9-11 to the War in Iraq

It is interesting to consider the dynamics of the construction of the 9-11 narrative because it tends to separate rather easily into the categories of confusion and of clarity.  As the towers fell and the next few days passed, there was absolute fear and discord.  Yet as the weeks passed, the enemy came into focus and the goal became clear; get Bin Laden and dismantle Al Qaeda.  Yet this goal proved more complex than it initially seemed.

Soon confusion was upon us once again with the War in Iraq and its relation, or lack thereof, with the 9-11 attacks.  As information sporadically emanated from the government, the general situation became more and more convoluted, and resolution and sense became a complete impossibility.  Eventually, it was acknowledged that we could not look back with an accurate eye, so the focus was to be the future.  At this moment, the role of the media was reconstituted.  The media was not to make sense of the fray, it was to put an end to it and start life anew.  We had fallen from grace and needed a fresh start.