Random Ideas, Comments & Thoughts, Sometimes Political, Sometimes Adult… Hope you don't choke.
I have noted that the gay men and women that lost their lives, or were first responders on 9/11 have been glaringly under-represented in the national media. In many cases their names haven’t even been mentioned.
This article is a good reminder that Gay folks are / have / will be at every event in human history. Regardless of what the religious zealots would have you believe.
Here is a page that lists those men & women. Some were heros, some were victims, ALL were loved.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot.
10 years ago today I flipped on the TV for some background noise as I prepared to begin a job search, as CNNs image resolved I, like many Americans couldn’t believe what I was seeing. My mind simply refused to accept what my eyes were telling me.
Suddenly I was on my knees, peering into the glowing phosphors hoping it was a terrible accident but knowing in my heart it was an attack… and that our lives were irrevocably changed.
Over the years my thoughts and opinions have changed. However there are a few things that remain constant.
I’m very conflicted, and I’m still just as angry today as I was then.
My Duty as an American is that I must protect the rights of everyone even those that I absolutely disagree with, although today I’ve narrowed that view to Americans. Naturalized or born here, it doesn’t matter. Anyone that has chosen to be an American is automatically part of that duty. Anyone else… well frankly their rights are only those protected under international law.
I’m conflicted because there are many people who are Americans and who obviously hate this country, their loyalties in fact lie solely with their countries of origin. How does my duty apply in those situations?
Duty… once so clear, is now confused and muddled.
Rules once so easy to follow and understand are now intermittently visible at best.
Our lives changed, there is no doubt about that.
It’s not just the TSA, or the Patriot act… everything is subtly influenced.
Americans as a group are much more suspicious of everyone. I’m never in public anymore where I’m not paying attention to crowds & the people around me. There are friends that would say I’m being paranoid. I disagree.
There are places in the world where bombings in public markets are commonplace. It hasn’t happened in this country but it could and I personally believe it will.
What was once unthinkable here in the United States is now within the realm of possibility.
We as a people had our innocence taken from us, It can never be regained.
I can’t forgive the countries or the people that harbor these terrorist animals, any more than I can forgive the terrorists themselves.
As I’ve watched the ceremony in New York I’ve been feeling the same things I felt 10 years ago. Rage, sadness, and … fear.
My brother lived in NY and was involved in law enforcement. For many hours I couldn’t reach him , or his wife. I have never been more grateful for any message than I was for the simple text message “We are OK”.
There are so many who received a very different message. My heart goes out to them… there is nothing that can be said to assuage their pain and loss.
Even though a decade has passed somehow the wound is as fresh today as it was then. This begs the question…
How do we move forward?
San Diego is without power. As is a large portion of Southern Orange County and Arizona.
I had no idea there was anything going on until I got home.
It’s been very strange seeing aerial images of southern orange county tonight, where the 5 South looks like a white snake undulating in a field of black.
Normally there is so much light you have a tough time picking out the freeway.
I was thinking that tonight there would be kids that can see the milky way for the very first time. I hope parents think about it.
Laying on the lawn looking up at the stars… I have very fond memories of TN and KY summer nights. I think I was in TN the first time I saw with my own eyes our galaxy. My Dad lived far enough out that light pollution wasn’t an issue. It was magical and mind boggling beauty.
I have to say I’m astonished at how freaked out people in Southern California are at the power outage. Wow! take away their electricity and these folks loose their damn minds. There are reports of generators being sold out at home depot. Excuse me??? You’re kidding right? Power goes out for several hours and you run out to spend 600-900 dollars for a machine that you’re likely to need ONCE in 6 – 10 years, Really?
Of course I’m thinking that in a few weeks I can pick up a sweet unit cheap! We’re without power at least once or twice a winter… It would be nice to be able to power up the heating system instead of relying on the fireplace.
These people are really over-reacting and it’s probably a view into what’s going to happen in the event of a major disaster or if the infrastructure gets compromised. Another few hours and folks will resort to cannibalism!
Folks, relax, take a deep breath, the magic power will be back soon, and all will be well.