Bill Press is a syndicated columnist and the co-host of CNN's Crossfire, which airs Monday-Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Bill Press: The day America dialed '911'

By Bill Press
Tribune Media Services

WASHINGTON (Tribune Media Services) -- Not many of us remember Pearl Harbor. But we will all remember the World Trade Center and the Pentagon: September 11, 2001 -- 9/11 -- the day America dialed 911.

What we experienced was worse than Pearl Harbor. It was the first attack by foreign interests on the American mainland. It did not occur in wartime. More people were killed.

And we don't even know who the enemy is.

We are united in feeling the same combination of shock, anger, frustration and helplessness. Shock, first of all, that such horrific carnage could happen in our own front yard. We grew up believing we were immune. We were Americans. We were the strongest, most powerful people on earth. No car bombs, suicide bombers, mindless killings here. But suddenly that comfort is gone. We are exposed. We are vulnerable. It hurts.

We are also pretty damned angry: outraged at the evil men and women who committed these despicable acts, as well as all those who assisted, harbored or supported them. And we are determined to get even, which is both understandable and justifiable. At a time like this, there's nothing wrong with revenge -- as long as we know whom to take revenge on.

We don't.

And that's our great frustration: how little we know. Why did we have zero advance knowledge of a threat to the United States? Where's our massive intelligence network?

How could a band of terrorists train for and carry out this mission inside the United States without raising suspicion of any authorities? Is it really possible that 50 zealots could outwit the combined forces of the CIA, the FBI, the INS, the FAA, the U.S. military and local law enforcement? And even now, as we resolve to strike back, why don't we know whom to strike back against and where?

No wonder we feel helpless. We want to do something and soon, but we don't know what. A military response, against organizers and supporters, is certainly appropriate, once we are certain of our targets. But military action alone is not enough. The context and consequences of this week's attack are much more complex and demand a much broader response.

We must first rethink military spending. We've been fighting the wrong war. We've been so busy building new aircraft carriers and bombers, preparing to fight yesterday's conventional war, that we've left ourselves exposed to today's unconventional terrorist warfare.

Prime example: no missile defense system could have stopped commercial airliners turned into suicide bombers. They couldn't stop a briefcase or Ryder truck, either. Missile defense is yesterday's pipe dream for yesterday's war. Forget about it. Spend money on anti-terrorism measures, instead, starting with a whole new security system at airports.

It's also time to reform our intelligence-gathering. We had no advance warning of the bombing of American embassies a couple of years ago; and none of the attack on the World Trade Center or Pentagon last week. Whatever system we have in place today is useless. Obviously, electronic technology is no substitute for human intelligence. The government infiltrated nonviolent groups in the 60's; we should have spies inside every terrorist organization today.

We also have to revisit our policies and actions in the Middle East, where most of the hatred against the United States comes from. We support Israel, and we should continue to do so. But we must also be open to, and supportive of, the legitimate claims of the Palestinians and others for self-determination. In modern times, under both Republican and Democratic presidents, the might of the United States has been used almost exclusively against Arab or Muslim peoples. That action was bound to unleash a reaction.

It will take us years to recover from this week's despicable acts of war against America. In many ways, we will never be the same. We face many difficult challenges. But by coming together and facing those challenges, we will not only recover, we will end up a better and stronger people than we are today.

A final, personal word. Last Sunday, on C-Span's "Washington Journal", I spent an hour debating the issues with Barbara Olson. As always, we disagreed on most topics. But we also laughed, agreed on a couple of things, and together condemned the personal attacks that too often discolor political debate. That was her last television appearance. Two days later, she was on board the plane that crashed into the Pentagon. I will miss her. I feel her loss and so does an entire nation.