So What Does this Mean?

Today is Tuesday September 11, 2012.

Notice I didn't say 9/11.

Tuesday September 11, 2001.  All of us who were alive then remember that day.

No need to recap.  We all know what happened.

Don't we? 

I'll get back to that.

Where was I?  When I heard, I was driving to work, listening to Howard Stern.  At the time, I lived in Baltimore, Maryland, and worked south of the city.  I'd just left rte 695 onto rte 2 when Gary came in to tell Howard that a second plane had hit.  And Howard Stern was silent... for a moment.

At work, my boss at this time was this short guy.  We'll call him Bob.  Bob was maybe 5'4". and had the high and tight crew cut.  he said he was a US Navy medic, but worshipped the Marines.  He was no longer on active duty.  And he hated me.  Why?

I'm a Liberal.

He did his best to force me to quit.  Stuff that should've ended with him on the floor in a pool of his own blood.  But I needed the job.

In any case, Bob was telling everyone to "shut up and do your jobs."  He said this to many people, especially those not under his command.  Which was easy, as I was his only minion.  meanwhile, some women in accounting had the news on a small TV that they used to watch soap operas during lunch.  Everyone kept going over to their cubicles to watch.  I kept trying to call my wife, who was at home having recently been laid off.  But the lines were busy- so many people calling everywhere.

I finally said "f*ck it!  I need to do something to help!"

Bob told me to "Sit down and shut up."

I stood, went to the CEO's office (small company- we were on a first name basis) and said I wanted to go give blood to help.  He leaned back in his chair and said "Godspeed."

So I went back to my desk, shut down my computer and Bob threatened to fire me for job abandonment.  I told him I was going to give blood.  He fumed until the CEO came out of his office and announced that anyone wishing to go give blood or go home could do so. 

I went home and picked up my wife.  She and my neighbors (a couple) went to the Red Cross blood center.  I joined the line, which was outside the door, and was told it would be hours.  I said I was staying.  My one neighbor said that he had to go, he had a sailing lesson (he was taking his captain's course.)  My wife drove my other neighbor home.  After they left, I was interviewed by a TV crew.  (And I made it on TV too!)  Inside, there was a TV playing the news coverage.

I was there eight hours before I my number was called.  At about the 6th hour, Bush came on TV.  Everyone went silent.

I remember thinking "Ok, you SOB, you may have stolen the job, but here's your chance.  Inspire us.  Lead us!"

I remember being profoundly disappointed in his speech, and I wasn't alone.

When it was my turn, I laid on the gurney and looked up at the very tired phlebotomist.  She came in at 7 Am for her five hour shift, and was staying- without pay.  They couldn't afford to pay her.  She, and all the others, were there because of their sense of duty. 

My wife arrived as I was bleeding for my country.

And then we went home.

Next day, I went to work.  Bob was angry beyond words at me, but couldn't touch me.  I asked him what he did for his country yesterday.  He said he did enough during his time in the service.

When Bush used that day as an excuse for his illegal war, I asked Bob if he was going to re-enlist.  After all, medics were in demand, and he was still young.  He absolutely refused.  "They don't need me."  At that time, I was too old to serve.  However, he loved watching the pictures of Iraqis getting bombed to hell and reading about our troops as they fought across Iraq.

I say he is a coward.

In the end, we lost over 6000 soldiers in Iraq.  Over ONE MILLION total people died.  An entire generation of Soldiers went over there again and again.  They have scars both physical and mental.

Halliburton, whose "former" CEO was vice president, made literally over a hundred Billion dollars from the US taxpayer for that war.  And not ONE "conservative" cared- didn't say a word.  Not one. Not until a democrat was elected anyway

Now we learn that Bush knew more than a few months in advance that Bin laden intended to attack.  Also, Clinton left them detailed intelligence discussing Al Qaeda.  Ignored.

Some say Bush planned it all.  Is it possible?  After living through that time, I say that nothing evil was beyond the scope of that junta.  So I say it's possible.  Not probable.

The GOP in congress denied the volunteers at the WTC site medical care.  Until yesterday.

So for Eleven years, those who Volunteered to help were denied their due.

Those three firefighters in that famous picture?  Hope they didn't get sick, because they would've been out of luck.

Volunteers.  And the GOP spat in their faces.

So.  Do we know what happened?

We'll never know what happened.

Because Bush won't talk.  And Cheyney sure as hell won't.  Nor will Karl "Let's out a spy and get away with it" Rove.

Bush wanted to call September 11 "Patriots Day."  That turns my stomach.  Why?  because the GOP co-opted the term for THEIR agenda.  Patriot Act. Referring to any republican as a "Patriot" (and saying that anyone who was not a member of the Party wasn't a patriot.)  Tea Party "Patriots." 

Patriots my ass!

September 11 is a somber day.  It's a day we here in America should reflect on our loss and assess where we've come since, and strive to make this a Better country.

Bin Laden is dead at the orders of President Obama.  Many others involved in that day are going to get justice.

Many others will NOT.

Let's call this day what it IS:  A Day of Remembrance.

For many years starting in 1919, Americans would stop what they were doing at exactly 11 AM on November 11th.  They observed a minute of silence.  Veterans would salute.  This was to commemorate the End of the Great War.  They called it Armistice Day, as the armistice was signed at 11 AM, November 11, 1918.  11th Hour, 11th Day, 11th month.

At the end of World War II, Armistice Day was changed, officially to also honor the veterans of that war as well.  It is now known as Veterans Day here in the US.  In France and the UK, it is still Armistice Day.

Here in the US, it's a day that some people lay wreaths at memorials. 

Veterans of the Great War continued to hold that moment of silence, even if no one else did.

Now all of them, from all countries are gone.  As is the moment of silence at 11 AM.

Is that the fate of Our moment of silence?

How will future generations remember this day?  What about the generation born right after it happened?  How will THEY view this day?  To them that day is Ancient history.  And their children? 

Nearly 3,000 people died that day.  6,294 people were treated for injuries.

It defines our generation.

honor those who died by ASKING QUESTIONS.  Honor them by demanding accountability.  Honor them by making sure their deaths aren't used to kill more innocent people. 

Honor them by making sure that it never happens again.  None of it.