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Sunday, September 11, 2011

What I'm reading on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and a call to action



Ten Years After; Fear itself.
We have changed though. We now have more names to call our enemies, and far more prowess in killing people. The techniques of warfare are changing, and we seem to be willing to give up some of our cherished freedoms for security. And to tell you the truth, that is the change I fear the most.


The Price of Security-When Citizens Become Suspects
Public buildings used to project a community’s vision of itself. In the past this might be civic pride — the New York Public Library — or ambition — the Louisiana Capitol in Baton Rouge, Huey Long’s declaration of modernity.

Public buildings still talk to us, but the message now is not pride but fear and suspicion. The hulking masses, set back from the street, with hard to find entryways protected by heavy bollards and other ill-disguised barriers, send a clear signal — stay away. You can’t be trusted. You might, in fact, be the enemy.

How I lost the country I used to know and the person I used to be
On September 11, 2001, I was lucky. I didn't lose anybody close to me -- except my country and the person I had been before.


Post 9/11 Permanent State of War Should Have Ended Long Ago
There never was a "war on terrorism." It wasn't "terrorism" that crashed airliners into buildings on that brilliant Tuesday morning. The attacks were carried out by a 19-member assault team from al-Qaeda, a terrorist organization then being sheltered by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. There most definitely was a war against al-Qaeda, and we won
.

What passes for journalism and opinion in America and the Sunday Morning Bobblehead Report

We all have our own personal stories on 9/11: where we were, what we saw, who we lost. The thing is, I don't know if I necessarily feel like sharing them, just because it's been ten years. It feels exploitative, and wrong. Which is, of course, exactly why we'll be inundated with 9/11 coverage today. Channel after channel, they are going to rehash the tragedy, with all the hysteria and hyperbole they can muster. But will they media take an honest eye to what happened? Will they admit that changed subsequent criticism of George W Bush? 'Course not. We'll have to relive collapsing buildings and sad survival stories and pictures of children who grew up in the last ten years without a parent. Personally, I'd rather watch the Mayles brothers' documentary of the Concert for New York that grew out of the tragedy.


Republicans soon may have one more reason to applaud.
When Rick Perry was asked by Brian Williams in a recent republican presidential debate if he looses any sleep over the executions in his state, this is how he replied: “I’ve never struggled with that at all.” He said it with a smirk on his face, and when he said it his republican audience roared with applause.

Rick Perry has been the overseer of more executions in modern history (234)than any other governor in the United States. And you better believe that he is proud of every one of them.


Michael Moore: I was the most hated man in America
In his 2003 Oscar acceptance speech, Michael Moore denounced President Bush and the invasion of Iraq. Overnight he became the most hated man in America. In an exclusive extract from his new book, Here Comes Trouble, he tells of the bomb threats, bodyguards and how he fought back


A call to action on 9/11
We are one day away from September 11th. And the psychos who flew the planes into those buildings were inhumane and had no empathy for their fellow human beings. They represented the worst of what humanity has to offer.

Come September 22, 2011, we will find out if they have more company.

*Sign the petition to save Troy Davis, here.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

"...for every single person who perished at the World Trade Centre, Pennsylvania or The Pentagon, another 50 have died in the Middle East. Keep it in mind.
"http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2878398.html
How many will be enough? Even Biblical vengeance had an end. Already we are way past the seven times mark, approaching the seventy and seven, easily.

FED UP said...

Troy Davis = THUG!!

“The jury found beyond a reasonable doubt that Troy Anthony Davis shot and wounded a man at a party earlier in the evening, then pistol-whipped a homeless man. When Officer Mark MacPhail, who was off duty, intervened to help the beating victim, Davis killed the officer, shooting him three times — once in the face after he was down to “finish him off.”

JUSY OF HIS PEERS!!!
Lets not forget the police officer!! He left behind a family, kids grew up without a father. What about him? We always seem to forget the victim and their families!!!!!!!!!!!!Davis was the beneficiary of several close looks. Now perhaps justice can be served. Coles a BLACK MAN THUG who was with Davis testified against him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FED UP said...

HE HAD A JURY OF HIS PEERS!!!!!!!!!!

FED UP said...

http://www.odmp.org/officer/8410-officer-mark-allen-macphail-sr


Officer Mark MacPhail was shot and killed while working an off duty security job at a bus station. He was shot while attempting to break up a fight in the parking lot of a nearby fast food restaurant.

The man shot him underneath his vest and then again in the head as he fell.

The subject was sentenced to death. On March 28, 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the man's appeal.

Officer MacPhail was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Savannah Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife, 1-year-old daughter, infant son, mother, and siblings.

Redeye said...

FED UP, obviously you don't like to click hyper links, but this is what's going on with the jury of Troy Davis' peers. There is too much doubt. As for Davis being a Thug, I guess it depends on what your definition of a Thug IS. As for the dead officer, executing an innocent man won't bring justice or closure to his family and friends.

Troy Davis was convicted of murdering a Georgia police officer in 1991. Nearly two decades later, Davis remains on death row — even though the case against him has fallen apart.

The case against him consisted entirely of witness testimony which contained inconsistencies even at the time of the trial. Since then, all but two of the state's non-police witnesses from the trial have recanted or contradicted their testimony.
Many of these witnesses have stated in sworn affidavits that they were pressured or coerced by police into testifying or signing statements against Troy Davis.
One of the two witnesses who has not recanted his testimony is Sylvester "Red" Coles — the principle alternative suspect, according to the defense, against whom there is new evidence implicating him as the gunman. Nine individuals have signed affidavits implicating Sylvester Coles.

FED UP said...

Either he did it or Sylvester "Red" Cole did. If you choose to run and hang with thugs because you are a thug yourself than as they say SHIT HAPPENS. He was no saint and committed crimes before the murder!!
The appeals have been exhausted and the Supreme Court turned the case down so they must know something we do not. I will stand by their decision. May he have a peaceful death and a quick trip to hell!

FED UP said...

Witnesses in the 1991 trial claimed Davis and two others were harassing a homeless man in Burger King restaurant parking lot when MacPhail attempted to help the man. Witnesses testified at trial that Davis shot MacPhail twice and fled.

But no physical evidence was presented linking Davis to MacPhail's death.

But the appeals court ruled that none of the recantations amounted to proving Davis' innocence.

Two of four eyewitnesses now say they didn't see the shooter, and testimony by two other eyewitnesses was UNCHANGED!! Two other witnesses changed their testimony, but it still conflicts with Davis', the court said.

When we view all of this evidence as a whole, we cannot honestly say that Davis can establish by clear and convincing evidence that a jury would not have found him guilty of Officer MacPhail's murder," the court said.

Redeye said...

republicans are pro life and pro death penalty. Go figure.

FED UP said...

A human being who is a murderer! Anyone who kills cops should die quickly!!!! Again I'm an independent!

Redeye said...

republicans are pro life as long as it's in the womb after that all bets are off.

FED UP said...

I think if you want an abotion it's none of my business. I feel that the father should also have to agree before the female can do it but that's there choice not mine.

I do agree 100% with the death penalty and feel that it is not used enough. Why sit on death row 20 years? It would save the tax payers money if it were done within 5 years of being found guilty.Everyone on death row had a JURY OF THEIR PEERS!

Redeye said...

How would you like to have FED UP on your jury? Shudder.

FED UP said...

You are right but it's the best system in the world! Do you have a better idea? If I were on a jury I'd listen to the evidence and come to the best logical conclusion!

Redeye said...

Nope. Juries don't listen to the evidence and come to the best logical conclusion FED UP. Ever heard of "beyond a reasonable doubt"? If not, here is an example:
"Either Davis did it or Sylvester did it."

FED UP said...

I have heard of that and I was not on the jury. I was making a point that those 2 guys were together that night and one testified against the other so one of them had to do it. That's was a point that I made without knowing all the evidence! Thanks for twisting it! Again a jury of his PEERS said he was guilty! PERIOD!

Redeye said...

"That's was a point that I made without knowing all the evidence!"

Exactly, there you go again passing judgement without knowing all the evidence. PERIOD!

FED UP said...

Again HE WAS TRIED BY A JURY OF HIS PEERS AND FOUND GUILTY!!!!!!!!!!!! Therefore carry out his punishment!!

Redeye said...

Again there is reasonable doubt therefore STFU.