| May 17, 2006 ~ The piece below was, as it says, written shortly after the events of September 11, 2001. Reading it now I realize that it may be a bit obtuse to some of you; but I have decided to let it stand as written since to me to do otherwise would be akin to attempting to rewrite history. At the time, I was obviously in a somewhat philosophical mood, a bit angry, but philosophical; for I was as angry at the reaction of the American public as I was that of the Islamic World. And I was angry at the Islamic World, not just the terrorists. I was angry at the celebrations in the streets of Islamic countries. I was angry at those in this country, as well as others, who seemed to "humm and ahh" and make excuses for an act of mass murder. I was angry at my fellow Americans who, not totally unlike their counterparts in the Islamic World, wrapped themselves in their faith - excluding all others, including their fellow Americans who may not share the same religious beliefs. As a non religious person, I feel on one hand ignored and on the other caught up in some kind of religious war in which I do not understand either side. It is not a comfortable feeling. I was angry at my fellow Americans who wrapped themselves in platitudes and who thought that the world ought to end just because something bad happened - which, of course is just what the bad guys want. I was angry at certain family members of the 911 victims, family members who seemed, and still seem, in my opinion, to be basking in reflected glory.  To put things in perspective: Let us not call everyone "heroes." There were legitimate heroes, of course, people who voluntarily risked their own lives to save others; but most of those who died on that day now over five years ago were simply unfortunate people who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time and, and because of that, became murder victims. Death is always sad, and murder especially so; but, is the grief felt by the survivors of the 911 murder victims any greater, or deserving of any greater sympathy, than that of any other who has lost a loved one through horrendous circumstances? Right now there are thousands of people in this country who, if not exactly alone in their grief, they do not have any mass outpouring of sympathy, nothing, no memorial beyond a plain gravesite, if that, to let them know that their loved one is remembered. Certainly there has been no "financial compensation" even though most of them probably need it more than the families of the 911 survivors. Working at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, pretty good jobs by most standards. Bet most the victims had good insurance. On the other hand, if you have to work in a convenience store to support yourself and those you love and some nitwit, who should not have been allowed to carry a gun, comes along and shoots you, what are whose you love left with? Memories mostly. Now, I am realistic enough to know that compensation on the order of that which was given to the survivors of 911 is not practical and just isn't going to happen. I just believe we ought to think about these things. |
 Written shortly after the events of September 11, 2001 I finished dressing and sat down on the old beat up chair in front of the television to put on my shoes. The morning news was on and some man was hawking a book he had just written about Howard Hughes. Suddenly the station broke away for a developing news story. There was a fire atop one of the towers of the World Trade Center. Someone said it looked as though a plane had flown into it and they were treating the whole matter as a bizarre accident. I couldn't help but notice that there was a pretty big hole, the kind I figured no little single engine plane would make; and, it looked like a clear day to me, the kind of day when the twin towers should have been clearly visible from some distance and therefore easy to avoid. I suspected terrorism right away, so kept watching which I would not have done if I had thought it just an accident. I am not one of those who likes to watch things like fires and car crashes, accidents; but, this: this was history in the making! ****** Finally I looked down to finish tying my shoes; but then somebody on tv made a loud sound, said something, cried out, I am not sure; just a noise it was to my ears, but it caused me to look up just in time to see the second plane fly into the other tower. From the camera angle shown on tv I couldn't really see the second tower or the plane hit. I just saw the explosion. The second tower was pretty much hidden from view by the first tower so when it began to collapse the impression I got was just that the top had fell down. Only later did I learn different. When the first tower went... Gee Whiz Gosh Golly Whiz Bang! I have so many thoughts about this whole matter. I guess most Americans do; but, first let me state this: One of my internet pals once told me: "I met a man who had no feet and I am sorry; but, I still have no shoes." It isn't very politically correct. The world is supposed to turn. and, everything be put in a different perspective. but, you know, I am sorry about what happened in New York, I am really sorry. I am angry too. but, life goes on. I have much the same concerns and problems that I did before. I like the same things I did before. I dislike the same things I did before; and, have much the same opinions. These opinions give rise to thoughts or maybe vice versa. Nowadays both, more than previously, concern the Middle East. Not that I never thought about that part of the world before; but, with all that is happening now, and all I hear constantly in the news, and even on the street, how can I help but not think about what is very aptly described as "that mess over there." How can I help but not think about how it concerns me. and, how can I not think about it even when it doesn't concern me? ****** Certainly as an agnostic I find myself in a more uncomfortable position than usual. I am not a person of faith. "Faith." That's the new buzz word in this image conscious world. Somebody decided that the term "religion" has too many negative connotations and IMO rightly so! Throughout time religion has caused more misery than anything this history buff can think of and it is still doing it! Anyone who doesn't think so is just putting on the blinders of political correctness. I have no doubt that many people around the world are unhappy with American foreign policy. I am not so happy with some aspects of it myself; but, those people over there demonstrating in the streets in places like Afghanistan, the people who give people like bin Laden their real power, how much you figure they know about international politics? | |
| "They"* meaning "us" currently otherwise known as Americans and Jews.
And I never hear anything about the reasons for anti-Israeli and anti-American feelings over there given by the "official" representatives, otherwise known as "spin doctors," over here who appear on talk shows and news programs. No, the reasons given by the "man on the street" over there always seem to be of a religious nature. Hatred and bigotry are not unique to white anglo-saxon Americans and they are always ugly things! | Listening to them not much.
Hitler wanted to kill all Jews. These people want to kill all Jews and Americans. Ask them why. "They* are unbelievers." To which I plead guilty and then some. I don't believe in their god or the god of any religion that I am aware of. I am willing to accept the possibility of some force out there if you want to call that God ; but, it for sure isn't the God of the Bible, Torah, or the Koran. So Muhammed over there wants to kill me because I don't believe in his god. John Q. Public over here wants to force me in a position where I have to swear allegiance to his god; and I am rather pointedly ignored by just about all the memorial services since they are for "people of faith." |
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