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twincityhackerToday was a news blackout day. No news programs, no radio shows, no newspapers. I didn't even darken the link to a political blog.
Because it's That Day.
As the aviverseies pass, it seems to be worse and worse. I get to know people who were deeply effected by the events that happened. Some of it is do to my own choices, like watching the graphic documentary "The Man in the Orange Shirt." I can't see a picture of That Day without crying or nearly crying, now.
But it's not the grief that compels me today, but the rage. Not the ones who actually did the job, as they're beyond earthly justice. But the people who are still breathing that made the plan, or made that day even worse. I'm angry about the people who died because someone else didn't do their job right, before or after That Day. I'm angry about the people who died in the buildings because there were bad calls made during the evacuation, that the people who went in didn't have working equipment, that after the collapse that the dust and debris and remains made people chronically sick because they were at the site looking for survivors.
I'm angry that the first war that was started because of That Day was pushed aside for another war was used as justification to go into a war that killed far, far more people but didn't have anything to do with the attacks. I'm angry that the first war isn't a priority for politicians who are trying to convince the people there that they shouldn't side with the terrorists while they behave just as bad. I'm angry that politicians tell us that we must have fewer rights applied to fewer people because otherwise the bogeymen will get us.
I'm angry that I can't even think September 11th without feeling used. That the dead and the living are being used for petty, personal gain. That our best impulses and worse fears are used against us by those who should protect us.
But mostly, I'm angry about the 120,818 - 128,804 dead, including American soldiers and civilians in the war and on 9/11, the soldiers from the rest of the countries, and estimates of the Iraqi and Afghani civilians. And that number could be almost 20,000 higher, since the records of Afghani civilians killed is a complete mess.
PS 128,804 is .05% of the population in the US.
Because it's That Day.
As the aviverseies pass, it seems to be worse and worse. I get to know people who were deeply effected by the events that happened. Some of it is do to my own choices, like watching the graphic documentary "The Man in the Orange Shirt." I can't see a picture of That Day without crying or nearly crying, now.
But it's not the grief that compels me today, but the rage. Not the ones who actually did the job, as they're beyond earthly justice. But the people who are still breathing that made the plan, or made that day even worse. I'm angry about the people who died because someone else didn't do their job right, before or after That Day. I'm angry about the people who died in the buildings because there were bad calls made during the evacuation, that the people who went in didn't have working equipment, that after the collapse that the dust and debris and remains made people chronically sick because they were at the site looking for survivors.
I'm angry that the first war that was started because of That Day was pushed aside for another war was used as justification to go into a war that killed far, far more people but didn't have anything to do with the attacks. I'm angry that the first war isn't a priority for politicians who are trying to convince the people there that they shouldn't side with the terrorists while they behave just as bad. I'm angry that politicians tell us that we must have fewer rights applied to fewer people because otherwise the bogeymen will get us.
I'm angry that I can't even think September 11th without feeling used. That the dead and the living are being used for petty, personal gain. That our best impulses and worse fears are used against us by those who should protect us.
But mostly, I'm angry about the 120,818 - 128,804 dead, including American soldiers and civilians in the war and on 9/11, the soldiers from the rest of the countries, and estimates of the Iraqi and Afghani civilians. And that number could be almost 20,000 higher, since the records of Afghani civilians killed is a complete mess.
PS 128,804 is .05% of the population in the US.
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no subject
Date: 2008-09-12 02:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-12 10:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-13 04:16 am (UTC)When the Columbia disaster happened, I was in an SAT prepatory class, and throughout the drive home I kept thinking, "why are the flags at half mast? Did I miss something?"
Then I got home and found out. I felt like such a douche.
(Ironically enough, I ended up taking the ACT instead. Go figure)
no subject
Date: 2008-09-12 08:59 am (UTC)You know how I feel about this - and I totally agree with Olbermann. I cried during the RNC.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-12 10:58 pm (UTC)That Olbermann video, plus the September 11th posts, sparked this posting.