For taking the site offline to honor those we lost on 9/11. Each year the news coverage decreases and it's nice to see that you continue the tradition year after year. Although it's been 14 years, it still is a really hard day for me (and I'm sure for many of us). Thanks again. It means a lot.
Thank You Paul....
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beast of the east
Active member
Late Thursday night I signed onto Redmen.com, only to be reminded that it was already 9-11 by Paul's vigilance never to forget the atrocity that occurred that day that changed our lives forever. The somber and tender memorial proceedings yesterday for me obscured the reality that something horrific and utterly senseless were perpetrated on Americans by those who are less than human.
Last night, as my flight cruised into NY from the Midwest, we came up the Hudson river on approach to LaGuardia. The entire NYC skyline was lit, with many buildings painted by red, white and blue lights. Soaring slowly past the freedom tower, the haunting memorial lasers shadowing what was the twin towers, and the memorial park very visible from my window seat, the pilot explained how they (the crew and those who fly for a living) lost many friends that day. He narrated what a breathtaking view we would see of the freedom tower from the sky.
My overriding reaction to 9-11 is still anger. How could humans snuff out 3000 innocent, civilian lives? How could they not only extinguish lives, but leave gaping holes in the lives of surviving family and friends? How could they do this for no point whatsoever, no political agenda, except to kill? . We who have lived long enough, as Americans lament atrocities that occur on the battlefield, where destroying your enemy's armed forces, or at least using force to get them to submit, is a goal. This was the worst of humanity that day, but America's subsequent response showed the very best of humanity.
How many more 9-11's must we endure, how many Fort Hood's, or Boston Marathon massacres to understand that our enemies do not want to be friends, or build bridges to peace and understanding, or even coexistence. Their sheer inhumanity and death struggle to destroy not only non Muslims, but those who Muslims who belong to other sects. All in the name of Allah, the same God of Abraham that their most fervent enemies also pray to.
So even as we placate the most active supporters of terrorism, Iran, we somehow think that by offering them an olive branch, that peace will ensue. Even as we did not request the release of 5 innocent Americans being held in Iranian prisons. As Churchill chided Chamberlain for his non aggression pact with Hitler, "You wanted honor and you wanted peace. Now you will have neither."
God bless all of you who lost someone special on Sept 11, 2001. For certain, America still grieves the loss of those 3000 lives. Last year, while strolling through Boston, I passed a church near Copley Plaza that honored the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing with multicolored ribbons covering the wrought iron fence. Hanging amid those beautiful ribbons was a solitary hand painted wooden sign that simply said, "All the darkness in the world cannot defeat a single candle."
Last night, as my flight cruised into NY from the Midwest, we came up the Hudson river on approach to LaGuardia. The entire NYC skyline was lit, with many buildings painted by red, white and blue lights. Soaring slowly past the freedom tower, the haunting memorial lasers shadowing what was the twin towers, and the memorial park very visible from my window seat, the pilot explained how they (the crew and those who fly for a living) lost many friends that day. He narrated what a breathtaking view we would see of the freedom tower from the sky.
My overriding reaction to 9-11 is still anger. How could humans snuff out 3000 innocent, civilian lives? How could they not only extinguish lives, but leave gaping holes in the lives of surviving family and friends? How could they do this for no point whatsoever, no political agenda, except to kill? . We who have lived long enough, as Americans lament atrocities that occur on the battlefield, where destroying your enemy's armed forces, or at least using force to get them to submit, is a goal. This was the worst of humanity that day, but America's subsequent response showed the very best of humanity.
How many more 9-11's must we endure, how many Fort Hood's, or Boston Marathon massacres to understand that our enemies do not want to be friends, or build bridges to peace and understanding, or even coexistence. Their sheer inhumanity and death struggle to destroy not only non Muslims, but those who Muslims who belong to other sects. All in the name of Allah, the same God of Abraham that their most fervent enemies also pray to.
So even as we placate the most active supporters of terrorism, Iran, we somehow think that by offering them an olive branch, that peace will ensue. Even as we did not request the release of 5 innocent Americans being held in Iranian prisons. As Churchill chided Chamberlain for his non aggression pact with Hitler, "You wanted honor and you wanted peace. Now you will have neither."
God bless all of you who lost someone special on Sept 11, 2001. For certain, America still grieves the loss of those 3000 lives. Last year, while strolling through Boston, I passed a church near Copley Plaza that honored the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing with multicolored ribbons covering the wrought iron fence. Hanging amid those beautiful ribbons was a solitary hand painted wooden sign that simply said, "All the darkness in the world cannot defeat a single candle."
Nice post Beast. Too bad you don't teach in some of our universities where I have read they are teaching courses on 9-11 from the Muslim point of view, that is blaming America for bringing on ourselves and where dissenting opinions are not tolerated and are met with the giving out of low grades.
While I absolutely respect the decision to take down the site on 9-11, I for one would have loved for it to be online. I was a first responder on behalf of my friend and family's request. I spent months seeing stuff I can't talk about nor get it out of my mind. It was my choice and I have to live it but places like redmen.com take my mind off of it. Sports in general do especially something I really love like SJU bball. Reading a Paultzman update or some posters who make me laugh takes my mind off of things. Just a different perspective but just glad another 9/11 is over. Couldn't turn on the TV without seeing images that make me physically ill. Be well and God bless all who were personally affected(which was pretty much everyone in one way or another).
beast of the east
Active member
All the points here make sense. It's a horrendous day to live through each year. If I never hear the roars of the engines, the videos of Americans racing away from the cloud of debris, the nightmarish aftermath, it will still be embedded in my consciousness.
Sadly many of those not directly affected by the loss of a family member of friend have too easily become desensitized. Bamafan is right - some college professors are teaching that the attack was because of American capitalism, American involvement in foreign affairs, American military causing civilian casualties - anything. Most forget that Mayor Giuliani refused a $5 million donation from an Arab sheik who wrapped around his pledge to donate a "But you've got to understand why this happened."
So yea, because too many of us see the memorial proceedings and casually think "That again" before switching channels are reminded by Paul that this was a dark day in America, and should always be remembered that way.
Thank you.
Sadly many of those not directly affected by the loss of a family member of friend have too easily become desensitized. Bamafan is right - some college professors are teaching that the attack was because of American capitalism, American involvement in foreign affairs, American military causing civilian casualties - anything. Most forget that Mayor Giuliani refused a $5 million donation from an Arab sheik who wrapped around his pledge to donate a "But you've got to understand why this happened."
So yea, because too many of us see the memorial proceedings and casually think "That again" before switching channels are reminded by Paul that this was a dark day in America, and should always be remembered that way.
Thank you.