September 25, 2001: Open Lines - To War or Not
Callers opposed to war cite past U.S. foreign policy failures, the risk of escalation into World War III, and concerns about killing innocent Afghan civilians. Supporters counter that the attacks represent the clearest act of war in modern history and that failing to respond would only embolden future terrorism. Art pairs callers from opposing sides in spontaneous on-air debates, letting them argue directly with each other.
Throughout the evening, Art expresses astonishment at how quickly the initial post-attack unity has begun to fracture. He warns that the window of opportunity for military action may be closing as public resolve weakens, and he shares his own view that those responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans must be removed from the equation with prejudice.
Key Moments
Nostradamus Century 1, Quatrain 87: First caller of the war debate quotes Nostradamus' Quatrain 87 -- 'Earth-shaking fire from the center of the world will make the new city tremble' -- and refuses to support retaliation.
Reuters won't call bin Laden a terrorist: Caller Kurt from Michigan and Art discuss Reuters' decision to drop the word 'terrorist' from coverage -- 'one person's terrorist is another person's freedom fighter' -- and Reagan's prior praise of bin Laden as a freedom fighter.
Are we Rome? The Israel-Palestine debate: Caller argues U.S. weapons to Israel make America 'Rome' to the Islamic world; Art and caller wrestle with whether retaliation will trigger World War III.
Lollipops vs. justice -- the on-air debate: Two callers spar live: John in Winnipeg argues collateral damage disrespects the dead and demands accountability for Sharon; the Texas caller mocks 'send a shipment of lollipops' as the pacifist alternative.
Crop dusters and the next attack: Tim from Kansas City and a counter-caller debate whether war or peace talks can stop further attacks; warning that the next target could be a stadium of 50,000 football fans, with crop-duster bioterror reports already circulating.