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A front-row seat to the Republicans' debate over foreign policy, including their critique of the Biden administration.

Now I remember why President Bush urged people to go about their daily lives

One of the many caricatures that has arisen in the years since 9/11 is the charge that President Bush’s primary exhortation to the American people in the aftermath of the tragedy was simply to "go shopping." I have heard this charge countless times, usually offered as a laugh line, in the manner of a snarky ...

By Peter Feaver

April 17, 2013, 4:14 PM

One of the many caricatures that has arisen in the years since 9/11 is the charge that President Bush’s primary exhortation to the American people in the aftermath of the tragedy was simply to "go shopping." I have heard this charge countless times, usually offered as a laugh line, in the manner of a snarky late-night comedian’s monologue about "how dumb can someone be to think that shopping is a response to terrorism?"

In some of his early remarks after 9/11, President Bush did urge not to be afraid to "go shopping for their families," as part of a general appeal not to be intimidated from an ordinary daily routine. And he even encouraged Americans to "go to Disneyworld," as part of broader appeal to renew confidence in the safety of air travel.

Of course, he also made it clear that the struggle against terrorists would involve many other sacrifices and, over the years, much more was asked of the American people. But President Bush also made it clear that the terrorists would like to intimidate us out of normal living and that if we give into that fear we can compound the damage inflicted by the terrorists. So part of a comprehensive response that mobilized all elements of national power — military, diplomatic, intelligence, law enforcement, economic, and psychological — would involve ordinary Americans refusing to surrender to fear of terrorists.

I am reminded of this when I hear President Obama praise the way Bostonians have refused to be cowed or when I see Thomas Friedman suggest that a rational response to the Boston terror attack is to "schedule another Boston Marathon as soon as possible." Friedman is not alone in responding this way, and some even argue that embracing resilience in the face of terror is as important as trying to prevent or avenge the terror.

I think resilience — including the psychological resilience with which a society refuses to give into terrorist intimidation — is indeed an important response. For most Americans it may be their most tangible and practical way to connect their own daily lives to the broader societal challenge.

I do wonder, however, whether the current reasonable response will get caricatured as did Bush’s reasonable response.

Peter D. Feaver is a professor of political science and public policy at Duke University, where he directs the Program in American Grand Strategy.