I've been holding back and I thought I would share my thoughts on the tragic event. I wanted to see what other people typed. There were some fitting tributes and some that quite frankly made me want to jump through the intertubes and kick people in the junk.
Let those images sink in for a moment.
They are so stirring and yet one is so false it makes my blood boil, yet a movement in America uses it for proof of a conspiracy. The events of September 11th, 2001 stirred a nation. In a sense they woke us to what the rest of the world had been enduring during the latter half of the 20th century. Fear of terrorist attacks had finally came to America.
Everyone this weekend seemed to ask the same question: Where were you? Sometimes I feel embarrassed about where I was and at other times I feel great because I did not let the terrorists win. The night prior to the attacks, I was in the bar. It was Monday Night Football and a friend of mine was bartending. He said, "Hey Wurm, come down to the bar tonight, we got the big screen, free food, and if you slip me a fin, I'll give you all you can drink." How could I resist? I was a college student and $5 for all I could drink was a deal. The Giants and the Bronocs played and I could care less. I was having a blast with a few friends. I didn't have to worry about classes because my first class the next day was at 11. I had my dorm room to myself because my roommate was student teaching. I had a great sleep. The bad thing was that I woke up later than I expected. My school had chapel at 10:15 and I woke up at 10. Now, it wasn't mandatory chapel but if a teacher spotted you or checked your dorm room then you would get a stern lecture about wasting worship opportunities. I took an Irish shower and made my way to chapel. I saw my friend Dick and he looked horrible. I asked what was going on.
"Planes....flying into buildings...America's at war."
"Shut up, Dick."
"Fuck you, I'm serious."
I shut up and we walked to chapel. Everyone was talking about it. What was I missing? I don't remember anything the chapel speaker said. Then the dean of the school went up on stage and started talking about what was happening and that school would not be canceled. After he dismissed us I headed to my class, a history course on the American Civil War. The teacher came in, filled with tears, and said that he could not lecture today and that we were to go pray for our citizens. A couple of my classmates and I headed for the cafeteria. We got our food and sat down and began discussing what was transpiring. They asked "Did you see it, Wurm?" No, I was sleeping. Then the cafeteria works turned on the overhead speaker system because the President was speaking. There were people laughing and joking and I clearly remember my friend Joel scream, "SHUT THE HELL UP!" We couldn't finish our meal. I went to my mailbox not knowing what to do. The student union was packed. I swear there were more people in that place than for some of our basketball games. I saw the aftermath and then walked back to the class building. I noticed that my afternoon class was canceled. When I got back to my dorm room I turned on the tv and tried calling home. The phone lines were down. Then I heard a guy shouting in the hall, "GO GET GAS! MY MOM SAID IN MICHIGAN IT JUMPED TO $7 A GALLON!" I knew I needed gas so I got out and went and waited about 30 minutes. After I filled up the gas jumped to $2 a gallon. I finally got in contact with my parents. Even though they were nowhere near New York or Pennsylvania or D.C., it was a relief to hear from them. They said the gas station in their small town was selling gas for $11 a gallon.
Later that night a group of friends and I went out to the bar....Joel, Dick, Croatian Sensation, Oaf, Baldy, Nelrod, Pringle, Pakdam, Tomzack, Bode...yeah they were all there. We listened as Bush addressed the nation and not an eye was dry when he quoted Psalm 23.
Anyway that was my day.
What I have not enjoyed about 9/11 have been two responses. One is the blind "patriotism" following of the government. That "you're either with us or you're with the terrorists", forced flag-waving mentality. There is something for bringing those that planned this attack to justice but going after a country that had nothing to do with the attack is another. I remember sitting in church and hearing prayers about how we want to bring those responsible to justice and asking God to punish the terrorists. It reminded me of my favorite writing by Mark Twain, "The War Prayer".
You have to think, when you ask God for a decided victory, there is a prayer that you are praying that remains silent. You are praying that other people be maimed and killed.
The other response that sickens me is what people call the Truth Movement. What do they want? The truth about the 9/11 attacks. Sure, I'll concede that there are things that would be interesting to know but then I think of all the videos that were confiscated and agreed in doing so because I could see people selling those videos to make a profit from these tragic events. One thing I have heard people say is that they want the truth but when asked what good will the truth do, they have no answer. Will knowing 100% benefit society? Or will it just make you want more and more and more? You can post all the youtube videos that you want, it's not going to make you seem like a scholar. Just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's the TRUTH. I have this website that says that the city of Mankato, MN is encased in a dome and the temperature is a constant 76F. The same website also says that Mankato was the site of a secret Nazi submarine factory and has excellent whale watching and boasts underground pyramids and hot springs. Then there is a video from The Onion that people claim is evidence that the government was behind 9/11 because they want to inter Americans in re-education camps. How fucking dumb are you? You claim that you want the truth so the victims can rest in peace. Your meddling is blocking that from happening. Why don't you go expose a story that the moon landing was a hoax? Oh wait, you already posted a few youtube videos about that. Thank you, your scholarship and ability to embed videos is astounding.
So you want truth? What will it give us? Why don't you jsut admit you want to see the government fail? You don't want government because you are one of these so-called Libertarians who doesn't like government interfering in the lives of citizens. You can have that. Move to Somalia. You'll love it. They have no central functioning government. Of course you may have to deal with pirates and all sorts of other evil doers but at least you will be free of government.
I ran into a truth movement person on Saturday. They were having a protest in my small town. Three people showed up. I asked my questions that I have asked here and they had no answer. They made a lame excuse that said they didn't ever want to forget those events. Then I replied with this:
"Knock, knock"
"Who's there?"
"9/11."
"9/11 who?"
"I thought you said you would never forget."
I am being mean to the Truth Movement but I am going to help you. Yes, in my Christian nature, I will lend you a hand and point you in the direction that you should look where to lay blame for the tragic events of 9/11. OK...sigh...here it goes....the mastermind of the attacks was.....Jeff Tweedy of the band Wilco.
You don't believe me. Well I don't have a youtube video to post but I have researched this plenty so I consider myself a scholar on this subject just like everyone who claims to be a demolition expert in light of 9/11.
So the band wrote this album and in fact Jeff Tweedy penned this song, Jesus Etc.
LISTEN! IT'S RIGHT THERE!
Voices escape singing sad sad songs
Tuned to chords strung down your cheeks
Bitter melodies turning your orbit around
Voices whine
Skyscrapers are scraping together
Your voice is smoking
Last cigarettes are all you can get
Turning your orbit around
SEE! Even though the two towers featured on the album cover are Marina City in Chicago, it bears such a striking resemblance to the World Trade Center. I think Jeff Tweedy masterminded the attacks to get back at AOL/ Time Warner because of how they mismanaged their contract.
Yeah, Jeff, you keep playing that guitar. I know the truth.
So I will remember 9/11 but I am not going to go out and attack people because they are of the Muslim religion or have brown skin nor will I purpose asinine conspiracies where there are none necessary.
In loving memory of all who suffered and died in the attacks perpetrated against America on September 11th, 2001.
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