After sifting through endless jargon, I feel that I can summarize all of Rishi Kundi’s points into one long-winded, yet effective sentence (“Scholars must remember they’re Americans,” SN 10/4). I interpret he says that we (being Americans) must maintain a low level of objectivity and scrutiny toward the Sept. 11 tragedy and the actions by the U.S. government in response to these attacks because sympathy for the injured and dead American civilians overrides any critical analysis of this situation. (Phew.)

I find this idea to be false. When a mother raises a child, does she inform the child of every wrongdoing she has committed throughout her life? Of course not. She wants the child to grow up trusting her and the decisions she makes for the child. This is the same with the U.S. government and the American public.

Do we really think we know all the wrongdoing of the government? It keeps us in the dark about many of the immoral activities it partakes in. Don’t get me wrong, the people that devised this horrific attack were sick and twisted, but even the sickest of people have a motive behind their actions. I believe that motive may have something to do with an untold wrongdoing by our government.

This is precisely why we must be highly objective and critical of every action our leaders take. If we sit idly by it may worsen the already touchy situation and intensify the threat of terrorism.

Chris Babbitt
no-preference sophomore