afghanistan: Fresh fighting in final anti-Taliban stronghold
Climate Crisis / 6th Mass Extinction
Earth’s tipping points could be closer than we think. Our current plans won’t work tks Sue Adams
More than 200 health journals call for urgent action on climate crisis
Solar startup born in a garage is beating China to cheaper panels
Special Report on The Ocean and Cryosphere In A Changing Climate tks Susanna Hasenoehrl
Conservationists celebrate arrival of eastern quoll joeys at Barrington Tops breeding facility
World’s biggest machine capturing carbon from air turned on in Iceland
Northern hairy-nosed wombats are back from the brink after dropping to just 35 in the 1980s
Supervolcano eruptions appear to be much more likely than previously thought
Vulnerable nations call for ’emergency pact’
Logging of WA native forests to be banned under state budget plan unveiled by Mark McGowan
ESG investment funds rife with greenwashing
Billions are pouring into the business of decarbonisation
Climate change solution could come from ‘electrifying everything’, Australian inventor Saul Griffith says tks Warwick Merry
Australia warned climate crisis will ‘wreak havoc’ on economy if coal isn’t phased out
Climate change: Massive Attack gig data to cut live music impact
New York City was never built to withstand a deluge like the one Ida delivered. It showed.
Australian Climate Technology Community tks Susanna Hasenoehrl
COVID19
Biden Boosts Vaccine Requirements for Large Employers, Federal Workers to Combat Covid-19
The Coronavirus Is Here Forever. This Is How We Live With It.
Howard Stern Tells Anti-Vaxxers Who Catch Coronavirus: ‘Go F**k Yourself’
Grim satellite images show Australia’s Covid restrictions from the sky
New U.S. vaccine requirements draw praise, skepticism and outrage.
Fury as Covid crisis hits Australia’s Aboriginal communities
WHO discusses strengthening health emergency security systems with South-East Asia member countries
Overcrowded Aboriginal Housing Highlighted as Australia Races to Help COVID-19-Hit Outback Town
Covid denier filmed coughing on fellow customers at grocery store in Nebraska
Ivermectin infertility story correction: FDA rejects 2011 Nigeria study
14,176 new Covid cases, 228 more deaths
New Studies Find Evidence Of ‘Superhuman’ Immunity To COVID-19 In Some Individuals tks Tori Allen
Toss the Clorox Wipes, Stock Up on Masks to Be Safe at Work
Bangkok set for November reopening
New normal tourism may see foreign and local tourists segregated at Pattaya tourist attractions
Victoria Covid-19 update: 76 new cases; Andrews says it’s a ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’ – video
The Masks Were Working All Along tks Lisa L3?
Health Officials Advise White House to Scale Back Booster Plan for Now
Global Politics
Has Covid ended the neoliberal era?
Canada federal election: Key takeaways from the debate
Companies Who Donated to Co-Sponsors of Texas Abortion Bill Revealed
How the hell is Angus Taylor still a thing? tks Phillipa Edwards
Business and technology
UK trade with EU falls sharply as Brexit and Covid drive down exports
Food sharing app OLIO raises $43M Series B, as the world switches on to the food waste crisis tks Susanna Hasenoehrl
CEO Ridiculed for Raising Minimum Wage to $70K Has the Last Laugh
Twitter to label ‘good’ bot accounts
An ‘Internet apocalypse’ could ride to Earth with the next solar storm, new research warns
Office Occupancy Sputtered in August as Delta Variant Foiled Return-to-Work Hopes
High Court finds media outlets are responsible for Facebook comments in Dylan Voller defamation case tks Jenni Thorman
LinkedIn is scrapping its Stories feature to work on short-form video tks Chris J Reed
Creating meaningful experiences this peak season
Bitcoin crashes on first day as El Salvador’s legal tender
Soros Calls BlackRock’s China Investment a ‘Tragic Mistake’
You’re Right! You Are Working Longer and Attending More Meetings tks Andrew Psarianos
Social issues (#BlackLivesMatter) and humanity
What were the flashes of light seen during Mexico’s recent earthquake?
How to forgive someone and the health benefits of forgiveness, both mental and physical tks Ruchi Singh
Mexico decriminalises abortion in landmark ruling
As Abortion Rights Expand, the U.S. Joins a Handful of Telling Exceptions
Top US court halts Texas execution of inmate seeking pastor’s touch
Kids Are Getting the Wrong Message About Happiness. Here’s What You Need to Tell Them Samantha Gayfer
What If We Stopped Pretending? tks Robert Kirubi
Paris attacks 2015: Accused complains of conditions
How Life Became Endless, Terrible Competition tks Claude Calleja
Australian bush rescue: Mother’s reunion with boy lost for four days
A Generation of American Men Give Up on College: ‘I Just Feel Lost’ tks Denise Chai
Simone Biles Has a Message for Online Haters Who Would Call Her a Quitter
Texas Private School Hands Out Handmaid School Uniforms
Men are marched out of prison camps. Then corpses float down the river
What’s the best age gap in a relationship? tks Sue Adams
Passion, humour, history
Molly the magpie and Peggy the dog are a ‘real-life Winnie the Pooh and Piglet story’
Rebel with a million-dollar cause: Wilson donates $1m to theatre that gave her a start tks Willie Wahlin
Steve From ‘Blue’s Clues’ Returns With 2-Minute Message That Has Everyone Crying
Follow a Couple’s Daring Escape From Slavery in the Antebellum South
Stunning and Unique Golden Treasure Hoard Found In Denmark
ABBA – I Still Have Faith In You tks David Lim
Let me know what jumped out at you? Or share with me what you’re reading? I love that!
Cheers
Andrea
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