Tonight, I did the same thing I did last year on this day: I stood in the dark and listened to Mary Fahl’s “The Dawning Of The Day”, and I cried for people I never knew.
I hate jingoism, and I hate the way that so many people have used September 11th as a springboard for their own xenophobia, hatred and fear. But I refuse to allow their venality and stupidity to cloud my memory of that day, when I woke up and watched the world change forever. And I refuse to let them dishonor the memory of the dead — those who were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and those who went willingly into that place to save those who could not save themselves. I did not know anyone who died on September 11th, 2001, but I still believe it is right to mourn them and to feel pride in them, and in the way that our country — even if only for a very little while — forgot our differences to honor them.
This is the song I listened to.
Then I called my men to follow me knowing well that the view was dim Though tired and worn, how they fought all morn’ as time was closing in And my heart was sad though sore with pride for brave lads all were they As the angels fly, how they climbed so high on the dawning of the day
“But I refuse to allow their venality and stupidity to cloud my memory of that day, when I woke up and watched the world change forever.”
I have a hard time with this, a hard time feeling anything about it. Sometimes I feel like my memory has been erased. That morning is so far away — the past seven years of insanity and stupidity might as well be a century. The word ‘nine-eleven’ has become a lot like the word ‘God’: so much swindling and killing and betrayal has been done in its name that the meaning of the word has been annihilated. So every year I listen to this, to make myself remember:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1149823
Sarah Palin’s Miss South Carolina moment:
Charles Gibson: Miss Alaska, Do you agree with the Bush Doctrine?
Sarah Palin: (After a lengthy pause…) I personally believe that US Americans…some people don’t have maps…In what respect, Cheerlie? Ah gee…I’m just a hockey mom!
WHY THIS IS NOT FUNNY: This beauty queen might actually BE the President of the United States if McCain expires while in office. The chances are one in three he just might according to the Actuary Tables!
Cut & paste this link to see more: http://jezebel.com/5048966/sarah-palin-do-you-think-you-can-stomach-four-more-years-of-nucular?autoplay=true