I think Eben articulated himself poorly. It wouldn't be the first time
What I believe he means is that 9/11 happened as a radical response to US foreign policy over many years. We certianly didn't deserve it, but it would be foolish to think our behavior didn't in some way shape the actions that led to it.
It's the absolute denial of this which makes the Bush foreign policy extremely dangerous to our future. We don't have to ceed anything, but we do need to listen to what history has to teach. Otherwise we'll continue to make the same mistakes, and as we all know the stakes are now much higher.
That's what you meant Eben...right???
-spence