September 25, 2001: Open Lines - To War or Not

Art Bell opens the phone lines two weeks after the September 11th attacks to gauge a growing undercurrent of anti-war sentiment he has detected in his email. He reads provocative listener messages arguing against military retaliation, then fields calls from across the country representing sharply divided opinions on whether America should strike back.

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.