Sept 12, 2010

September 11 Ceremonies

A curious blend of remembrance and loss marked ceremonies at New York City and Washington D.C. for the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks by Islamic terrorists on the twin World Trade Center Towers, and the Pentagon military office complex.  Throughout the United States, Americans remembered that tragic day and the losses suffered.

President Barack Obama in Washington declared: 

“The United States of America cannot sacrifice the liberties we cherish, or hunker down behind walls of suspicion and mistrust.

“As Americans, we are not – and never will be – at war with Islam.  It was not a religion which attacked us that September day – it was al-Qaida, a sorry band of men which perverts religion.”

The Associated Press noted that for a few hours Saturday morning, the political and cultural furor -- over whether a proposed Islamic center and mosque belongs two blocks from the World Trade Center site – mostly gave way to the somber anniversary ceremony and pleas from elected officials for religious tolerance.

PROTESTORS

Within hours of the city’s memorial service near ground zero, groups of protestors had taken up positions in lower Manhattan, blocks apart and representing both sides of the debate over the mosque which has suffused the nation’s politics for weeks leading up to the anniversary.

Near City Hall, supporters of the mosque toted signs that read: “The attack on Islam is racism.”  Opponents carried placards that read: “Never forgive, never forget.  No WTC mosque.”

The leader of a small, Christian, congregation in Florida – who had planned to burn copies of the Quran to mark the September  anniversary – called off his plans.

At the other September 11 attack – as at ground zero – elected leaders there sought to remind Americans of the acts of heroism that marked a Tuesday in 2001and the national unity that followed.

PENNSYLVANIA

In Shanksville, Pa., First Lady Michelle Obama -- and her predecessor Laura Bush -- spoke at a public event for the first time since last year’s presidential election.

At the rural field where the 40 passengers and crew of the United Flight 93 lost their lives, Mrs. Obama said, “A scar in the earth has healed.” Mrs. Bush said, “Americans have no division on this day.”

Near the World Trade Center site, a memorial to the 2,752 who died there, played out mostly as it had each year since 2001.  Bells were tolled to mark the times of impact of the two hijacked jets -- and the times the twin towers collapsed.

OUR VIEW

More radical Islamic attacks – a Third World War including America -- will surely come – probably starting against American allies.

Advice most needed is least heeded.

If you would know the value of money, go borrow some.

-----  Benjamin Franklin

Common sense ain’t common.

It’s a poor job that can’t stand at least one supervisor.

By Lindsey Wilger Williams, retired newspaper publisher and syndicated columnist