dimanche 12 septembre 2010

9/11

Some blogger friends were very close to the Pentagon on that sombre day.  We were then living in Val-David, 90 kilometres   north -west of Montreal, and finishing our breakfast.  We are not morning TV persons.  Around 9:40, our phone began ringing- “Is your TV on?” asked an excited voice, “if not turn it on, I’ll call back later, bye!”  What we saw kept us there most of the day.
Other friends called to ask if we had heard from John whose son worked in one of the Towers.  We called John in Montreal, he was unable to reach his daughter-in-law,   (they lived near the Towers), and worried like hell.  Later that day he called us to say his daughter-in-law had called and his son was safe at a conference in Vienna.
This is how close we were.  Save for a few overexcited fanatics around Ousama bin Laden, an out of control C.I.A. creation to fight the Russians, no one anywhere were not sympathizing with the U.S. and its citizens. 
I wonder what is now more distressing: the event itself or the aftermaths, the divisions, the accusations, all those plot theories about inside jobs, Mossad, the White House wishing to create an incident to invade Afghanistan and all the mud slinging that ensued.
And now the Islamic Community Center and that illuminated Floridian, who needs that?   I am not a U.S. foe but not an unconditional fan either; still I grieve for all those sincere, civilized and caring U.Sers who have to endure the senseless imperialists and “nation builders” (colonialists) among them and pay for their folies.

25 commentaires:

  1. Golda Meir said: “When peace comes we will perhaps in time be able to forgive the Arabs for killing our sons, but it will be harder for us to forgive them for having forced us to kill their sons.”

    I'm not sure about what we were "forced" to do and what we chose to do, but the problem is still the same.

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  2. Indeed Jenny, the problem is the same even more than you think. Did not Al Qaeda act in revenge for U.S. support of Israël and the exile and death of the Palestinians?
    And did not petrol motivate the Cheneys and Haliburtons of this world into pushing George W. into this venture in Afghanistan and in Irak?
    Is Iran next, Obama notwistanding?

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  3. I hope that Obama is withstanding and Iran will not be next.

    We had hoped for more from Obama, but, still, Cheneys and Haliburtons I abhor.

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  4. Thank you for phrasing yourself so, friend Paul. The hardest thing at this point in history is to love my country and the best that it stands for, and yet have some of our government's and people's most ill considered words and deeds sitting out there like vandalism committed by one's relatives.

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  5. The U.S. has such an intricate goverment system that it is most diffiocult to understand for a foreigner. Obama does not live up to expectations...but has realized some progress on social reforms.
    On the war front however he has remained a prisoner of former administrations and has added a few bloopers of his own...so it is now HIS war.
    Let us hope that his primary intentions prevail but 4 years is very short and November is coming fast. Will fear or good sense win?

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  6. I have a cousin who was supposed to be in New York that fateful morning, but couldn't get the right flight connections in the end.

    While not an American, I stand with Americans in their loss. But I'm not thrilled with all the "hay" American politicians have made with this disaster.

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  7. I guess even the U.S. citizens feel that way, Rob.

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  8. I was at home with my youngest daughter and she was watching TV. She came to me and said: “Papà, le torri gemelle sono state colpite!” [Papi, the twin towers have been hit!]

    I was incredulous and said: “what the heck ….” But then I saw the images on screen. Horrible. We were all glued to TV for many hours.

    It's been all such a big mess, and big the price (wars, fanaticism, intolerance) paid by the American people, the Muslims, the Europeans and the rest of the world.

    Obama didn't not live up to expectations but in such situation has been a blessing.

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  9. Indeed Obama, though disappointing, is a better option than the others. The Tea Party could upset many things though.

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  10. Tea Party. Yes, that's one upsetting thing. I confess no matter his performance I still like Obama very much.

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  11. Our best hope is that the Tea Party completely marginalizes itself with candidates like Christine "Masturbation Makes The Baby Jesus Cry" O'Donnell. Yiii.

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  12. I agree with both of you. In spite of all I want to believe that just plain horse sense will prevail.

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  13. Paul, I love the new picture in the header.
    September 11 changed Americans in a fundamental way. It took them back to the times of the Cold War, the enemy lurking around to destroy all of our ideals. The Bush propaganda machinery got on the bandwagon and jumped to the next conclusion, the whole Muslim world was now suspect. We're not over it.

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  14. No your are not...and it is spreading over here with our wannabe more US than the US Harper governement.
    Let's somehow our countries will regain some composure.

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  15. Grazie Giovanni, the photo was taken in July 2007 while eating in aSpanish restaurant next to the Treasure Island Hotel in Las Vegas. That evening, we ate an excellent paella and had a very fine Spanish wine to wash it down.

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  16. That is quite an appealing photo. You look like a tribal elder not yet so old that he would decline a full-fledged adventure.

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  17. Dear Sledpress, my wife of 45 years is my daily adventure and I want no other.
    Looks are decieving, my creaking joints remind me each day not to be too adventurous.

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  18. Sledpress ha ragione: sembri il grande saggio di una tribù, nonché suo leader e stregone.

    [Sledpress is right: you seem the great sage of a tribe plus its leader and sorcerer.]

    PS
    And maybe you are. Isn't your family like a tribe after all?

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  19. In a way, yes it is a bit like a tribe. On the other hand the "leader" is more of an old lion these days. The young lionesses are getting the upper hand.

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  20. Ah ah ah, like here dear Paul, like here ....

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  21. Isn't it like this in all families where women have a majority voice?

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  22. Ah, you men, you complain about being outflanked by women with what I suspect are big smiles on your faces.

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  23. @Paul
    Yes, of course Paul.

    @Sled
    But we are laughing at ourselves, not at the women.

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  24. We all live in a democratic system thus the majority rules. It's all perfectly normal.
    Besides there comes a moment when a role reversal occurs and the children begin to feel very protective of their "old folks" and, in a way, it is reassuring and comforting...if a bit irritating.

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