On this, the anniversary of those heinous acts of savagery that tested the strength of American resolve, a country was simultaneously torn apart and brought together. Unconscionably, it was a war declared not only on America, but on Western style of governance and progressive thinking. I can't help but think of the many American lives that were lost on that day, and lost as a consequence of the acts of that day. And yet, I also think of the Iraqi and Afghani wives and mothers who have now lost their husbands and sons as a not often focused on consequence of this day.
Because of that day, America and the West went looking for revenge; albeit justified revenge. Because of Osama Bin Laden's callous disregard for human life, thousands of American lives were ruined and many families were torn apart. I am outraged that one man could bring a country to its knees, but our resolve was strong and we stood again. I am embarrassed that those odious acts led some to tread on the very liberties that helped to make this country great, but America still shines as a beacon for freedom and democracy. But I am more embarrassed that some Americans could watch the events unfold on that darkest of days and conclude that the deaths of so many were caused to forward the secret agenda of an American president. In fact I am beyond embarrassed; I am ashamed.
Finally, I am filled with pride as I watched, then and now, Americans come together and put aside differences to stand united against this threat to liberty. On September 11, 2001 there were not Christians, Jews or Muslims. The divide between Democrats and Republicans was no more. Black, White, Hispanic and Asian all stood as one people, aghast at the events they were watching unfold. To be sure, on that day we were all American. We were all free. And again today, in remembrance of those who died, we stand united!
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4 comments:
First of all, welcome back. Nice to get a post every pregnancy or so. Talk about lacking consistency. Anyway, this post is pitiable buddy, no offense. There are so many problems with it I'm unsure where to begin.
But I'll do my best.
First, there was no war declared by the few terrorists who committed suicide and brought down innocents with them. It was an isolated act by a fringe, extreme sect which has since engulfed into a legitimate force. I highly doubt it had anything to do with "western style of governance or progressive thinking." How about imperialism, support for Israel and extortion of oil in the Middle East. Not exactly progressive thinking, mind you.
Second, justified revenge is an oxymoron. You have much to learn as far as justice and reconciliation is concerned. You want to punish the dead for killing themselves? It was America that should've offered an apology. I'm sorry it's come to this. I'm sorry our disregard and manipulation has caused such hatred. War shouldn't have spawned. Love and apologies should have. Anyway, the concept of justified revenge is so silly I can write a book about it.
Third, 'our resolve was strong' what do you infer? Sounds to me like some imbecilic military hogwash. A soundbite.
Fourth ' a beacon for freedom and democracy.' You're really drinking that Senate kool-aid aren't you? We're free when gays are second-class? We're a beacon for freedom with the Patriot Act? We're free when the very city you live in doesn't have the right to vote? We're free that health care is a privilege and not a right? If that's freedom I prefer the 'stranglehold of Europe' anyday.
And finally, last I checked we're still very much divided. I mean, vehemently divided. So the Utopian sentiment is laughable.
Disclaimer: This doesn’t flow because I went through and responded to your points, rather than trying to create a narrative.
First of all, you say that these terrorists committed their acts and brought down innocents with them, as if killing innocent civilians wasn't their intention. Ludicrous. Bin Laden surely meant to kill civilians and was, in fact, delighted when the tower fell and killed more than he originally intended. I can’t believe I even have to address that point, where have you been living the past 8 years that you didn’t know that?
You highly doubt that it had anything to do with Western progressivism? What do you have to back up that claim? Or should we just believe you since you have so much experience studying and learning about Islamic Jihad? For your information, the Western style of thought and progressivism is that which lets women learn alongside of men. It is that which supports capitalism and freedom of enterprise, although, granted, those freedoms are limited to a certain extent. It is that which allows freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom for you to spout your ideas without regard to the practical implications of the things of which you speak.
What was isolated about this act? There were the attacks in 1993, the attacks in Bali, the attacks in Lebanon, the attacks to the USS Cole, the two attacks on our embassies, the attempted attacks most recently in Chicago and Dallas, and the attempted attack by Padilla. How isolated does that sound to you? And those don’t even include the attacks that are taking place in Europe and in the Middle East. In Pakistan, over 180 people have died just this month at the hand of the Taliban, who as you probably know, was the group that harbored Al Qaeda prior to 9-11. It is not a legitimate force, but it is surely a potent one. As demonstrated, these acts are not isolated.
So you think we extort oil from the Middle East? What about the $400 million a day we spend to get it? That doesn’t fit the definition of extortion. Furthermore, a glance at the top-ten list of countries from whom we import oil reveals that the Middle East hold only two of those slots; only one in the top five. I might be willing to accept that argument from you if you stopped riding in cars/buses/planes/anything that runs on gasoline. Until that day you remain hypocritical. But even if I did accept that argument, it doesn't change the fact that hijacking 4 planes and killing over 3,000 innocent civilians to make a political statement is a heinous act and cannot be justified for any reason.
Punish the dead for killing themselves? This is nonsensical. How about punishing Al Qaeda and its supporters for killing innocent civilians? That's what I support. If you as an organization support and espouse terrorism, there will be consequences.
How could you even suggest that we apologize for the events of 9-11? What did we ever do to deserve that? How would that accomplish anything? What kind of fairy tale do you live in, where a simple apology will cure all the evils of the world? It's as if you think these people deserved to die. It reminds me of Ward Churchill calling them "little Eichmann’s." Is that what you honestly think?
I sincerely wish that an apology would have solved the problem, but in the real world life isn't fair and that shit doesn't work. It may work in one of Coleman McCarthy's lofty books, but when put to the test the strong will always conquer the weak. Appeasement has been tried throughout history with disastrous consequences. Example one: Chamberlin appeasing Hitler. Example two: Native Americans appeasing the white devil who kept pushing them further and further west. Next time consider the practical implications of what you say.
So, your only argument against justified revenge is that you could write a book about it? How is that even remotely logical? Example: I think the name Conartist is so silly I could write a book about it. But I won't back up my claims with any numbers or facts because then my argument might fall apart.
Our resolve was strong because we pulled together as a nation and turned to face our enemies. We didn't launch off a couple of cruise missiles and pat ourselves on the back like the Clinton Administration did (although in his defense he didn't realize how potent the threat was). We firmly decided to go after the bastards who had attacked us on our own soil and sacrificed dearly for it. The very definistion of resolve.
So you think that other countries have more freedom than America? Name one. I challenge you to name a country with more freedoms (freedoms being defined as less restrictive government and, overall less laws to govern one’s life) than this one. And this time back it up with facts and numbers. I would honestly be interested to hear.
So the country is currently divided along partisan lines. My point wasn't that we all hold hands and get along, but rather that we are united in remembering the victims of that terrible tragedy. It is right there in the last sentence. However, in the spirit of unity, I should point out that President Obama won by a larger majority than any president since Reagan, so in a way we are more united than we have been in a long time.
Your witness.
Ok, here goes:
First, I claimed that war was not declared by the perpetrators of 9/11. That's it. War was called by the Bush Administration. Of course killing innocents was their intention I never said otherwise. Not sure where you got that notion...
Second, you've obviously listened to too much bloviation to attribute the terrorism to western society. Certainly these people reject western society, although I don't believe that caused them to hijack planes. It's deeper than that. Don't just take a cursory glance and repeat the dogma out of the demagogues. That's what bothered me more than anything else about your post. Seemed so utterly propagated. It's like what I'd expect to hear out of curmudgeon of the south.
Anyway, getting off topic. 9/11 isn't the only attack (or attempted attack) of course I'm cognizant of this. Though, it's not call for a war where hundreds of thousands are maimed! Not to the US's detriment as it inflamed and produces more terrorists, not fewer.
I make no justification for the atrocious actions by the Taliban or AlQaeda. None. But why inflame the situation?
I utilize oil products, but I make a concerted effort to minimize my impact. And I'm also a donor and outspoken advocate of alternative energy and renewable sources to mitigate our dependence on foreign oil. So it's not hypocritical. Anymore than you working for the Senate which passes votes you disagree with. We cannot live ascetic lives completely.
Instead of focusing on punishment and revenge (anger and reaction based), why shouldn't the focus be on promoting education and dialogue and diplomacy. I have no problem incarcerating rigid individuals who cling to violence. Though glorifying and enraging our nation's youth while exacerbating the problem abroad is nothing short of stupid.
Actually, a cursory glance at what matters most to many Muslims (like Palestinians and Iraqis) is apology goes further than geographical concession. That is, apologies actually matter more to most individuals than current debates. I believe it'd go a long way, but it's never tried and won't be. Because people like you with their matchoman attitude would consider that weakness. How wrong you are, and the proof is in the pudding.
I didn't say it would relieve the world from evil, but fighting fire with fire is nebbishy and counter productive. Your haughty dismissal of Colman McCarthy shows just how wrong you are. As he provides ample evidence of not only the righteous/moral path for peace but its practical ramifications. But it takes people like you to support it and stop refusing to believe in the only that will ever work. The pacifists know better than to be trivially dismissed by the 'wisdom' of realists.
This conversation can continue for hours. But I finish with this. Not until values change and people are filled with love and not hatred, forgiveness and not retribution and respect for the creatures of the world and not just of their skin color or nationality will we begin to solve these problems. I work everyday on a personal level to achieve this and hope I influence my friends and family on the way. I hope it spawns a chain reaction. (I'm also going to use an advanced degree to help educate and implement peace education and sustainable ways of living after attaining my MA). I'm not delusional to think evil will be eradicated or even these problems will go away anytime soon. But I'm taking the initial steps to make that possible.
And I'll tell you something, it's refreshing and powerful. So I implore you to stop rejecting what you consider naive or unrealistic. Because the reason it's unrealistic and naive is because good people don't take a stand for it.
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