On December 7, 1941 2388 people were killed including 48 civilians. The next day our President offered these words, in part:

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again. [emphasis added]

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God. - Franklin D. Roosevelt - Dec. 8, 1941

Later we learned that one of our adversaries was concerned:

"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." - Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

On September 11, 2001 2973 people were killed, including 125 military personnel. We've had no declaration of war so I can't offer any speech worthy of citation. We DO have many who believe we did the deed ourselves, or at least deserved it.

Our enemy mocks us and invites us to join him.

On the fifth anniversary of the event politicians will posture and pundits will wring their hands or beat their chests.

Nothing will change. I'll skip it, no TV, no blogs, no newspapers, the taste is too bitter.

Contributed by Zero Ponsdorf on September 9, 2006 at 06:22 PM in 9/11, Current Affairs, Zero Ponsdorf | Permalink

Comments

Posted by: The Gray Dog

Zero,

I understand your bitterness. It is appropriate when directed at the politicians and and the pseudo-patriots that will forever each year come out waving their new flags purchased for the occasion and speechify us to death, only to stuff the flags in a closet the next day.

Also, like yourself, I find no need to watch a docu-drama diluted by the Clintonistas.

However, I am sure you will join those of us that will observe our own non-public rememberance of the first responders that gave their lives that day. Yes the innocent should be remembered as well, but by definition they were just that; innocent victims. The police and firemen that entered the twin towers that day displayed bravery and valor equal to any found on the battlefield.

Yes, it is a bitter pill to watch the "slogans" attributed to 9/11. "9/11 the Day that changed America" makes me want to vomit, because the majority of Americans have not changed. In fact I would say no one changed. Those of us already aware of the threat, only had our beliefs reaffirmed. The rest of the Johnny-come-lately's, have since buried their flags and t-shirts conveniently next to their heads in the sand.

Posted by: The Gray Dog | Sep 9, 2006 8:35:50 PM

Posted by: ponsdorf

"However, I am sure you will join those of us that will observe our own non-public rememberance of the first responders that gave their lives that day."

There again, that's something I do virtually every day, since well before 9/11. Wife here is an RN who worked for years in an ER. Kinfolk and friends who are (or have been) Firemen or in LE.

Posted by: ponsdorf | Sep 10, 2006 12:34:22 AM

Posted by: John

Zero: Lazy way out, but I'm snowed under today.

What The Gray Dog said. And you. Amen to both.

Posted by: John | Sep 10, 2006 2:17:12 PM

Posted by: John

Zero: Lazy way out, but I'm snowed under today.

What The Gray Dog said. And you. Amen to both.

Posted by: John | Sep 10, 2006 2:17:25 PM

Posted by: Rurik

I did not change. I knew something was bound to happen. My response to "day that changed..." is "I told you so, you fucking fools."
Now we are back to status quo ante - a few symbolic sacrifices, mainly consisting of harassing ourselves by frisking old people in airports. And we make extraordinary gestures to avoid offending muslims, furthering our dhimmification process. So the allegedly moderate asswipes of Dearborn and Los Angeles are offended by Danish cartoons? I don't fucking CAIR! In 1917 for far less of an offense we renamed Sauerkraut and banned the music of Beethoven. This is why my feelings of kinship extend only to those how are serving in the military, police and EMT services, and to those who once served in the past. To those who remember only one day of the year, I say - you are not really Americans, just lodgers. And messy ones at that. For some of us, every day is September 11.

Posted by: Rurik | Sep 10, 2006 3:49:45 PM

Posted by: ponsdorf

Yep!

Posted by: ponsdorf | Sep 10, 2006 4:27:54 PM

Posted by: Gene Harrison

Rurik:
I was watching this 9/11 crap, and finally turned to OWD. Not only are you more than correct, you awakened memories of old friends who died for this country, and for whom I am now ashamed.

Posted by: Gene Harrison | Sep 10, 2006 6:00:06 PM