Post by anointedteacher on Sept 12, 2010 21:10:48 GMT -5
Laura Bush and Michelle Obama Make Us Proud; Palin and Beck Terrorize
September 12, 2010 in Uncategorized
malialitman.wordpress.com/2010/09/12/laura-bush-and-michelle-obama-make-us-proud-palin-and-beck-terrorize/
The people who died in the World Trade Center attack of 9-11 were victims. Most Americans share great sympathy for the victims and their families. Some of the victims of the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center were police and firemen who rushed in attempting to save lives; when their natural instinct told them to stay far away. They were “heroes”. A group of 40 people on a plane bound for Washington D.C. were also heroes. Not only did they recognize what was happening to their plane, and to our country, but they took action. Knowing that their lives would likely be sacrificed, they fought the terrorists, and were victorious in preventing an attack on the capital of our country. They paid for that victory with their lives.
Palin appeared at a rally in Wasilla and in Anchorage with Glenn Beck. Much publicity was generated as a result of the date of the rally on 9-11. Beck and Palin intentionally caused speculation about a possible announcement that one or both would be running in 2012. Yesterday I posted an entire article regarding the inappropriate use of 9-11 by Beck and Palin for political gain.
malialitman.wordpress.com/2010/09/11/palin-and-beck-terrorize-on-9-11.
At both the Wailla appearance and the Anchorage appearance, Palin was not able to limit her comments to non-partisan, honor and respect for the victims of 9-11. In comments at both the Wasilla rally and in Anchorage Palin made limited comments using her usual catch phrases like “Do You Love Your Freedom?”. Even though she didn’t criticize Obama directly, in either appearance, she did use the phrase “it is nothing to apologize for…”. Certainly the President has been criticized by the right, and by Fox news, for apologies he has made. Thus Palin’s comments were a direct attack on President Obama, without using his name. See e.g.,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsqX6PmlYAw&feature=fvw.
Remember the President’s words:
“After 9/11, we knew that we had entered a new era — that enemies who did not abide by any law of war would present new challenges to our application of the law; that our government would need new tools to protect the American people, and that these tools would have to allow us to prevent attacks instead of simply prosecuting those who try to carry them out.
Unfortunately, faced with an uncertain threat, our government made a series of hasty decisions. I believe that many of these decisions were motivated by a sincere desire to protect the American people. But I also believe that all too often our government made decisions based on fear rather than foresight; that all too often our government trimmed facts and evidence to fit ideological predispositions. Instead of strategically applying our power and our principles, too often we set those principles aside as luxuries that we could no longer afford. And during this season of fear, too many of us — Democrats and Republicans, politicians, journalists, and citizens — fell silent.”
www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-On-National-Security-5-21-09.
Let’s remember Beck’s words about the families of 9-11 families. It was Glenn Beck who said that he “hates” some of the families of the 9-11 disaster.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf33g9ep4YU.
His comments were so outrageous that they earned him the title of the “worst person in the world” on the Keith Olberman show on MSNBC.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4Kz_d4NK34&NR=1.
Thus both Beck and Palin have used 9-11 for publicity and political advantage, instead of honoring the memory of the victims and heroes of 9-11.
Contrast the program and comments of Beck and Palin to Michelle Obama and Laura Bush. Both First Ladies, representatives of the Democrats and Republicans, in a united effort to honor the heroes of 9-11, appeared together in Shanksville Pa. to remember the passengers of flight 93 who gave their lives to protect the capital. Michelle Obama said:
“May the memory of those who gave their lives here continue to be an inspiration to you and an inspiration to all of America,”
“It was clear that these 40 individuals were no strangers to sacrifice,”
“Being a hero is not just a matter of faith, it’s a matter of choice.”
“It is truly my prayer today that all who come here will be filled with hope…”
Obama and Bush met privately with the victims’ families before the service. Obama greeted each one with a hug and her condolences.
“To have VIPs of their stature come to share the memorial service to our loved ones means a considerable amount to the families,” said Gordon Felt, the president of the Families of Flight 93, whose brother died aboard the flight.
Laura Bush told the families in attendance:
“Americans have no division” on this day.
“Nine years ago, in this skies above this field and in Washington and in New York City, we saw the worst of our enemy and the best of our nation…”
“In the face of terror, Americans chose to overcome evil.”
A moment of silence at the service near Shanksville, Pa., was broken with relatives reading aloud the names of the dead and a bell tolling for each one.
A memorial plaza is being built to remember the sacrifices of these Americans. When finished, the 2,200-acre national park will have a 93-foot tower at the entrance with wind chimes for each of the victims and a grove of trees.
Gerald Bingham, 67, of Churchill, Tenn., who lost his son, Mark, in the crash, said it meant a lot to him to have both Obama and Bush there. He said it was important that people remember the victims and support efforts to build the memorial.
“This is a story that needs to be told,” Bingham said. “It’s something we can all take a lesson from what they did on that plane.”
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/11/AR2010091102591.
Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck have learned only part of the story of 9-11. It is a story of terror, patriotism, and heroes. It is a story of the nightmare of an attack within the borders of our country, and the Americans who gave their lives protecting our freedom. Palin and Beck have demonstrated their understanding and mastery of the terrorism part of the story of 9-11. They don’t seem to have learned the story of patriotism and heroism. It is even more offensive that Beck and Palin, who dishonor the memory of these American heroes, suggest that they, themselves, are patriots.
Soldiers who go to war expect to risk their lives protecting our freedom. When average Americans board a plane they don’t plan to sacrifice their lives, or that of their children, to protect our freedom. Yet those passengers did. They weren’t concerned about the politics, the race, religion, or sexual preference of any other passenger. Those passengers were united in their common purpose to protect and defend America. For any person to attempt to use these heroes and their sacrifices for personal gain, is reprehensible. As Michelle Obama and Laura Bush demonstrated by their appearance together, 9-11 is not about politics and divisiveness. It is about patriotism, honor, and sacrifice. These are characteristics Palin and Beck talk a lot about, but seem to lack any understanding of the meaning of these words. Never will there be a better example of the evil and corruption that defines Palin and Beck than their use of 9-11 for their personal and political gain.
