What We Forgot When We "Never Forget"

Bells will be tolled and the names will be read. Documentaries will replay what happened and newscasters will explain in detail the events of that hideous day...each trying to show a bit more insight than the last.
But the next thing to follow, in the hours or days to come, will be a common chord. We will hear people talking about how they long for the unity this country felt on September 12th, 2001...how moving it was to see Americans, outside party lines, rally around one another. That day will be longed for.
Me?
I have no such desire.
I wish for an America two days before that.

Overall and as a human experience, 9-11 was not unique. Our country, for a few short days, banded together like countless villages and towns over time. It is what others have done before, after, and during great fires. It was similar to the way the Collective formed bailing lines to quench the flames. It is how ancient shipping and island communities would cling together to escape typhoons and tsunamis.

After these, there was always a great sense of camaraderie.

Because, honestly, that is what people are truly talking about, isn't it?

On a smaller scale, it is also similar to how small family reunions form at funerals. The death brings people together who have not seen each other in years. It forges bonds.

Is the loss, whether one person's life or half a town, worth a short-lived fellowship? You cannot have one without the other, for in scenarios like this, the two are bound.
By seeking the unity of September 12th...you are, if unconsciously, seeking the horror of the day before. The two are conjoined twins.

I long for the America before we simply chose to torture people. I want back the place where true "common sense" ruled and not some sort of negotiated idea of Justice or a Machiavellian land where anything can be justified in name of "national security."

I want the time when torture was torture and not something else because White House lawyers were able to contort phrases into giving the Administration cover to do just about anything they chose...even doing it sometimes to Americans.

Or when the People understood the Government cannot simply hold an individual forever. We knew, every person, deserved a FAIR trial, American or not.
Or the Government could not snatch up HUNDREDS of people from across the world and zip them off to secret prisons, torture them, hold them for many years, then...release them...as if nothing happened...and at the same time hold itself immune from prosecution.

We knew that our laws were based on a moral foundation and applied equally to all, not skewed by citizenship, nationality, even religious views (no matter how extreme).
I want a place where Homeland Security, the single most intrusive government agency ever created, does not exist.

I want a place where Muslims are not looked at with suspicion and have their holy books burned by Men of God, for no other reason than spite.
I want a time when there hasn't been a decade of war and countless (literally countless) lives have been lost.

Wishing for September 12th is like longing for the bruise and medical care sought after a broken limb. I want to be healed.

I want September 10th.

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Yes, indeed, I WILL celebrate.

What happened to all the people who had so many creative and torturous ways to kill Bin Laden after 9-11?

Where are all hyper-patriots who cheered (for whatever strange reason) the execution of Saddam?

Why is that, now, we should take pause and not be happy that one of the most vile creatures to ever live has been removed from the planet? Why should I not smile at the death of this "human" who was killed in a time of war?

If he were any other Joe, then there might be some validity to that, but he was not just another man. He was a breathing obscenity, a taunting idea, a temporary champion, a repugnant mascot....you name it.

For ten years he was "wanted dead or alive."
Now...I am told, by many people, I shouldn't celebrate death and enjoy the fact he was shot in the eye.

I don't think people understand. Had he been a world leader, he would have been on the order of Hitler, or Mao, or Stalin...would we not cheer their deaths? In actuality, Bin Laden would have been far worse than any of those men. Imagine a nuclear armed Bin Laden...he would have brought death to millions through medieval and primitive methods, with beheadings by swords and daggers, stoning, burnings, whippings, subjugation....see where I am going?

Will he live on in martyrdom? I guess, to some degree he will...but he was not an Arab Jesus, he was not Mohammad or some Muslim Yoda...he was a madman. One thing all martyrs have in common is......they are dead. Let his cave-dwelling bands of followers seek guidance from his ghost. Let them fight on in his name and squeeze funding from the sea. I am willing to bet anything that his death frightens (ha! terrifies) them more than it galvanizes...

...because they now know, there is nowhere you can hide. He was the most hunted man on Earth, but he was also the most hidden. He was tucked away like gold stashed by a troll...and America found him.

It may take time, however the United States will get you. It may be through bombs dropped by drones you cannot hear and see...or...it may be in the middle of the night in your bedroom.

So, I will rejoice today. And next time I go to the Ocean and take a swim, I will take special pleasure knowing I am dancing on Osama's grave...and...AND... if I have to go to the bathroom while I am swimming....

Yes, I will celebrate.

The New Odyssey

If nothing else, Operation Odyssey Dawn is indeed odd.

The United States has contorted and twisted itself into two meaningless wars (in Afghanistan and Iraq) which will go on for, at least, several more years if not another decade. It is clear that thousands more people will die at best, for revenge, but what is smelling and looking more and more like a blood lust...now this?

Does anyone really believe ground troops will not be involved in Libya at some point? Does anybody know who the people fighting against Gaddafi are? The Right broke out into fits because of the possible dangers surrounding overwhelmingly peaceful protests in Egypt. They should throwing all out tantrums, even shoes, at this. They should be having all night sit-in's at the Capitol.

Dictators believe they will be dictating laws for eternity. So, they are not known for fostering a good environment in which the public is very learned on how lead themselves...on democracy. Imagine the power vacuum which will be left once Gaddafi is outed. How many mini-dictators will try to take his place?

When American troops were ALREADY in Iraq, "liberating" the people, a multi-headed civil war broke out. It was nearly a disaster.

So, what does the United States do now? We jump into the middle of a civil war with a rather well-armed and obviously insane tyrant, who probably believes he can win.

How can such a combination work out better?

This humanitarian action has expanded like a war-soaking sponge. It went from a "no-fly zone," grew to a "no-drive zone," and...because Admiral Mullen said we will be targeting tanks and artillery cannons...it seems to be bloating into a "no-parking zone" as well.

...but it's not a war.

Gaddafi is surrounding himself with human shields (who all "volunteered"). He is parking his tanks inside cities and setting up anti-aircraft batteries on top of businesses and schools. He will probably even start killing random people, blaming their deaths on the US, so he can parade their dead bodies on TV.

This humanitarian action will end up costing more lives than it saves and isn't going to end well...for anyone...but especially for the people of Libya, who we are "protecting."

The Day The Music Died...

I have had several people tell me, with this wreck, I was very lucky...

Oh, yes, my stars lined up just right Thursday morning...I am sure any psychic (those lecherous insects I hold in such high regard) would have told me what to expect for the day, my luck was that obvious.

I was headed to Park City, Utah by way of the interstate which was, luckily, not quite as plowed as the morning newscast said. As I crested a hill in the right hand lane, I hit a snow pack/ice sheet. Before I had the chance to redirect myself and stop my car from skating around like Johnny Weir, a semi whipped past. A disgusting gruel of ice, snow, and mud coated my windshield. Wipers would have just smeared it like a wet turd, so I was hoping it would slough off quickly. Hope...oh, me and my hoping.

To add to the drama( excuse me, good luck), at the bottom of the hill was a white box van...stopped. Yes, he was stopped on the interstate. At this point, I had a few choices. I could change lanes anyway and be crushed by a closing dump truck or cause him to flip. Or, I could have moved in to the hazard lane, which most certainly would have vaulted me down a ravine. Or, I could have pumped the brakes and hoped (there's that word again) the guy down the hill would get out of the way.

I chose that latter.

I slid 200' feet or so...then, just as the goo began to fall from my windshield...bang!!

My car rocked forward, lifting the rear end into the air, then spun off into the ditch which was only (hahaha...."only") 15' deep at this point.

After I gathered myself, I climbed out of the ditch. I got there in time to see the vehicle I hit, DRIVING OFF!!! Wow! Talk about luck!

The aura of fortune glowed so brightly around me (I guess), no one saw the need to stop and check if I was alright. Who would? A guy staggering on the side of the road with his car in a ditch...this man is sooooo lucky.

A few minutes later, a cop pulled up.

He wouldn't pay much attention to the details of my story until I had given him my DL, Registration, and Insurance information and before he confirmed I wasn't some mass murderer on the loose. Thank my lucky stars!

With his and the world's safety assured, he turned to me. He listened to what I had to say then asked...."Are you sure you didn't hit that pole over there?"

What?! I took in a breath and replied, "Yes, officer, I am rather certain I didn't hit a pole." Hmmm...did I mistake a van for a pole? They do look so similar...

Luckily for me, he agreed.

A little later, as I was sitting in the tow truck filling out paper work...Officer Compassion opened the door and handed me a ticket. Talk about luck!!

It was for following too closely (to a vehicle I still don't think he believes was there) and for not having enough tread on my tires. Ah, yes, the tread on my tires...that's the culprit. It's has nothing to do with the luge up the hill behind us, or truck that splashed me, or even..."the van."

It was clearly the tread on my tires.

I couldn't take it. I said, "Officer, if I had been carrying a two ton anchor in the back of my car and thrown it out at the top of this hill....I still would not have been able to stop in time."

"You have to be prepared for all road conditions." He said, in an oh-so-condescending tone.

Yes, of course...I should have hired a little leprechaun to sit on my hood with a squeegee, because you never know when a truck is going to coat you with mud.

My luck for the day got better, when I found out I hadn't gotten collision on my insurance. And...when my dick boss pulled up. He gave me all of 45 seconds to gather some tools(from the car which I will never see again) and told me he would drop me off at the office, but no further. I was so lucky, he was sure I could find a way home.

Yep, I am pretty lucky.

"Hey, at least you didn't get killed or seriously injured."

Right, right...because this way, when I lose my job I won't be a homeless cripple. And, at least it isn't summer. Who wants to be homeless in summer? It is so hot.

I was sooooo fortunate I wasn't hurt, because the only person who asked the primary car-wreck etiquette question, of whether I was alright before asking what happened, was of all people....the insurance agent. Even if she didn't care, she did a decent job of feigning concern.

If there is an "anti-lottery" and someone wants the winning numbers, I'm sure I can come up with them...because I am such a lucky bastard.

Who needs church or school when you have Glenn Beck?

It sure is a good thing I've been watching his show again...brothers and sisters, I have seen the light!!! Hallelujah! Glory Be!!!

If it wasn't for Brother Beck, I would never have realized that freedom is not meant for all. I would have gone on thinking Democracy was a right of all people, failing to learn it's more of a consolation prize only to be awarded after years of bombings.

I can, almost, honestly say I understand that the potential risks (as minor as they are) of people (especially Arabs) having a say in their lives...is an unspeakable evil. I would never have believed that a peaceful protest is a glaring and ominous indication of future dangers. Christians, Muslims, Jews, and Atheists standing together...it's a textbook deception and tell-tail sign of intolerance and jihadist goals.

Why can't people understand? A Middle East full of free and voting Arabs is the precursor to Armageddon!! The end is nigh!!

( I think that is found in the 69th chapter of Book of Jezebel, but I'm not positive...I am not real familiar with the Book of Mormon.)

I am sure, because I have such strong faith now, that Pastor Beck will adorn himself in his black suit and white tennis shoes. He will launch a tour of the Middle East (I think he should call it "My Crusade"), starting in Egypt, and tell the people in Tahrir Square how mislead they are. I know he, being a man of such conviction and righteous faith, will bring a platoon of chalkboards and TV monitors with him. And...he will show the Egyptian people why they are wrong...why their celebration is out of line.

Preach it, Brother Beck!

The message is undeniable.

After their conversion to Beck's (mine too, now) obscure beliefs, they will fall to the ground and gnash their teeth. They will plead to the god, only Pastor Beck can truly talk with, and beg for President Mubarak to return. They will ask for forgiveness and request he come to the new palace wearing no pants (so each protester can, in turn, give a loving and apologetic smooch to one of his pink royal ass cheeks).

Without question, the people who were "detained" by the Egyptian secret police and escaped will gladly surrender themselves. They will masochistically beg to be "questioned" indefinitely.

"I've been such a bad boy...question me again, officer."

Some people (of no faith) would suggest Bro. Beck uses a lot of false dichotomies and slippery slopes (more like Chutes and Ladders) to draw his conclusions. Not me, though...no way, Hosni. If I have seen the proof, then you can too. All you have to do is look at his chalkboard! Follow all his zigging and zagging lines, take notes, record his show so you can watch it again, take more notes, only go to conspiracy websites and watch only FOXNEWS, and after a little more note taking...the connections are SO clear! It's like a "Where's Waldo?" picture...sure, it may be hard to understand at first, but...Oh, there's Waldo!!

Peaceful protest = caliphate...it is sooooooooo obvious.

Some say Pastor Beck is in need of hospitalization and serious, long-term, therapy. Others believe his divinings on chalkboards are similar to lunacy. Those blasphemers! Glenn Beck is clearly a man of god...as a reward, I think President Obama should make him the "Omni-Czar," our ultimate authority on ALL issues.

Calling Glenn Beck crazy, is like saying FOX has an agenda. Ha! Oh, ye of little faith...

How many times have you heard this?

There are lines in movies and songs, which people can't find an original way to say or just think it is cool to put some sort of twist on. Either way, they are used far too often and need to be disposed of.

Example #1

"Are you threatening me?" or "Is that a threat?"

There are really only two ways a person can respond to that..."Yes, indeed I am," or "Oops, I think you misunderstood me."

But still, the writers of so many movies and TV shows try to work out some bizarre contorted phrase in an effort to create a new response.

Example #2

"You are asking questions way above your pay grade."

Generally, this is used in action flicks where an altruistic investigator begins to uncover a multi-leveled government conspiracy. It is my guess, that the authors of such movies (at some point) realize how flawed and implausible their storyline is. So, slap this puppy in there and it's as though you have held up a sign saying "Nasty People Are Plotting, Just Trust Us."

Then, high-fives are tossed between writers, "Oh, that's good" is said several times, and now they can move on to the next scene.

Example #3

"If I knew then what I know now..."

Even in the most absurdly constructed mind, how does that make any sense at all? ...If only I was omniscient, I would have...

By and large, this line is used in music and the singer is whining about a past mistake. It's a grown-up's version of Bugs Bunny saying "If only I took that left turn at Albuquerque!"

Hell, you're writing a song (making loads of money) about the whole damned experience, so I don't think things worked out too badly...your ignorance included.

Example #4

"But we need you. You're the best in the field and know more about this than anyone."

For the most part, this is used in Sci-Fi films, especially where the world is coming to an end. There is always some disenfranchised researcher who had his work shunned by the scientific community, or he was mainstream and fell out of favor any variety of reasons.

This idea is so overly played and used up, it is about as good as ketchup-soiled napkin from a child's Happy Meal. Hearing this line, is a warning of things to come...a sub-plot involving stolen or scoffed at ideas, but in the end vindication...oh, and the world is saved...at the last possible second.

Wouldn't it be nice to once have the person come in and not succeed? Maybe, "Why the hell did we bring you here? The Earth is now doomed because we wasted time on you. Somebody kick this guy's ass before we die!"

Those are a few...feel free to add more.