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Remembering 9/11: Ten Years

Archive: 26 posts

Surprising how fast time flies, huh? It almost feels like it happened yesterday...

On September 11, 2001, four hijacked passenger jets were sent over to the East Coast to terrorize the American public. Two of them crashed into the World Trade Center (Twin Towers), devastating New York City and killing over 2,700 alone. A third crashed into the Pentagon, killing well over 100 more and threatening American security. The fourth one, intended for the White House, was fought over by the passengers on-board and crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all 40 passengers. In all, about 3,000 people died that day. That's more than the bombing at Pearl Harbor.

It's been ten years since. Iraq has been liberated from Saddam Hussein's rule. The Pentagon has been restored and is still running. Corruption in the Middle East is being driven out by the people of their own respective countries. Obama became our first African-American president. Osama bin Laden is dead. Terrorism is now being combated on a global scale. And now, as we speak, a new tower, One World Trade Center (Freedom Tower), is being erected on Ground Zero, in defiance to the threats and ambitions of the extremist groups of Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, Hammas, and several other organizations who wish to eradicate the US and other Westernized countries. 9/11 changed the course of modern history forever.

I remember that I was only 7 when this happened. Before we left for school, this breaking news came on. The news anchor was rather shocked and was reading quite fast as the scene of two, smoking towers began to unfold. Hundreds of cameras were pointed at these buildings, and, being so little, I couldn't help but wonder why they were smoking so profusely. Then, as though one was bad enough, the second plane came in and cleaved into the other. After a couple of minutes... they finally fell. I didn't understand it at the time, but I just watched 2,700 people die in a matter of seconds. Those could have easily been my friends, my neighbors, even my own family. And now, after ten years... I'm thankful our country did something about it. Because you don't attack the United States of America without some major backlash.

It's been ten years since 9/11. Let us remember that fateful day that will forever remain in infamy, and let us share our own experiences.		2011-09-11 16:47:00

Author:
Outlaw-Jack
Posts: 5757

Well, my over-riding memory is the Aftermath of 9/11;
The illegal wars - the drone killings, Abu Graib, Guantanamo Bay etc etc.

America's standing is lower now than it has ever been, and it's down to their reaction to the 9/11 attacks.
They turned what was a criminal terrorist attack, into a propaganda war.
You can only declare war on another army - maybe why they chose to start a war with Saddam Hussain - despite him having nothing to do with 9/11 - but when did 'facts' (like WMD) get in the way of a good war?

Sure, I feel extreme empathy and sympathy for the victims of 9/11 - but not any more than for the unsung victims of 9/11 - the ones killled by America. (an estimated 100,000+)


You did ask 		2011-09-11 17:22:00

Author:
Macnme
Posts: 1970

Well, my over-riding memory is the Aftermath of 9/11;
The illegal wars - the drone killings, Abu Graib, Guantanamo Bay etc etc.

America's standing is lower now than it has ever been, and it's down to their reaction to the 9/11 attacks.
They turned what was a criminal terrorist attack, into a propaganda war.
You can only declare war on another army - maybe why they chose to start a war with Saddam Hussain - despite him having nothing to do with 9/11 - but when did 'facts' (like WMD) get in the way of a good war?

Sure, I feel extreme empathy and sympathy for the victims of 9/11 - but not any more than for the unsung victims of 9/11 - the ones killled by America. (an estimated 100,000+)


You did ask

Always count on Macnme to be brutally honest... I totally agree with you, I've been disgusted about what my country has done for years, and I just hope it can tun aroud again...

Though, I should say... you should probably keep your ramblings down a little today, some people are much more sensitive to it then I.		2011-09-11 17:50:00

Author:
theswweet
Posts: 2468

My uncle, who lives in New York worked in one of the Trade Centre towers. The night before the attacks, he had been out at a football game and consequently scheduled to come in a little later to work thank usual. As he arrived and entered the ground floor lobby, the first plane hit.

I was at school in year 5, I was 9 at the time. I can remember walking home with my Mum in a hurry. I was unclear as to what was going on, my Mum was very upset and there were many confused phone calls between family members trying to find out more information. I remember seeing it on TV, as the whole world did, wondering what would happen next.

Luckily, my uncle was safe. He was lucky, extremely lucky. If he'd been on time for work though...well, we'll never know. He was just lucky. Sadly, he knew a lot of people who were not. I met him whist I was in New York 6 years ago, he's one of the nicest people i've ever met. We went to ground zero to pay our respects. Going there really puts things into perspective.

10 years, wow. I can remember thinking what the site would look like in 2011, what sounded like such a long time has gone by so quickly.

I'd really rather not talk about the implications that day had on the world and how much it changed things. Instead, I would like to express sympathy for those who perished and respect for those who helped. Let's hope nothing this terrible ever happens again.		2011-09-11 17:52:00

Author:
Mr_T-Shirt
Posts: 1477

10 years is such an arbitrary number aswell;
As if 10 has "more importance" than 9 or 11 or 8 or 12.
& it's all because we had the Roman Decimal system forced upon us.

That's the kind of weird thing I think about.		2011-09-11 18:12:00

Author:
Macnme
Posts: 1970

Well, it's better for people to have milestones where they can reflect on what's happened since then. Of course, one may see 10 as an arbitrary number and only significant because our entire numerical system runs off it, but it's harder to see changes by the year. An anniversary like this makes putting things into perspective a lot easier.

After all, when you've got something like this, how can you try and separate the years? It becomes a drone of thought, it never leaves your mind. You need a mark, somewhere where you can pick apart the years, the timeline, where you can step off to side and see things from there. Sometimes this time-frame is a year, or five, but there is some poignancy in remembering 9/11 on the 11th year of our millennium. When the entire skyline of your city is changed, when practically everyone in a city knows someone who was killed that day, you need an anniversary to look at things. Now, I've got no idea what that is really like. I wasn't living in the US at the time, I was too young to remember it today, and only years later would I gain the understanding necessary to reflect on the event. A couple of years back we went to Ground Zero, and it's so amazingly difficult to imagine that those two grand towers once stood there. Imagine those who DID see the towers there, who lived their lives passing by the towers, seeing them, who go back to only see emptiness, loss. It's painful to even contemplate, and they bear the scars of the attack.

So on this day, beautifully commemorated by that good old tyrant the Roman Numerical System, I send my regards to those lost in the towers, in the Pentagon, and in the planes, and I send my heartfelt thanks to those who risked, and those who lost, their lives to save those who were in danger, and the brave passengers of Flight 93 for their heroic deed and sacrifice.


But I gotta say, Macnme, you've really got to get a new song-and-dance routine. Last one's getting old, I guessed the contents of your posts before I even clicked on this thread 		2011-09-11 18:47:00

Author:
Astrosimi
Posts: 2046

Well, when America starts playing a different tune, then maybe I'll get a new song & dance
When is America going to hold a rememberance for all of the civilian victims it's killed - not just in the 10 years since 9/11 - but in the 20 years before that, and reads out the name of each victim aloud?
Right now, all I see is hypocricy. A justification for all of the evils committed in the act of "securing freedom".

Eg;
Definition of Terrorism: those violent acts which are intended to create fear (terror), are perpetrated for a religious, political or ideological goal, and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants (civilians).

To me, that sounds exactly like Operation Shock And Awe - the opening gambit of the Iraq war which killed more civilians than 9/11.

But I suppose that's regarded as "disrespectful" 		2011-09-11 18:59:00

Author:
Macnme
Posts: 1970

I can't remember that day at all, but at church today I was fighting back tears.

A strange coincidence: Mark917, with the highest rated criticisms of 9/11 tributes, said "I'm Christian, but unless I see God tomorrow I'm open to criticism and mocking of Him." He also had a friendly debate with me about it.		2011-09-11 19:34:00

Author:
49er Nation
Posts: 429

& please don't misunderstand me.

I am just unswayed by emotional appeals to the 10 year anniversary - seeing as I find it an arbitrary number.

I honestly don't mean to be disrespectful.
I view all human life as equally precious - I don't value a British persons life above an Americans - or an Americans life above an Iraqi's or Iranian or Afghans.

But here's something to think about, unpallatable as it may be.
If, as George Dubya Bush said, that 9/11 was a "declaration of war" - then the people who died on 9/11 were not 'victims', but collateral damage. If it were a crime, then they would be victims - but War is different.
And if so, then their deaths are justified. If America can justify the deaths of 100x more civilians as died on 9/11 as collateral damage of the war on terror... then in terms of warfare - the collataral damage from 9/11 is remarkably smaller than was inflicted on America's enemies - and in this sense, is a victory.

It's still one of the most chilling things I've ever seen on TV - was an American General justifying how they had accidentally blown up an orphanage by saying "Regretably, there was some stray ordinance that caused collateral damage." - Even after years, those words still terrify and haunt me.		2011-09-11 19:51:00

Author:
Macnme
Posts: 1970

I am a patriotic American. And the way I see it, such an act of terrorism is unacceptable... And by act of terrorism, I mean the media coverage of 9/11. Terrorists want to cause fear in America. In their victims. They won because we reacted so violently. We SHOULD have just gone on with our lives, whilst trying hard to find the culprit. But instead, we reacted in fear. We need to be quiet, calm, and sane. We have to stop using 9/11 as a symbol. Not stop caring, but stop using it. That is the only way we can win. Until that day, Bin Laden is still alive in the hearts and minds of us all.

I love my country. I want to see it be as amazing as it used to be. But with so many fear mongering domestic terrorists on our own FOX news, how can it?		2011-09-11 20:26:00

Author:
poorjack
Posts: 1806

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW8puRqE4Sc
I was in my first grade class that day, and I couldn?t seem to figure out why my teacher ran to the teachers lounge several times that day and after the probably the second time she came back crying.		2011-09-11 22:05:00

Author:
aceofthorns
Posts: 288

"I'd really rather not talk about the implications that day had on the world and how much it changed things. Instead, I would like to express sympathy for those who perished and respect for those who helped. Let's hope nothing this terrible ever happens again. "Mr_T-Shirt"

"So on this day, beautifully commemorated by that good old tyrant the Roman Numerical System, I send my regards to those lost in the towers, in the Pentagon, and in the planes, and I send my heartfelt thanks to those who risked, and those who lost, their lives to save those who were in danger, and the brave passengers of Flight 93 for their heroic deed and sacrifice." Astrosimi

aceofthorns video

Thank you for centering on the real priority imo.

I was an adult at the time. I remember all too clearly that day. We as a Nation had not experienced anything like it. It changed people, opinion and lives.
My heart goes out to the families of all who experienced, and still are, such a senseless loss.		2011-09-11 23:23:00

Author:
Lady_Luck__777
Posts: 3458

To me, today is about respecting the victims of 9/11 and the heroes that ran into those buildings to save them, as well as the ones that died in the process. They are all simply people that did what they could in the face of horrible devastation.

I remember photos from all over the world showing tons of people stopping to reflect on the tragedies 10 years ago with the lighting of candles outside US embassies and other places. Why can't we just be like that and pause to reflect rather than bringing up all this other stuff? Doing so just shows little respect or heart. It's a bit like breaking into a funeral service to denounce something the deceased may have done or grandstand your views upon people that are simply there to mourn the dead and comfort their family and friends. Just try and show a bit of respect today.

Tomorrow, you can bash us and call us whatever you like, but let us be in peace today.		2011-09-11 23:33:00

Author:
jwwphotos
Posts: 11383

I'm watched something on TV about it today. It makes me feel sad seeing it Seeing what all those people went through, all the lives of the innocent people that were taken..
I hope and pray for the people that thankfully got out alive, to find peace after the tragedy.
I pray that nothing this bad happens again.
I deeply respect those that risked their lives going into that building to save countless lives. And some lost their own lives in the process.		2011-09-12 01:42:00

Author:
Unknown User

I am a patriotic American. And the way I see it, such an act of terrorism is unacceptable... And by act of terrorism, I mean the media coverage of 9/11. Terrorists want to cause fear in America. In their victims. They won because we reacted so violently. We SHOULD have just gone on with our lives, whilst trying hard to find the culprit. But instead, we reacted in fear. We need to be quiet, calm, and sane. We have to stop using 9/11 as a symbol. Not stop caring, but stop using it. That is the only way we can win. Until that day, Bin Laden is still alive in the hearts and minds of us all.

I love my country. I want to see it be as amazing as it used to be. But with so many fear mongering domestic terrorists on our own FOX news, how can it?

This, 100x this.		2011-09-12 01:53:00

Author:
theswweet
Posts: 2468

I was six at the time, and was far too young to understand what was going on. I live in Pennsylvania, and actually have since visited the memorial of the the crash site of the plane that thankfully never reached is target, thanks to several incredibly brave passengers whos story will never be known...2011-09-12 02:34:00

Author:
ATMLVE
Posts: 1177

Jihad(The Holy War) was disgusting, i used to be a muslim myself, and i faced criticism from my peers because of the whole thing. People should stop fussing over this whole "muslims are evil" thing. A few thousand people died by the hands of extremists, not even true muslims, insane psychopaths. Should i go on about how Christian beliefs caused both the Holocaust AND The Crusades? What about Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Im pretty sure alot more people died there. Its called The World Trade Center, not the "Middle Class Caucasian Protestant Trade Center" People shouldnt be so prejudice about it there were people every color of the rainbow there. I feel even worse about the war that followed, i saw that video by The Sunshine Press not too long ago, absolutely disgusting what kind of things we perform just to find a single man. If anything happens its Americas own **** fault. We have this constitution with religious freedom tatooed on its behind and we poke around in other peoples' holy land.2011-09-12 07:26:00

Author:
Charlemagne
Posts: 513

What about the innocents killed in the Iraq invasion and war? Who's remembering those victims after 10 years? Estimates tell 150.000 Iraqis have died. 90.000 of them were civilians, and the invaders have nothing to show for it. What's 3.000 deaths compared to that?

Oh wait, those were war casualties. A mostly American war, no less. In that case, there's no problem. At all. Totally justified.		2011-09-12 22:06:00

Author:
SnipySev
Posts: 2452

I hoped that this thread would help acknowledge 9/11 and pay tribute to it. However, all I find is commentary on how my country screwed up and how none of this would've happened in the first place if we didn't provoke it, brutal honesty or not.

Did you think that we expected this to happen? Did you think that we intended on those towers to fall in order to trigger a war against terrorism on a global scale? If we stood by and just let it slide, then the terrorists would win due to our inaction. It would show our cowardice as a nation and our inability as a global superpower. Now, don't get me wrong; I hate war. However, when given the options to either do something or stand by as these extremists mock and insult us (while killing our & their own people, remember), I'd favor the one that's progressive and gets things done, if even minor.

9/11 isn't only about the United States of America and its victims on that day. It also stands in tribute to the others who have died in the struggle to extinguish terrorism, and the many innocent who have died, all around the world, during these past 10 years. 9/11 isn't just about four jet planes crashing into buildings. It's also a reminder of the things we fight for: to secure safety to our country, to protect the innocent, and to prevent another tragedy like that from happening again. If those planes were intended for another country's landmarks, such as the UK's Big Ben or France's Eiffel Tower (which have been targeted before), and they succeeded, what would they have done? You don't let something like this happen and just stand idly by; it's not human nature.

As far as I'm concerned, most people in America aren't prejudice against Muslims. Sure, you have your stereotypes (mostly white) who you'd think would hate them, but you don't hear of crimes or murders committed on someone just because they're Muslim or Arabian. Hate can go both ways; as some people might hate Muslims, Muslims might hate some people. But it's not like America has an overall hatred for Muslims since 9/11; in fact, I think they're more understanding of them more. What the media and news put out there only represents the 1% of the majority. They radicalize and twist words around to draw in attention, and some people might misinterpret that as truth. So stop focusing on the 1% and think about the other 99%; you can't believe everything you see on TV or in newspapers.

So, let's stop arguing about how messed-up the USA is and how 9/11 completely blows off the millions of others who have been affected by terrorist attacks globally... and please just go back to remembering and learning from that tragic incident 10 years ago.		2011-09-13 03:39:00

Author:
Outlaw-Jack
Posts: 5757

I would have to respectfully disagree with most of what you've said there (there's a surprise);

9/11 is just that - a terrorist attack involving 4 planes and some angry muslim extremists. It's not a "symbol", or a "reminder" - or rather is only that if you make it as such.
In "declaring war" you have legitimised the terror attacks as a "declaration of war", rather than treating it as a criminal act.
Only, rather than abide by the rules of warfare - America has lowered itself to the same level as the terrorists, by justifying things like kidnapping, torture, indefinate detention without trial, and assasination - all in the name of securing "freedom" - not realising, that in doing so, you have abandoned the very principles you supposedly stand for and are letting the terrorists win by reacting with fear and violence.

There has been a marked increase in anti-muslim violence and bigotry... all because of the "symbolism" used when using 9/11 as a propaganda tool to further American interests in the middle east. They might not have intended for the 9/11 attacks to happen - but they have certainly twisted it to their own advantage at every oppertunity. It's what politicians do - take advantage of current events to further their own political interests.

You forget that Britain especially has a long history of dealing with terrorism, first with the IRA, and then with muslim extremists. Only, the muslim extremists we had to deal with were "home-grown" terrorists, who were radicalised post 9/11 - as a direct reaction to our reaction.
When we were tackling the IRA terrorists (which America helped to fund - so don't get me started on "extinguishing terrorism") - we treated each individual act of terrorism as a crime - while simultaneously trying to address the political issues that were the cause of said crime.
America will at some point have to do the same - the only way you will get peace in Afghanistan - is to stop fighting and start talking.

In one breath you say "9/11 isn't just about 9/11 - it's about everything else" - and in the next breath say "stop going on about everything else and focus on 9/11".

As one journalist put it;
"If the United States wants to improve its image in the Islamic world," he said, "it should stop killing Muslims."

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/images/091130_walt_chart.png

^^^
These are low end estimates - the real figure is probably MUCH higher.		2011-09-13 16:32:00

Author:
Macnme
Posts: 1970

Well all arguments aside, I just came here to acknowledge all deaths caused in 9/11 and its aftermath, American, Muslim, and anyone else unlucky enough to have been involved. u_u2011-09-13 17:17:00

Author:
PygmyOwl
Posts: 1316

Well all arguments aside, I just came here to acknowledge all deaths caused in 9/11 and its aftermath, American, Muslim, and anyone else unlucky enough to have been involved. u_u

No-one's going to argue with that.

http://artofpeaceconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/large_peace_symbol.gif		2011-09-13 18:31:00

Author:
Macnme
Posts: 1970

Mac, just when I was getting all steamed at you, you go and throw the peace sign. Love ya man.2011-09-13 19:25:00

Author:
biorogue
Posts: 8424

What? I see MGS: Peace Walker's sign 2011-09-13 22:35:00

Author:
SnipySev
Posts: 2452

I would have to respectfully disagree with most of what you've said there (there's a surprise);

Knowing you, it isn't, really.


9/11 is just that - a terrorist attack involving 4 planes and some angry muslim extremists. It's not a "symbol", or a "reminder" - or rather is only that if you make it as such.
In "declaring war" you have legitimised the terror attacks as a "declaration of war", rather than treating it as a criminal act.
Only, rather than abide by the rules of warfare - America has lowered itself to the same level as the terrorists, by justifying things like kidnapping, torture, indefinate detention without trial, and assasination - all in the name of securing "freedom" - not realising, that in doing so, you have abandoned the very principles you supposedly stand for and are letting the terrorists win by reacting with fear and violence.

As far as I know, our troops have not done kidnapping, torture, indefinite detention without trial and assassination. Unless you were referring to Saddam Hussein, in which case that was his own people; we only found him for them. Let's not forget how many of his own people he's killed with gas. It's not like the Taliban or Al-Qaeda are making conditions in their own countries any better. And why do you think we've been begging for so long to withdraw troops from the Middle East? We hate war, we hate being blamed for everything, and we hate being asked to step in for everything (by the same countries that end up ridiculing us later). Heck, those riots in the UK got so bad that your officials were begging for us to send over our own men to aid them. We don't go out killing random people to justify an attack that happened on our shores. We set out to make sure that a tragedy on that scale doesn't happen again, and if that means that we have to take out the trash other countries are too weak to handle, then so be it.


There has been a marked increase in anti-muslim violence and bigotry... all because of the "symbolism" used when using 9/11 as a propaganda tool to further American interests in the middle east. They might not have intended for the 9/11 attacks to happen - but they have certainly twisted it to their own advantage at every oppertunity. It's what politicians do - take advantage of current events to further their own political interests.

Are you sure it's politicians, or are you thinking of the CEOs and big companies that are usually mistaken for them? The US has not issued any anti-Muslim, or anti-ethnic, policies or laws that could possibly discriminate against Islam or Arabic culture. Europe, on the other hand, has issued several anti-Muslim and restricting policies since 9/11. And, while it's sad that the last statement you made is true, that applies for all politicians- even your own. Don't tell me that you've already forgotten about the BP oil spill?


You forget that Britain especially has a long history of dealing with terrorism, first with the IRA, and then with muslim extremists. Only, the muslim extremists we had to deal with were "home-grown" terrorists, who were radicalised post 9/11 - as a direct reaction to our reaction.
When we were tackling the IRA terrorists (which America helped to fund - so don't get me started on "extinguishing terrorism") - we treated each individual act of terrorism as a crime - while simultaneously trying to address the political issues that were the cause of said crime.
America will at some point have to do the same - the only way you will get peace in Afghanistan - is to stop fighting and start talking.

We're taking our troops out of Afghanistan; we've been waiting to take our troops out of Afghanistan. Let's not forget that the UK sent in their own troops to help us during these wars, so don't try playing the "Britain is superior" card when both countries are doing the same thing. While your country dealt with the Irish Republican Army, the US had to deal with its own outlaws, mafias and several invading countries (including your own) on a landmass ten times the size of the British Isles, all before the first World War. And as far as I'm concerned, unless you have indefinite proof that the United States funded the IRA, which in fact turned to Germany in WWII and Marxist thinking, both of which are completely contrary to American beliefs, I'm afraid I cannot claim your statement as valid.


In one breath you say "9/11 isn't just about 9/11 - it's about everything else" - and in the next breath say "stop going on about everything else and focus on 9/11".

It was a time to reflect, and to think. It wasn't a time to highlight all of the apparent faults in a country- something that I could've easily done for the UK if this were the other way around.


As one journalist put it;
"If the United States wants to improve its image in the Islamic world," he said, "it should stop killing Muslims."

Alright then. Let's take out all of our troops immediately and see how many Muslims are killed by the radicals that rule them.


http://www.foreignpolicy.com/images/091130_walt_chart.png

^^^
These are low end estimates - the real figure is probably MUCH higher.

As long as statistics come from media, they will always be false. So unless that was confirmed from a valid resource that produced a diagnosis from raw facts instead of estimates, I'm afraid those statistics have to be wrong.

Please, next time something like this happens, just leave it alone. We already think bad of ourselves in the first place, so your "brutal honesty" isn't helping.		2011-09-14 02:50:00

Author:
Outlaw-Jack
Posts: 5757

I'd have to disagree with that, there have been several hundred accounts of slaughter of innocent muslims during the "war". Search sunshinepress on youtube. The video is called "Collateral Murder" i believe, it showcases what kind of atrocities the Government is performing. It was not some kind of horrible mistake, it was entirely on purpose, 12 people on a news team dead, and 2 children injured. They had no weapons whatsoever, and they reported them having RPGs and AKs. The U.S. Government is discriminative against islam, in fact, most of politics involving 9/11 is attempting to keep muslims from expressing religious freedom in mosques around New York City. The count for islamic civilian casualties is absolutely high, the war against terrorism is no more than a holocaust justified by racial profiling. Declaring war on terrorism is like declaring war on a ghost, you can fight back all you want, but it will be there until you die, so its best to ignore it.2011-09-14 07:18:00

Author:
Charlemagne
Posts: 513


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