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Please Don't Miss and
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Saturday, 09 September 2006
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Remembering September 10, 2001
Contributed by The Gray Dog For the next several days, ink splatters on newsprint, pixilated images wafting through the airwaves and burning brightly on millions of computer monitors will commemorate the emotional events of 9/11. As it is my nature to avoid crowds, I choose to focus on the America that existed on September 10, 2001. In looking back, it is difficult to contemplate 9/10 outside the context of 9/11. While researching the headlines from our last days of innocence, I expected to find some significant contrast to the news stories of today. After 9/11 and nearly five years into the Global War on Terrorism, I instinctively felt that America had to be fundamentally changed, more focused, perhaps more mature. But, then again, perhaps not. The following Chicago Tribune headlines from the thirty days leading to September 10th in both 2001 and 2006 tell the story. Immigration 2001 - “Immigration deal ‘must be fair,’ U.S. says White House will target lawbreakers.” While the White House has maintained a ‘fair but tough” stance on illegal immigration, no new laws or enforcement of existing laws appears to be imminent. Meanwhile, illegal aliens have become the envy of many hapless sports franchises, by picking up corporate sponsorship from a major beer distributor. After a rough week crossing through arid deserts and swimming the Rio Grande, “It’s Miller Time.’” President Bush 2001 - “Lawmakers battle Bush over secrecy; Executive privilege debate rages anew.” “Well, the liberals still have not forgiven Bush for ‘stealing’ the 2000 election. Their hatred is so blinding that they still will imperil our national security in an attempt to undermine our chief executive.” Israel 2001 - “Bombs rattle Jerusalem; Palestinians say blasts are reprisal for leader’s death.” “Israel still can do no right. It has no right to defend itself. It has no right to exist.” Osama bin Laden 2001 - “U.S. citizens alerted about possible threat.” Richard Boucher declined to comment on whether the threat came from Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, wanted in the 1998 U.S. Embassy attacks. “I’m waiting for the shrewd investigative reporter to announce that bin Laden has discovered a secret method of traversing the Space/Time continuum. How else does one explain that all headlines continue to report his activities of three to five years ago?” Rumsfeld 2001 - “’Rumsfeld poised to dump 2-war strategy. New Goal: Defeat one enemy, repel a second.” “Strategy or fantasy? Have we defeated an enemy or repelled them? The same questions remain unanswered.” North Korea 2001 - “North Korea proposes to renew talks with South.” “I guess the South decided to talk back.” Iran 2001 - “Iran cracks down again; detains liberal filmmaker.” “Where is the ACLU when you need it? How can anyone worry about nuclear programs at a time like this?” UN/Kofi Annan 2001 - “U.S., Israel abandon UN race summit; Powell denounces ‘hateful language’ in proclamation.” “Still the model of diplomatic efficiency, this anti-Semitic gathering of third world tyrants do nothing more than legally evade millions of dollars in NYC parking fines.” NY Yankees 2001 - 9/10: Yankees lead Boston in the A.L. East by 13 games. “Some things never change.” My research was intended to discover a naïve and narcissistic country five years ago. I am disheartened to admit that I only had to look at today to find it (so who is naive?). It is no wonder that we have not progressed. While we are engaged in a multi-front Global War on Terrorism, Americans at home are unaffected. There are no shortages, rationing, blackouts or shelters. Instead, we are blessed with a strong economy and abundance as we smugly sit in our comfortable living rooms anxiously awaiting a new season of American Idol. Except for the men and women of our military and their families and friends, there is no visible sign that America is in a struggle for its very survival. For most Americans, the biggest battle anticipated this weekend is between Peyton and Eli Manning. Are you ready for some football? While others rightfully remember the atrocities of 9/11, we should be mindful of 9/10. Nothing has really changed. Isn’t it time? |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on September 9, 2006 at 03:08 PM in , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Posted by: I'll hang it at the top of the site just before midnight Sunday night. 00:01 -- Bark Back, like every day. 00:02 -- Have You Forgotten? (mine). 00:03 -- This post. Posted by: | Sep 9, 2006 3:54:03 PM Posted by: Wonderful perspective. You took the words right out of my mouth, and made them literate. I'm puzzled by the Remember 9/11 zeal? Much of the country is convinced that we did the thing to ourselves, or deserved it anyway. I won't be watching any docu-dramas, or news specials about the event. I have enough anger for the perpetrators and their supporters already. I have enough anger for those who set in motion the forces HERE that allowed it to happen. Instead of a call to arms the process of Remembering 9/11 has devolved into another excuse to be victims. Politicians will don yet another 'hair shirt' (as in "I feel your pain") for a day or two, a myriad of talking heads will wring their hands in public, and I ain't interested! Posted by: | Sep 9, 2006 4:55:51 PM Posted by: And what will be the headlines on September 10, 2007 and September 10, 2008? Posted by: | Sep 10, 2006 3:19:39 PM |