Gel,
I totally disagree.
Yes, there are a few people who have used this event as an excuse to spew
hate and foment violence. We have always had among us the simple-minded who
are always looking for a reason to hate.
Yes, it's true we argue about how best to handle this situation, but for the
most part we all agree something should be done. Even that pacifists among
us believe in some sort of action, like prayer or conciliation and
reconciliation. For the most part, we are all shocked and saddened. Even
within this forum, I think all of the U.S. citizens here stand together even
as we argue. I feel no sense of disassociation from anybody here with whom
I've disagreed.
In all of the ways that I have searched my own mind to try and understand
how and why a group of people could unleash such a horrible act of wanton
violence, to try and understand the motivations of the people who did this,
one thought I've had is that the people who are behind this terribly
miscalculated. They do not understand America. They do not understand the
American people. They do not understand how seriously we take the phrase
"united we stand, divided we fall."
My perception of some of the Middle Eastern cultures is that to disagree
politically means to take up arms. It seems that in some, if not all,
Mid-East nations, people would rather fight than argue; they would rather
kill than persuade. They are a people of factions and tribes and are given
more to violence than cooperation.
Please don't brand me a racist. I don't believe all in the Mid-East are this
way (I've known some wonderful people over the years from many different
Mid-East countries, most notably Iraq). And I don't believe this is a trait
of race so much as it is a trait of history and indoctrination.
Having said that, I'll add, I think most people tend to think other people
are like them.
So, I suspect, the terrorists believe that Americans are like them. That if
they can sow the seeds of civil unrest, then perhaps that can spark a civil
war, weaken the fabric of our nation, bring about an attempted coup or
otherwise drive us apart. But where they miscalculate is how Americans
respond when other Americans are attacked, especially on our own shores.
Such actions bring us closer together. They do not drive us apart. If
/bin/laden had taken the time to watch some old World War II movies,
especially those about Pearl Harbor, he might have a greater appreciation
for the American spirit. The phrase "Remember the Alamo" has also echoed in
my mind.
When I see our politicians drop the partisan rhetoric; when I see our
leaders who were previously insultingly critical of President Bush now stand
behind him; when I see record numbers of people giving blood, buying flags
and desperately search for any contribution they can make to the cause ...
when I see all this, I know America is more united now than at any time in
my lifetime.
Does that mean there are people who are not a part of that new American
coalition? Of course not. There will always be people who disagree and stand
apart. I wouldn't be surprised if up to five percent of all U.S. citizens in
some form or another support the terrorist, even Americans of multiple
generations in this country. Even Charles Lindbergh supported Nazi Germany
(when and if he ever dropped that support, I do not know). But does that
make us any less united? I don't believe it does.
I believe it was Ben Franklin who set the tone of unity in this country when
he said, after the Declaration of Independence was resolved, "Gentleman, we
must all hang together or surely, we will all hang separately."
H.
-----Original Message-----
From: Angel Stewart [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2001 9:42 AM
To: CF-Community
Subject: I'm puzzled..
Why are all these senators and speakers saying that this tragedy has brought
Americans closer together..when it has indeed driven them apart?
o_0?
Is it just me hearing reports and reading about the racist attacks and calls
for boycott of Middle Eastern businesses, the attacks on Arabs in schools
and Universities...the divisions amongst white Americans on what the course
of action should be, with those that advocate nuking the shit out of the
Middle East calling those that preach restraint, investigation and THEN
action Unpatriotic (at best)?
Or hear the questions about what 'freedoms' precisely were Congressmen
talking about being reduced in the aftermath of this and the uncertainties.
Online chat rooms and community lists have erupted into vicious flame wars
and bickering over who was responsible, why it happened, who should be
blamed, who should be killed, where should be levelled...
(http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,46778,00.html
http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,46784,00.html )
So...umm..can anyone explain how this has brought America 'together' ????
Who constitutes America?
-Gel
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