I really never thought this could possibly happen, but at some point this morning, while getting ready for work, I got sick and tired of hearing about 9/11.
This has probably building in me for weeks, as this grim and morbid anniversary approached, and the controversy over ABC's shitty movie grew, and the remembrances were planned by all the caring and sympathetic people in the corporate offices of the major networks and by the generous, selfless souls in the government halls of power throughout the land. It started getting me questioning why we are going through this ritual self flagellation over and over again.
And then this morning, I lost it. I think I can pinpoint the moment. It was when I heard the announcer on some news channel say that there would be a moment of silence when the first plane hit the north tower at 8:46 that clear and sunny day five years ago. Ok, I thought, that makes sense. But wait. There will be another one when the second plane hit. Right, I see. And then another one when the Pentagon was struck. Mmmhmm. And then another when the first tower collapsed. Uh, but... And then at least one more when the second tower collapsed and, wait for it, one more when the last went down in Pennsylvania.
Look, I completely understand the families and friends that need to mourn for their loved ones. I have no doubt that they find a way to do this on their own. I also understand that this was a national trauma that we all felt and that we don't ever want to forget, as if we possibly could.
But I'm sorry, all this pomp and circumstance looks like its set up more for incumbents than families. Its starting to look more and more like exploitation, and I'm getting sick of it, and a little disgusted too. The wife and kids who lost their husband and father don't need Bloomberg to tell them how much they hurt. They don't need Pataki to express sorrow for their loved ones. And they certainly don't need Bush wrapping himself in the flag every 9/11 and using them for his "War on Terra".
The MSM is using the families for ratings and the politicians are using them for votes. That's what it all has come down to, as if we couldn't have predicted this five years ago when our national unity was at a zenith. The tools of manipulation have been honed to a fine art since the naive and simple days of Pearl Harbor, or even Oklahoma City for chrissakes.
Let's remember the day, but please, can we find a way to keep it simple, respectful and quiet, as befits the memory of those who died, and that finally does not use the families for the purposes of power and influence. Can we all do that, somehow?