9/11 was brought up a couple of times in my Fundamentalism class today at school, and it was the first time I had thought about that day in awhile (suck on that, Rudy).
To be very honest, it evoked a lot of thought and feeling. Much more than I could have anticipated.
It then occurred to me that I had heard "9/11" countless times throughout the course of the election, and never had it warranted such a response.
In retrospect, that is deplorable. The way that 9/11 has been utilized for the past year and a half makes me nauseous. To put it frankly, 9/11 has become a pawn in the right-wing's cultural and ideological war against the values that make our country unique. It is used to distract the public from the issues; to make this all-important election about mere rhetoric. The speeches throughout the RNC appealed to sentiment, not reason. They were ridden with empty patriotic remarks and huge applause lines. They all possessed a void that the American public should demand be filled with constructive solutions and truth.
Friends,
Let us focus on the issues that are really devastating our nation like our failing economy and wasteful war. Let us vow to not let John McCain usurp the role of the issues as he has done with his nomination of Sarah Palin. Unfortunately, the focus of this election has digressed to an unresolvable argument; a subjective one of culture and faith. This is not what this country needs. We can debate these matters amongst ourselves. We must implore the John McCain campaign to remain focused on what is real and contemporary.
So when 9/11 rolls around this year, respect the day for what it is. Whether it is 9/11, an irresponsible Vice Presidential nomination, or any other remark based on ideology and sentiment, do not dignify it with a response.
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2 comments:
Whenever a liberal speaks of some sort of creepy right-wing agenda, as if we all have meetings on Friday nights with Karl Rove, I know it's going to be difficult to appeal to logic. But I'm going to try anyway--
Some of us actually believe this stuff. I count myself among "us." It's not about a distraction. It's about the idea that seven years ago, had you told there wouldn't be another attack on American soil for this long, I would have taken that deal with just about any caveat. If you honestly believe that Barack Obama will do an equally good job (it's not really possible to do a better job, I guess) protecting the country, there's not much I can say. I'm just not convinced. I don't see the guy having the same knowledge of military and foreign affairs that McCain does. It's not even all about experience. It's about that fact that he very loudly opposed the surge (which I'm becoming increasingly convinced has done more for America's reputation in the Middle East than any speech Obama could give). It's about the idea that we should call a spade a spade a draw a distinction between people we can deal with and people like Ahmadinejad. And yeah, it's about the fact that someone who was in the military probably has a better understanding of what I think even you will agree is the fundamental issue of the day-- the war.
Obama's obviously an impressive guy. If it was 1992, we'd all be paying much more attention to the typical issues that involve social change, and he'd most likely win in a landslide. But I think that the fundamental Republican message is that this isn't the time to start experimenting with leadership. And I think I buy that.
Jeremy spoke in class today!
Harry just says stick to the facts.
"spade a spade" rough choice of expressions.
Anyway Palin says its God's work (although she tried to stumble through an explanation that she was quoting Abraham Lincoln)
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