Sunny - Hi 118 Lo 92 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny and Hazy - Hi 85 Lo 68 for Northern KY, USA
Song of the week: Superbowl XXXVI Halftime Performance by U2, February 2002 - Beautiful Day and Where the Streets Have No Name
A short five months after the unimaginable events of September 11, 2001, we Americans put on our games faces, wiped away our tears, covered our cuts and bruises, and showed the world that the terrorists may have given us a terrible blow, but we would overcome and defeat them. We weren't about to let those
b@$*@#%$ think they had the upper hand. Never. We are Americans. Proud. The best of the best. President Bush told us to get on with our lives... So, we as Americans showed resolution and unity in a game we call football. Some gathered to watch the commercials... some actually watched the game... some gathered to eat and drink and be with friends and family. There was a heightened sense of importance to be with those we love. Some of us gathered to watch the halftime show. No wardrobe malfunctions that year, but an Irish rock band helped us heal if just a little bit and gave us a moment to remember our fallen. I think that was the only time I cried during a Super Bowl.
It was a good day for football.
It was fitting that the Patriots won that year...
Ramble:
The events of a few days ago as well as the conflict unfolding in the Middle East are grim reminders that the Islamofascists still hate us. Why? Because they do. Many have explained the reasons as to why. Go to Townhall and read some of our great conservative scholars; read many of the blogs that write passionately about why we must fight. I am not so bold as to think my words make a difference to anyone, but I do need to put my thoughts in writing so I can explore my own psyche and what all this means to me.
I love this country, I always have. I know what it means to be an American, to be free, to have the right of liberty, the ability to pursue my dreams, to be content with my life as it is and what my husband and I have chosen as a path.
September 11, 2001 magnified how I look at things. I have mentioned on this blog before that we live close to the Northern Kentucky Greater Cincinnati International Airport. The days following the cowardly attack were most eerie for us. The flight patterns from CVG bring planes right past our home. No jets... weird, unnerving silence filled the air. We would see fighter jets high... high in the sky... but no passenger jets... no commerce... everything stopped.
Do you remember the way we as Americans behaved after that dreadful day? We were kind to each other. We were polite drivers. People checked in on each other. We called loved ones. We would end conversations by saying, "I love you" and "Take care of yourself".
Our Congress stood on those steps of the Capitol singing God Bless America... side by side and for an instant in time... we were as one nation... Dare I say it? We were one nation, under God.
Mayor Giuliani was our champion, our calm as we hoped and prayed and watched the news hoping they would find survivors in that wreckage that was once a workplace for tens of thousands.
Stories of heroism and courage crept out... some of it urban legend but some of it very real.
This was an attack on American soil, but we were not the only ones to suffer. Over eighty countries lost people that day. We were sucker punched because we were not paying attention.
President Bush became a father figure to all of us. I can not imagine the burden this man carries. I know he was the right person in place during this time of chaos and yes... evil.
It's been nearly five years and our brave soldiers have kept the fight out of our country. They are still in Afghanistan and in Iraq and other places we don't need to know about. We continue to lose good men to this evil. My responsibility to these men is to support them and their mission. I do so enthusiastically and humbly.
Our friends in Israel are surrounded by those that hate them. Why? Because they do. Dare I say it? They are hated because they are the chosen people of God. Will we as Americans continue to stand by our friends or will we falter? Will we succumb to our own prejudice and bigotry and turn our backs on them?
Here at home, President Bush told us that this would be a long drawn out fight. On September 20, 2001, President Bush spoke to us as a nation, spoke to the world:
[...] These terrorists kill not merely to end lives, but to disrupt and end a way of life. With every atrocity, they hope that America grows fearful, retreating from the world and forsaking our friends. They stand against us, because we stand in their way. [...]
[...] Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes, visible on TV, and covert operations, secret even in success. We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place, until there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime. [...]
[...] But the only way to defeat terrorism as a threat to our way of life is to stop it, eliminate it, and destroy it where it grows. [...]
[...] Americans are asking: What is expected of us? I ask you to live your lives, and hug your children. I know many citizens have fears tonight, and I ask you to be calm and resolute, even in the face of a continuing threat. [...]
[...] I ask for your patience, with the delays and inconveniences that may accompany tighter security; and for your patience in what will be a long struggle. [...]
[...] It is my hope that in the months and years ahead, life will return almost to normal. We'll go back to our lives and routines, and that is good. Even grief recedes with time and grace. But our resolve must not pass. Each of us will remember what happened that day, and to whom it happened. We'll remember the moment the news came -- where we were and what we were doing. Some will remember an image of a fire, or a story of rescue. Some will carry memories of a face and a voice gone forever. [...]
[...] I will not forget this wound to our country or those who inflicted it. I will not yield; I will not rest; I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people. [...]
[...] The course of this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between them. [...]
[...] Fellow citizens, we'll meet violence with patient justice -- assured of the rightness of our cause and confident of the victories to come. In all that lies before us, may God grant us wisdom, and may He watch over the United States of America.
emphasis added. link to full text of speech below.
We were told this fight would be a long drawn out battle- that we would work with our allies- some things we have watched on the news... other things... we know not. I know someone close to Michael and I- we know he is chasing the bad guys... but he has never once discussed it, nor have we asked. To ask him threatens his mission.
Saturday I caught the matinee for
World Trade Center. Michael was working, besides he refuses to go to the movies... So, I went by myself. I was optimistic about the movie based on what I had heard from those I respect. I am not sure what I was expecting; I guess I was hoping to be overwhelmed with the emotions from that dreadful day... to be reminded of the grief and subsequent anger I felt.
The movie is about hope and perseverance and the human struggle to simply stay alive. Did it capture the essence of that day? I am afraid not, but what it did do was stir my own memories and resolution. The movie did not explore the why and who of the day. It did not explore the shock and grief we felt that day. It did not explore the anger in the coming days and months after 9/11. It did not show those that hate us dancing in the streets... The movie did not show the American will and the way we came together as a people. It was very... antiseptic.
Decide for yourself about the movie. My opinion- I found the story of survival to be moving. Only 20 people were pulled out of that wreckage. TWENTY! Remember? We were donating blood and sending relief supplies up to New York City immediately - IMMEDIATELY- despite our shock and grief. We were expecting the rescuers to pull thousands of people from the rubble. The movie follows Port Authority Officers, John McLoughlin and Will Jimeno as they get caught between the towers when they collapse.
I did find a moment of levity when I found myself laughing. The men were talking to each other to stay awake to stay alive- McLoughlin explained to Jimeno that he was pretty good at carpentry work and he was in the process of remodeling the kitchen. There weren't any kitchen cabinets up. He had to get home otherwise the wife would be griping if he didn't get home to finish the job. That is the sort of conversation my husband would have with his friends – that made the movie personal.
Another part of the movie that probably won't have the same impact on others is a simple cut to scene of firemen gathered in front of an wrought iron fence. Food is being served and it shows some firemen from Wisconsin there-- giving the understanding that people came from everywhere to help.
The wrought iron fence is what stirred my emotions. You see, that fence is in front of St. Paul's Chapel which is right across from the World Trade Center. George Washington sat in that very church... The fence became a memorial and a place to put pictures of souls that were missing. St. Paul's Chapel became a dormitory for the countless volunteers.
The movie also made me aware of another hero - David Karnes - United States Marine. This guy--- 3 years out of the Marine Corp, working in Connecticut for some accounting firm... He watches and sees the towers get hit and fall. He tells those around him---
"If you didn't know it already, we are at war." Staff Sergeant Karnes believes he has a calling and that is to help those in need. He goes to his church and prays with his pastor. He then goes to his local barber and gets a high and tight. He goes and picks up his Marine gear, dresses in his cammies and hops in his Porsche 911 and speeds to the New York City. He walks through and gets to Ground Zero, he hooks up with another Marine Dave Thomas and they are among the first walking through the ruins and looking for survivors. The Marines find the Port Authority Officers and stay with them.
Subsequently, Karnes goes home, quits his job reenlists with the Corp and did 2 tours in Iraq.
I love Marines.
So, my psyche... I will remain vigilant. I will stay wide awake and watch the world outside our home, I will look for things out of the ordinary when I am driving to and fro.
I will continue writing my Congressman and Senators and make them realize they too are on alert- that I am watching them.
I will continue to educate myself on the upcoming elections and start with my local sheriff.
I will urge the politicians that are elected to represent me that we must secure our borders and send illegal aliens back to their country of origin.
I will stand up against and audibly disagree when a crack smoking kool aid drinking liberal says what we are doing is wrong. I will remind them that:
We don't torture and murder innocent civilians like Leon Klinghoffer, or Italian hero Fabrizio Quatrocchi, or the crew and passengers of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie Scotland, or Daniel Pearl. We don't kill our athletes when they don't perform. We don't treat women like cattle... worse than cattle... We don't rape women and young girls and then murder them because they are no longer pure... We don't send a car filled with explosives into Embassies (Tehran, Beirut, Kuwait) to maim and kill civilians... We don't boobeytrap our own CHILDREN with explosives to kill soldiers!! We don't fill a back pack with explosives, board trains and buses and blow people to bits... Oh, and we don't fly jetliners into skyscrapers and kill thousands either!!!
I will cheer when one of our very own bloggers uncovers something else that the mainstream media has done to lie and deceive. Please be aware you mainstream media pricks that we are watching you and we know what you are up to. How dare you jerk offs share secrets with the enemy - Revealing our tactics of catching the bad guys... You put people in jeopardy with crap like that. What is it that you hate so much about your own country? What?
I will continue to support our fighting men and women.
When a soldier comes home from a tour of duty when I can, I will be holding a flag as they drive by- a simple thank you for what they did. And if one of them should sadly return home in a box with an American flag draped over it, whenever possible, I will pay my respect to the family of that soldier that gave the ultimate sacrifice.
I will stand by those that stand by us.
I will not be passive in my love for this country or my love for what God has given us. I will live my life and be happy and appreciate every day that has been given to me.
I will not forget.
Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:
SuperBowl.com - Relive SuperBowl XXXVI
Family7 - In looking for articles on U2 at the SuperBowl, I came across this. I don't know who the young artist is, but I found this to be sweet. I hope you do too.
Townhall - Many of America's best conservative minds
WTC Life - I found this short film and found it touching- it is people going to work at the World Trade Center years before the towers fell.
World Trade Center - Link to the movie webite
Complete text of President Bush's Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People, September 20, 2001 - This should be read often to remind us of that day.
David Karnes, USMC - Learn about this Marine.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Sister in Pittsburgh gives local 911 dispatcher a heroic role - Learn about the Marine's sister.
Libertas - This is an in depth review Oliver Stone's World Trade Center
St Paul's Chapel - May 2005 we "happened upon this church". We had no idea of it's history, we had no idea that it was a sanctuary. This website has several videos and first hand accounts.
*****On September 11, 2996 bloggers will post tributes of those lost on 9/11. I am memorializing Marion Britton.*****
Please, join the tribute.***** Have a great week everyone!
Blogger is not allowing me to load photos. As soon as Blogger let's me, I'll be adding 3 photos to this post...
Update: 5:00PM EST-- finally... pics are posted.
The mornings typically belong to me. I am at my best in the early hours-I usually wake up between 5:00 and 6:00 AM (weekends included). I am at my most productive and creative this time of day. Michael on the other hand is not a morning person-- he would much prefer to sleep until noon and stay up all night. This rainy Sunday morning however, has been a little different. Michael is on a quest to slay a dragon. He is headed for the Tennessee/North Carolina border to the Tail of the Dragon. Tail of the Dragon is a destination for motorcyclists and sportscar enthusiasts. There are 318 curves in just 11 miles of road. Michael intended to leave about 6:30 or 7:00 AM this morning, but the rain kept him from leaving before dawn-- it's now about 9:30 AM and I believe he is about ready to hit the road.
Side story---One Thanksgiving several years ago, my mother decided she would cook. Mom had the family over and Michael at the time was working as a chef. Mom opened the oven and it was apparent (even to me) that the bird was done. She looked at Michael and asked him what he thought... He popped the bird with the thermometer and it went into a vein and a bit of blood squirted out. Michael saw that the temperature had already reached well beyond what it needed to be (I have no idea what that temperature is-- I do know that the temperature of the bird will continue to rise once it comes out of the oven). Michael told her that "Yes, indeed this bird is done." But my mother seeing the blood just knew that it meant that it was under cooked. "She announced, "NO! Dees toohkey not done!!" She pushed the bird back in the oven and slammed the oven door shut. I can't remember how much longer the bird was in the oven... just know this... Do you remember the scene in Christmas Vacation--- the family sits down to a wonderful dinner? Clark Griswald begins to carve the roasted beast... but it collapsed in a poof of dust...??? That scene was based on our Thanksgiving. We call that the year of "Terkey Jerky". Yeah- that was great! (Oh-- she had also left the little "baggy" of innard goodies in the cavity of the bird too...)
