Sad September Song
I wish it sounded different
Sad September Song
Today, with the crisp promise of autumn in the trees and the normal hum and growl of a regular Monday in my ears, it was only natural that I’d think life was good. The heat of this oppressive summer, while not over, was suspended, and the mundane tasks that fill my waking hours were more than manageable. It was going to be a good week.
And then I looked at the calendar, and realized that tomorrow is 9/11, eleven years out. The cool, sun-dappled air was the same as it was on the day that the towers fell, a day so exquisite that had it not marked the single most horrific attack of the last fifty years, it would have been remembered by for its late-summer glory. And for those few moments, before I realized that we had come full circle one more year, it almost seemed as if forgetting was possible.
And of course, it’s not. I am not the person that I was on September 10, 2001. Older but not wiser, I no longer expect the best of people, my Sagittarian optimism and naivete sharpened into cynicism. I see enemies now where, before, I only saw those with differences of opinion. And that’s because it seems you can no longer have simple differences of opinion in this post-9/11 world.
When I write something that criticizes one side, as I did last week and often do, I now get emails calling me all sorts of vile names. When I post something that challenges the belief systems of otherwise rational human beings, I see the comments on the websites and realize that anonymity gives courage to cowards, but not intelligence to idiots.
I wish that 9/11 had never happened, not only because of the horrors visited upon innocents. I wish that it had never changed the way I view the world, erasing forever the perspective that we could all ultimately come together and agree on what was best for our country and our people even though we had to trudge through some difficult terrain to do so. I no longer believe that.
And that is another casualty of 9/11. That, and the ability to enjoy a glorious day in early September.
You are right, Christine. The world is not the same. There is an evil out there that far too many do not want to acknowledge. 9/11 was the "Kristalnacht" for Judeo -Christian values of the west. We want to believe that all people are basically good, but our "good" and their "good" are two very different things. Unless our leaders wake up soon, and act before it is too late, we may be in for a tragic future.— HowardRay- We're all wiser, less trusting of others and yes, the Sagittarian in me is not the same, either. I hate what 9/11 did to us but it did open our eyes to the growing element of hate and stand firm on our belief and values. Those who insult you for writing for what you feel hate themselves, not you.— mick1219
- You forget the fundamental lesson of 9/11: do not trust the GOP warmongers. They lie...for oil.— sophistry
- Also: the GOP wants to start wars because it makes money for the rich, greedy ol' basterds.— sophistry
And so, Christine, I hear you, and I would agree with you, but up to a point, and if I go past that point then I am no longer who I am or more accurately who I want to be.
For instead of the towers crumbling over and over, I prefer to think of the men raising the flag on Iwo Jima and then I know that we will be strong again.
The crumbling towers are nothing when compared to our crumbling government.
I spent today watching the blue Atlantic, a simple coincidence but a heart rousing one, nonetheless. I saw young children playing, parents caring for them and it was vivid that America stands for something more precious and strong than any foe can vanquish.
All we need is leadership from men who are as brave and loving of country as Washington and we will be fine again. We now have a choice and the choice is as simple as asking if the man who has had 4 years to put out the fire is the right man. Or is it time to bring in a new fire man.
That answer is clear. Let the new man have a try; and I find optimism in my heart. And so for me, it was a beautiful day.— PlumberJoe- Christine, dear, yes, it is so sad that our lives and worldviews have been so drastically changed by those horrific events.
Besides the poor victims that day, we also lost TRUST that we were safe inside our own borders and that government could continue to keep us that way.
There is no excuse for those who pile on you or wish you harm for expressing your opinion. None.— Gendres - PJ - I tried to leave a last post on Christine's op-ed board which is now overflowing with comments. Not sure it made it.
Yesterday (9/10), I had a long conversation with a gentleman from Florida - visiting relatives in my neighborhood - who said he is a member of the Tea Party movement. Very angry at Obama.
(I almost asked him if he was you in disguise.)
He was sure that the President is a communist out to wreck this country and directed me to read his book.
He said he was a "true" conservative - not a neo-con. It was a very interesting conversation. (I stayed calm while he ranted and raved.)
He said that if Romney loses, that will be the end of the Republican party and they would have to form a new party. Radical to say the least.
It is that kind of polarization that I think fuels the strong emotions often expressed on these boards.
The saddest part of this whole picture is how bitter and angry people have become.
Our nation needs a time to heal. So does our Church - as Father said on Sunday.
And Chris, please write about football or something else safe.
God help us all.
— Gendres - Gendres, these are beautiful sentiments penned by Christine. I am not going to bring any angry words here to spoil them. I love my God, I love my country and I love Christine for all the truth she brings to me.
The sun is shining today, 9/11. And the sun will continue to shine over America for all the days to come.
There is time enough tomorrow to solve our problems.— PlumberJoe - Thank you, PJ, for being thoughtful of the day and of Chrstine's feelings. The sentiments expressed above about the coming fall are indeed lovely.
Yes, there is always tomorrow to hash out our differences.
Meanwhile, I think we can both acknowledge that last Friday's op-ed board broke some kind of record for energy and new voices of opinion. She must take comfort in that achievment.
And, I am sure it is obvious to Chris that you are not the only one who loves her.
8-)
And for all the victims of 9/11 -
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescant in pace.
"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace."— Gendres - What is there to love in Christine? Seriously? She belittles anyone who does not agree with her extremist positions on contentious topics. She lashes out against any critics. She barks back via the comment board. She is fourteen kinds of terrible. I do not love Christine, but I do love setting her and her brain-dead minions straight.— sophistry
- sophy - you do not know the meaning of love. But you know a whole encyclopedia about hate. And that is truly pathetic.— Gendres
Email Christine M. at cflowers1961@yahoo.com Reach Christine M. at cflowers1961@yahoo.com.
