Thoughts on 9/11

It's been too long since I've posted anything here lately. To be quite honest, I've been so fed up with all the hate and fear mongering going on in politics that I've tuned it all out. But lately, I've been far too opinionated about the most recent controversies to let this one go by the wayside. There have been several things that prompted me to sit down, log on, and start typing away - the so-called "Ground Zero Mosque", the church leader who wants to have a Quran burning bonfire on 9/11, and meeting kids who don't even know what happened that fateful day! I'll also throw in a rant about Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin, just for kicks.

It's hard to believe that those terrible attacks were 9 years ago. It's our generation's date that will live in infamy. I still remember where I was, what I was doing, and how I felt. I recently realized that my 9 year old sister has no recollection of that tragic event. My wife has piano students that weren't even alive and who have only a small idea of what "9/11" means because they heard their school teacher say something about it once. I visited Ground Zero a few years ago and it was one of the most moving experiences of my adult life. I will never forget it. The words on the memorial, "May We Never Forget", are forever etched into my mind.




As we commemorate 9/11 and honor those who died and those who risked their lives for others to live, let's take a look around the country at some totally inappropriate ways of doing so. Burning the Koran - appalling. For those of you who are wondering if anybody actually supports guy - the answer is yes. I read this on MSN this morning: Despite a general outcry against Rev. Jones' plan, the Florida pastor does have his supporters. A former Baptist minister in Springfield, Tenn. has said he will join in on the event and burn a Quran himself on Saturday and post a video of it on the Internet, according to a report by The Tennessean newspaper. "If they want to have their religion, they can have it somewhere else," said Rev. Bob Old, the former pastor who now runs an evangelical ministry called Disciples of Christ.


How can thes "pastors" call themselves Christian and think it's ok to burn the  holy writ of another religion. They are preaching hate and intolerance, and I can guarantee you that is not what Jesus would do! 


Another totally inappropriate way to commemorate - charging people $225 to listen to you talk about what a patriot you are. I'm talking to you Glenn Beck and Half-Governor Sarah Palin! Palin announced, "We can count on Glenn to make the night interesting and inspiring, and I can think of no better way to commemorate 9/11 than to gather with patriots who will 'never forget," And charging them $225 to do so, of course. Anything to turn a profit, right Governor? I hope everyone in the media cries foul for this, forcing them to donate 100% of ticket sales to 9/11 victim's families. Will the Republican party ever realize that these people are an embarrassment?


Lastly, let's talk about this "Ground Zero Mosque". I can honestly say that this is the first time in my life that I have agreed with ultra-liberal talk show host Keith Olbermann. There is no Ground Zero Mosque! First - it's several blocks away, not even in view of Ground Zero. Second- it's not a mosque or a future training ground for terrorists! It's a COMMUNITY CENTER. A mosque is for worship only, and this place will have a culinary school and a basketball court, and will be open to all. "Terrorist chefs. Terrorist point guards. What a threat!" 







Lastly, let's talk about hate and intolerance. I'm so sick of hearing ignorant people talk about this Mosque like it's the biggest possible insult to 9/11 victims and their families. Guess what, people? Islam did not attack us, a bunch of radicals who don't understand their own religion did! So you people are ok with going to war and losing thousands of American troops to FREE a Muslim country from a tryannical dictator, but you're not ok with letting them practice their freedoms in America, the Land of the Free?! Stop being so hypocritical. I think Mayor Bloomberg said it best ,

"On September 11, 2001, thousands of first responders heroically rushed to the scene and saved tens of thousands of lives. More than 400 of those first responders did not make it out alive. In rushing into those burning buildings, not one of them asked 'What God do you pray to?' 'What beliefs do you hold?'

"The attack was an act of war – and our first responders defended not only our City but also our country and our Constitution. We do not honor their lives by denying the very Constitutional rights they died protecting. We honor their lives by defending those rights – and the freedoms that the terrorists attacked.

"Of course, it is fair to ask the organizers of the mosque to show some special sensitivity to the situation – and in fact, their plan envisions reaching beyond their walls and building an interfaith community. By doing so, it is my hope that the mosque will help to bring our City even closer together and help repudiate the false and repugnant idea that the attacks of 9/11 were in any way consistent with Islam. "

I'll end with a quote from the beliefs of my own relgion...and believe me, we know a thing or two about not being allowed to worship where we want. "We claim the privilege of worshiping the Almighty God according to the dictates of our own consience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, and what they may."


I can think of no better way to commemorate 9/11, than by learning to be tolerant of all people and all relgions, and allowing them to practice their own freedoms - freedoms which so many people over hundreds of years have fought and died for.