I remember driving early in the morning because my wife and were moving from one side of Los Angeles to the other. When the news came in that a plane had hit the building, I said this is bad, we've probably been attacked and war will come.
She told me I was overreacting. Then the news came that a second plane had hit the other tower, and we both knew I was right.
It was a terrible day that still haunts us, seemingly forever coloring policy and relationships here and around the world.
Here are the words of Will Selber in today's Bulwark...
They really cause me to stop and reflect.
"I HATE 9/11. I hate the commemorations, the Facebook posts blaring “Never Forget,” and the empty declarations that we will stand vigilant.
I didn’t always feel this way. I used to religiously watch the annual ceremonies. And I’d rewatch footage of the horrific event itself. Seeing the iconic images again helped steel my resolve and propelled me to stay dialed in to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They motivated me to fight.
But ever since 2021, when Kabul fell, I have come to despise the public remembrances of 9/11. Why? Because almost nobody speaks truthfully about the wars that followed.
Now I use the anniversary to take stock of all that happened after that day of terror. I look back on my friendships and see what the wars did to us, the 9/11 generation. Specifically, I look at my two best friends, Mike and Alex, and wince at the toll these “forever wars” took on the few who fought them.
If we really want to “Never Forget,” we must remember not only the events of the day but also what we lost in the wars that followed, and what we’re still at risk of losing."
If we Never Forget while in the process of remedying the errors of our own former and present negative ways it will be a superbly fine evolution indeed.
I remember, a few days after the attack, reading an article by a British woman about it. She happened to be employed as a counselor to sexual-assault victims. She was writing about how a few (not many) pundits in the British media had been writing as if the attack were the US's own fault in some way, talking about various past actions they claimed had "provoked" al-Qâ'idah.
She wrote that she had been wondering why this bothered her so much, and she had finally figured it out. The way those pundits were talking about the US was exactly the same as the way some people talk about rape victims, that they "brought it on themselves" in some way or "provoked" the person who assaulted them. Exactly the same. And the blame-the-victim mentality was and is exactly the same in both situations.
It was just a few pundits being assholes, but still disturbing.
Lest the GOP and the MAGA right try and claim the day, let me just share one name...
Senator Tommy Tuberville, an ex college football coach from the state of Alabama. Tuberville single handedly, over a matter of policy, is damaging the readiness of the US military. By blocking the confirmation of and promotion of officers in our military, he is creating an unneeded crisis of leadership in our armed forces. The leadership he is sidelining are the very people who if we are attacked, must direct the counter attack and lead our defense.
As of today, there is no confirmed leader of the Marine Corps, Army or Navy.
How does this help us prevent, or God forbid, respond to another 9/11?
And why does the GOP support Tuberville or refuse to change the rules to get our military and our soldiers the leadership and support they need?
Arguing that there are terrorist sympathizers in the United States, Donald Trump said he saw "thousands" of New Jerseyans celebrating after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
"I watched when the World Trade Center came tumbling down," Trump said at a Nov. 21, 2016, rally in Birmingham, Ala. "And I watched in Jersey City, N.J., where thousands and thousands of people were cheering as that building was coming down. Thousands of people were cheering."
Infidel763, my comment was in no way meant to imply that the 911 criminals were in any way justified in their actions. They were barbaric, inhuman.
I still struggle with the colossal waste of money and life in both Afganistan and Iraq will litle to nothing to show for it.
However, unless and until this nation understands that our own actions, and the effects of those actions, often have conseqences globally on others we do run the constant risk of war, destruction, and loss of life.
Isn't it about time we figure out the only truly sensible way to exist in a globalized world and economy is through undestanding and cooperation with a lot of compromise?
Or, there is the alternative... it's up to us all.
Wow Dave, i was until now unaware of this. Leaving critical miltary leadership posistion vacant is the height of stupidity in my view. I'm adamantly opposed to offensive military action but defense strength, including leadership positions is absolutely neccessary.
11 comments:
I remember driving early in the morning because my wife and were moving from one side of Los Angeles to the other. When the news came in that a plane had hit the building, I said this is bad, we've probably been attacked and war will come.
She told me I was overreacting. Then the news came that a second plane had hit the other tower, and we both knew I was right.
It was a terrible day that still haunts us, seemingly forever coloring policy and relationships here and around the world.
Here are the words of Will Selber in today's Bulwark...
They really cause me to stop and reflect.
"I HATE 9/11. I hate the commemorations, the Facebook posts blaring “Never Forget,” and the empty declarations that we will stand vigilant.
I didn’t always feel this way. I used to religiously watch the annual ceremonies. And I’d rewatch footage of the horrific event itself. Seeing the iconic images again helped steel my resolve and propelled me to stay dialed in to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They motivated me to fight.
But ever since 2021, when Kabul fell, I have come to despise the public remembrances of 9/11. Why? Because almost nobody speaks truthfully about the wars that followed.
Now I use the anniversary to take stock of all that happened after that day of terror. I look back on my friendships and see what the wars did to us, the 9/11 generation. Specifically, I look at my two best friends, Mike and Alex, and wince at the toll these “forever wars” took on the few who fought them.
If we really want to “Never Forget,” we must remember not only the events of the day but also what we lost in the wars that followed, and what we’re still at risk of losing."
If we Never Forget while in the process of remedying the errors of our own former and present negative ways it will be a superbly fine evolution indeed.
But not holding breath.
I remember, a few days after the attack, reading an article by a British woman about it. She happened to be employed as a counselor to sexual-assault victims. She was writing about how a few (not many) pundits in the British media had been writing as if the attack were the US's own fault in some way, talking about various past actions they claimed had "provoked" al-Qâ'idah.
She wrote that she had been wondering why this bothered her so much, and she had finally figured it out. The way those pundits were talking about the US was exactly the same as the way some people talk about rape victims, that they "brought it on themselves" in some way or "provoked" the person who assaulted them. Exactly the same. And the blame-the-victim mentality was and is exactly the same in both situations.
It was just a few pundits being assholes, but still disturbing.
Never forget. Never forgive.
Lest the GOP and the MAGA right try and claim the day, let me just share one name...
Senator Tommy Tuberville, an ex college football coach from the state of Alabama. Tuberville single handedly, over a matter of policy, is damaging the readiness of the US military. By blocking the confirmation of and promotion of officers in our military, he is creating an unneeded crisis of leadership in our armed forces. The leadership he is sidelining are the very people who if we are attacked, must direct the counter attack and lead our defense.
As of today, there is no confirmed leader of the Marine Corps, Army or Navy.
How does this help us prevent, or God forbid, respond to another 9/11?
And why does the GOP support Tuberville or refuse to change the rules to get our military and our soldiers the leadership and support they need?
Never forget that Donald Trump's initial reaction to 9/11 was to boast that after the towers fell he suddenly owned the tallest building in downtown Manhattan.
Trump also boasted that he gave $10,000 to the 9/11 fund. There is no record of him giving any money to the 9/11 fund.
GOPers want this terrible human being to be POTUS again?
Arguing that there are terrorist sympathizers in the United States, Donald Trump said he saw "thousands" of New Jerseyans celebrating after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
"I watched when the World Trade Center came tumbling down," Trump said at a Nov. 21, 2016, rally in Birmingham, Ala. "And I watched in Jersey City, N.J., where thousands and thousands of people were cheering as that building was coming down. Thousands of people were cheering."
This was a lie as well.
Infidel763, my comment was in no way meant to imply that the 911 criminals were in any way justified in their actions. They were barbaric, inhuman.
I still struggle with the colossal waste of money and life in both Afganistan and Iraq will litle to nothing to show for it.
However, unless and until this nation understands that our own actions, and the effects of those actions, often have conseqences globally on others we do run the constant risk of war, destruction, and loss of life.
Isn't it about time we figure out the only truly sensible way to exist in a globalized world and economy is through undestanding and cooperation with a lot of compromise?
Or, there is the alternative... it's up to us all.
Wow Dave, i was until now unaware of this. Leaving critical miltary leadership posistion vacant is the height of stupidity in my view. I'm adamantly opposed to offensive military action but defense strength, including leadership positions is absolutely neccessary.
America's s Chickens came home to roost
"Lisa said...
America's s Chickens came home to roost"
And that means...what?
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