9/11: One American's Brief Reflection

I never need an anniversary to reflect on a particular moment in time.  The tenth anniversary is no more important (especially to those who lost loved ones) than the first or the sixteenth.  For me, not a month goes by that I don't think about that terrible day.  That said, I found myself near tears and repeatedly choked up watching the ceremony on television today.  I even got a bit choked up watching the wonderful Budweiser commercial where the Clydesdales bow their heads towards lower Manhattan, Lady Liberty, and the rising new World Trade Center in the distance.    

When I think back, the images of the planes crashing, the buildings smoking and tumbling, and the people, are as fresh in my memory today as they were when they were seared there ten years ago.  The most and awe-inspiring and iconic image I recall is of the Statue of Liberty silhouetted against the billowing cloud and debris.  This scene was in contrast to the images of death and destruction being broadcast over and over.  She was unchanged, unphased, stalwartly looking forward, raising high the torch, while a nation sat dazed and bloodied.  While arms were mustered throughout the country, she lit the way, simply as she does every day, illuminating liberty, justice, and equality.  

One day, my daughter will ask me the same questions I asked my parents when we learned, in history class, about Kennedy's assassination: Where were you? and What did you do next?  My law professor answered the second question for me.  On September 12 he informed us that we were to continue as usual, for the study of law is even more vital when faced with such monumental disregard for the law.

No one who remembers will ever forget, and those who were not yet born will certainly be taught.  Hopefully, we can all learn the true lessons of that day: the need for tolerance and respect, and of the value of human life, that had not been taught to those (or by those) who reminded us so violently, that those lessons are invaluable.              

Deligitmization of Washington

There is a potential for perpetual gridlock in Washington.  Should (or when) a Republican be elected president, and the nation recoils and elects a Democratic legislature, we could find ourselves with the same political stagnancy.  Since the congressional elections, neither Congress, nor the president, has been able to pass anything but the simplest and least controversial of measures.  This is due in part to the evaporation of a moderate base.  Eventually, states may simply decide to take matters into their own hands with regards to education, jobs, the environment, etc.  While legislators do everything they can to avoid losing the next election, including ignoring their constituents' calls for compromise and collaboration, Americans may decide they simply do not need them anymore.  If the electorate remains mired in the mud, Americans won't have any choice but to go it alone.

Rhetoric Keeps Ideas Out of Focus

It's election season (as always).  Tough words are being used by Republicans against Democrats, by Democrats against Republicans, between Republicans etc.  This is nothing new, but it remains as unfortunate as ever.  Using words like "cross-hairs", "targets", "bulls-eye", and the like appeal to our basest emotions.  This Slate article highlights some of the more choice words.  When working on such levels, we are incapable of having real dialogue.  These words are used to rally the masses, not to foster a discussion of the real problems facing our nation.  As long as we use (and by using, encourage) "tough talk", politicians keep the focus off the issues.  Either intelligent discussions are taking place behind closed doors in Washington, or the tough talk has seeped into back offices and conference rooms creating gridlock.  Only the various economic indicators will tell.