This is something I've remarked upon before, with respect to "the terrorists hate our freedom" or "the suicide hijackers were cowards" (statements that are sheerly silly).
I think the terrorists et al. probably do hate our freedom -- e.g., our freedom to watch DVDs of people having sex. This fact may not be particularly useful in keeping from being attacked again (I for one am not willing to give up the right to watch DVDs of people having sex).
On the other hand, I agree that "the suicide hijackers were cowards" is sheerly silly, and I think it's pretty stupid that Bill Maher lost his job for saying the same.
I once read an argument (can't find source) that a key component of a zeitgeist is whether it locates its ideals in its future or its past.
David Brin has written about this in his discussions of Star Wars (here and here) and Lord of the Rings.
I nominate this for the next "Rationality Quotes".