These people were mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandmas, grandpas, husbands, wives, friends, and co-workers. And they left behind broken hearts and empty spaces that can never be filled. This day deserves to be memorialized. We are more than entitled to a moment of silence, flags flown at half mast, and people feeling a little more patriotic than usual. A reminder of what we lost that day, the memory of those we lost, and sadness for the pain of those left behind. If I want to post a photo of the American flag and an old NY City skyline pic, I am entitled to express myself in whatever way works for me. If I want to wax poetic about never forgetting, I have every right.
As a native New Yorker, I do feel this a bit more strongly than maybe someone in the Midwest, and I understand that. They may not have a husband who worked in the World Financial Center and traveled by subway everyday, exited at the WTC and walked to his building. They may not feel the relief of having moved out west five years prior to the terrorist attacks that leveled both towers of the WTC. Some may not feel the guilt resulting from feeling relieved about having moved. Maybe they don't have friends who were directly affected by the attacks, losing relatives and friends to this senseless act. I respect that because I also know, that even though you don't have as close a connection to the scene of the crime, you are an American, and you feel the same horror that I do.
Most of you, that is. I've noticed recently that there is a growing number of folks who have decided to place limits on how long a person is entitled to mourn, how many years is appropriate for memorializing the day our country was attacked by terrorists, how and when it is fitting to be grateful to the first responders, NYPD, FDNY, EMTs, and all the other heroes who gave their lives to help others that day, and just how patriotic we are all supposed to be. Who the fuck died and left you boss? I do not disagree that we should always be thankful to the everyday heroes who stay up all night so we can sleep safely, who leave their families at home to protect ours, and who risk their lives without hesitation to save the lives of others.
How DARE you bitch and moan about another 9/11 memorial celebration? Who are you to decide that enough is enough? Here's a suggestion, stay off of Facebook, don't watch the news, or read a newspaper one day a year. You won't have to SUFFER through any more supposed forced patriotism or empty sentiments reminding us to never forget. I wouldn't want you to be put out in any way. I know how hard it is to scroll past all the bullshit that bugs you to get the really important stuff, like who had their nails done today and where. Who the fuck asked for your opinion on the subject, anyway? In some countries, you'd have your fingers chopped off for posting your complaints about something like this. Maybe we need to take better notes.
I have another suggestion, you can get the fuck out of my country and don't let the door hit you on your fat ass on the way out. Love this country or leave. The last thing we need is a bunch of whiners who haven't had enough hardships or loss telling the rest of us how to deal with it. Clearly you haven't experienced tragedy or real pain in your charmed lifetime. Praise the baby Jesus, you lucky bastard. Some of us have experienced enough for you and a few others, so I guess you'd call that cosmic balance. I call it totally fucking unfair. Perception is colored by experience. When you've had none, I suppose your perception of what happened eleven years ago is vastly different than mine.
If you think it's ok to celebrate Memorial Day, Pearl Harbor Day, and your birthday...then what do you have against remembering 9/11 every year with solemn respect? In whatever way is comforting and appropriate to another American? Otherwise, don't expect me to wish you a happy birthday next year, it's just another day, and seriously, how many goddamn years is enough for you? Or do you only celebrate American holidays that give you the day off from work? That's patriotism to you? Christ would fall off the cross if he only knew your twisted rationale regarding respect and honoring other human beings. I know you make ME sick to my stomach.
I've always had a live and let live philosophy. Do whatever makes you happy as long as it doesn't hurt someone else. Worship who you want, or not at all. Skin color and sexual preference matters not, character shines through and is the basis by which I judge. But, have a negative opinion about how a country chooses to remember innocent people who died in a terrorist attack...berate those who pay their respects to those left behind by flying a flag only once per year...mock those of us who choose to block the pain out but once a year and allow ourselves to remember briefly...and my philosophy changes slightly. When the color of your character is tainted by disrespect, you don't deserve my respect at all or the respect of your fellow Americans. I'll tell you what we tell the children in our classroom. We all have mean thoughts sometimes, but they stay in your head. And now I'll tell you one more thing, shut the fuck up, keep your poisonous opinions to yourself or don't expect the rest of us to sit quietly and idly by. Are you friggin kidding me right now???
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