9/11 – Am I the Only One?
In light of the 10th anniversary of 9/11 I have very mixed emotions about the commemorations. My first impression is that a lot of it is schmaltzy commercialism. You know, how can we get ratings and viewers to watch OUR programs – how can we sell more American stuff probably made in China – how can we jump on the election bandwagon and use the 9/11 card to gain votes?
I read about all these monuments that are going up all over the country in cities that have nothing directly to do with the events themselves , commemorating 9/11. Of course everyone in those small government meetings ooh’s and ahh’s – how can one say “No” to something honoring the American bravery, lost lives and affected families? Yes, of course, let’s spend tax payer money on a local monument to that horrible day instead of repairing roads, building the new library or having arts programs in schools.
Then the constant barrage of footage we need to see over and over again. “And now new footage of the destruction never before aired”….we all saw it, we all sat glued to our TV’s all day long watching in disbelief as those planes crashed into NYC and Washington DC.
It was horrible, it was a life changing event, it should never be forgotten nor should the heroism and loss be erased from our memories. But why do we celebrate loss and destruction? If these yearly honoring are for the families that lost – is that what they want in their memories to see that footage, to remember that particular day in their loved ones life or do they want forget and try to move on. If these endless tributes are not for them than for who?
I realize I am going out on a limb saying this stuff. That I risk the wrath of those who say I don’t understand, I had friends in that tower, or those who simply line up any time there is some flag waving celebration – that flag waving justifies any bad behavior. I understand terrorism is real and one cannot reason with unreasonable people. But have we triumphed or have the “evil doers”? And at what cost?
The obvious – how many lives lost in the 10 year war we are never going to win? How many billions spent? How many damaged lives? How many hurt and broken families on both sides? At what cost to our economy, our political system, our reputation, our own view of ourselves?
We now have a country based on fear and lack. It is a system of controlling us through fear based advertising (lawyers, drugs, aging, your kids, your family, your money). Fear based politics – vote for me and stop those who will attack you – your income, your healthcare, your future, your job and your savings. Fear based intrusion – we have to pat you down so you don’t blow up the plane, 95 year old lady in a wheelchair, we have to spend lots and lots of money on security and checking everything to insure you are really safe. Fear allows us to justify torturing our prisoners, and wire tapping of our citizens for our “own good”. Fear based prejudice and discrimination against those that don’t think like us or look like us because they must be a threat if they ain’t like me. Fear based salvation (ok what else is new on that front?). If you are gay or wear a head scarf or don’t embrace Jesus – you are not like me and must be bad, dangerous, and wrong.
It is all about FEAR.
And lack….fear begets lack. If I am afraid, I take no risk, I have no faith, and I feel lack. There is abundance and enough to go around. But instilling the feeling of lack brings on the sense of there is only so much and if I don’t get it before you, I will lose out. Look at those “haves” right now – corporations holding on to ginormous profits not putting it back into the economy so there could abundance. Rich finding more and more loop holes and methods to hold on to their money – there is no sharing – no “giving back”. There is only I gotta keep mine to make sure I am in better shape than you.
Isn’t it interesting when you look at most Americans and ask them what they really want. They want to work and earn a decent wage, have a safe and pleasant place to live, take care of their families, have a fall back if something bad happens – health, job, an accident – be healthy and feel safe. Ok, and maybe take a vacation once in a while. Am I naive? Is that really a lot to ask? Why the hell is it this battle, this standoff, this power play in Washington? Why is it “Them and Us”?
Why do we celebrate the sad and bad things that happen to us? Monuments to wars, monuments to assassinations, monuments to terrorism? Why not monuments to triumphs and celebrations of life and acts of kindness? Are these things only in the disguise of tragedy? I think not.
My heart aches when I think of 9/11 or when Kennedy and King and Kennedy were shot, or when I think of the victims of Katrina and all the other tragedies of Mother Nature. But my heart aches when I think of families losing their homes, or not getting medical help for a sick family member because they cannot afford insurance or of children left behind because of poverty and discrimination or the 36% of new college grads looking to their future and unable to get any work or people with skills and years of dedicated service callously dumped by their companies and unable to get new jobs.
The tragedy to look at, to think about is not reliving that horrible day in 2001, it is looking at what we are sitting in right now. The American dream so eroded we are not the golden shores of opportunity and hope. The loss of pride and trust in our businesses, our politicians or our economic system. And the sense of helplessness because we do not feel our voices are heard or our efforts and work appreciated.
In the words of Pogo “I see the enemy and the enemy is me.”
God Bless those of 9/11 and the rebuilding of One World Trade Center (aka; Freedom Tower) and the hope it brings
Tags: 9/11, American Dream, anniversary, Enemy, families, freedom, Twin Towers
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
September 11, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Very well said. Remember the past don’t live in it.