Introducing The Next Generation Of Leaders And Thinkers

Tunnel Vision and the Death of Perspective

Rudy Guliani recently made a rather incorrect statement about domestic security in the United States. In a speech on Monday, he said that before Obama, there were no successful terror attacks on the United States.

Now, dear reader, hopefully you already see the problem. He overlooked the largest terror attack in American history: September 11, 2001. The infamous date etched into the American consciousness when Al-Qaeda hijacked several planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon killing approximately 3,000 people. This, of course, taking place during the Bush presidency.

This, perhaps the darkest day in American history has been overlooked for what? A sly and ineffective shot at Obama’s competency as it pertains to national security? This, the Republican Party, the party which markets nationalism as a political party, the men and women who use the 9/11 terror attacks to justify barring Muslims from American planes, are somehow able to overlook these attacks when the point becomes semi-convenient? It is no easy task to simply “forget” 9/11. After all, we are surrounded by reminders. We have annual moments of silence and stricter airplane security. The entire Department of Homeland Security was born following the September 11th attacks.

And this is not first exhibition of the spectacular tunnel vision displayed by Obama’s harshest critics. Many times have I heard Obama called the “Worst President Ever” by men and women clearly unaware of the multiple impeachment proceedings we’ve made in our history as a nation. By people unaware, or perhaps just uncaring towards the blatant disregard Andrew Jackson showed for the United States’ system of checks and balances.

Tunnel vision begets depth but kills perspective. This has been a lesson taught by magicians the world over. The closer you look, the less you see. Open your eyes. Step back. See the world for more than what is visible in the present day.

Related Posts