9/11. A day where we all remember where we were and what we were doing at the exact moment.

If you're like me though, you have become worn out from the incessant coverage of the 10-year anniversary. Why do I say this? Because most of this country is trying to move on and to seek some sense of normalcy in the succeeding years. Must we be reminded every day for the last 10 years what happened? Must those who lost friends and loved one's re-live those moments? Must firefighters, police officers, paramedics constantly replay those horrifying times, where they watched their brothers and sisters die, and not a goddamn thing they could do about it? Why are we told every time we fly that the TSA is there because of 9/11?

The best way to move on from such a state of shock is to reflect in silent remembrance. Do I support the respective 9/11 memorials in NYC, DC, and Shanksville? Absolutely, as I believe future generations need to be made aware of the resilience of the American people. To hear the TV loudmouths harp on a tragedy as great as 9/11 is to do a disservice to those that were actually there. For most of us, we were able to sit around the TV that night, with our family in the comfort of our own homes. To the 9/11 widow, watching her husband die as the first tower collapsed the first time was hard enough. Why force her to re-live that moment over and over and over again!

By comparison, let's look at the OKC bombing in 1995 (I was only about 8 when this occurred so my memory of events since is a little fuzzy). Up until 9/11, that was the single worst attack on American soil. To this day, we do not hear of it in the months leading up to it. There may be a few brief segments on MSNBC in the days before the anniversary, and maybe a mention of remembrance on the day, but by and large, we have moved on. The families involved with this attack are allowed to grieve and reflect in private.

Ladies and gentleman, I am in no way undermining or diminishing the events that occurred on that infamous day. Rather I am trying to encourage all Americans to go about their lives. I cannot be reminded of that day every year. Watching those images over and over again makes me swell up. And I wasn't there. Imagine how those that were feel. I believe it is the right thing to dedicate these memorials on this day. However, in the decade since 9/11, I have failed to see how that has brought about any positive change in our domestic and foreign policies. We have managed to forfeit our civil rights in the name of security and certain politicians have committed the sick, unthinkable act of using 9/11 for their own personal gain.

We must never forget September 11, 2001. But we must remember it in our own personal way. Some of you go to church and pray for forgiveness or protection. Some of you just sit alone in your house for silent meditation. Some of us spend the day with family remembering just how short life is, and how quickly it can be taken away.

I thank you all for reading this and hope that you're reactions don't burn me too badly. I don't post here too often, but when I do, I try to make the most of it. This is something I've kept bottled up inside for some time now and I just hope I made the right decision to let it out.

Never sure what to write for comments so I'll let you guys discuss amongst yourselves.

I think the general consensus is that we all feel OBL deserved what he got. At the end of the day though, this picture suggests that, despite who bin Laden was, and the atrocities he committed on American soil, Obama realized he just made the hardest decision he probably ever had to make-the ending of a human life. THAT is a powerful emotion-one that his predecessor was clearly incapable of possessing.

I don't normally give the right-wingers the satisfaction that I despise them, but Hannity particularly pissed me off today so I figured I would share the e-mail I wrote to the show:


Sean

I overheard you criticizing President Obama's new policy of reading the "enemy combatants" their Miranda rights. I must disagree with you for the fact that America is supposed to be the nation of justice and law. Keep in mind that the people the Justice Department etc. are talking about are those that we may capture, but have NOT been convicted of ANYTHING, in fact, I would be willing to bet that a good 98% of all the detainees currently at Gitmo are completely innocent of anything (Just my observation. I do not have a source of this information, not that you have ever let the facts get in the way of your opinion). We are doing this in an attempt to reclaim our status as the greatest nation on earth. Our foreign relations are in the toilet and President Obama is doing what he can to reverse the damage your pResident Bush inflicted on our country and our repoire abroad.

I would also like to expand on that and ask you what you have against reading these rights? Are the domestic terrorists known as Operation Rescue, Army of God, and Fox News not entitled to the judicial process for spewing and acting upon their violent tendencies toward the opposition movement? You right wingers are all the same: all talk, no substance. You can dish out the insults to the Democrats, but you get very defensive when they fire right back. You tell your sheep what you hate about the progressive movement, but you offer up no solutions to fix anything.

From Iraq, with Love

Here we are. October 9, 2008. 26 days before the most important and pivotal election this country has ever faced. By this point, we all know who each party has selected as their respective candidates. We have all seen the debates. At this point in the game, most of us already know who we are voting for. Everyone has placed their own importance on each issue. For one, it might be the economy. For another, it might be Iraq. For yet a third person, their biggest issue might be alternative energy. Whatever the case may be, each person has their preference as to who should be the most powerful person in the free world.

One question however, no one ever considers, and is seldom asked, is not what makes a president. One must consider the more important question of what is a vice president. After all, the vice president is second in line.

A vice president should not only be well liked by the majority of the constituents, but also by the citizens of other nations. A vice president must also have the resolve and experience necessary to be able to think quick on his (or her) feet. A vice president should be there to help solve any problems the president cannot solve himself. A vice president should be someone who's foreign policy experience is more than being able to see Russia from her kitchen. I can see the moon from my house. Does that qualify me to be an astronaut? No. A vice president is one that should put aside his own personal beliefs and focus do what is best for the PEOPLE. A vice president needs to be on the same page as the president at all times. Sarah Palin doesn't have a clue.

I want a vice president that can answer the 3 AM phone call from HIS boss and know exactly what to do. A vice president should not be afraid to disagree with the president, so long it looks out for the interests of the people. Sarah Palin, you are not there for the people.

A vice president should be one that is not controlled by corporate interests. Sarah Palin, you are the one who is handing them their change.

I want a vice president that understands the middle class; our struggles, our triumphs, our pains. Sarah Palin, you are grossly out of touch with reality.

Finally, the most important aspect when thinking about what is a vice president is this. A vice president must show unparalleled leadership in case the unthinkable happens to the president. A vice president must step in and continue to conduct his business while comforting the American people. That is what makes a vice president. You, Sarah Palin, are no vice president.

Good evening everyone

I doubt anyone read my post from this afternoon, as I am an infrequent contributor to the boards. As promised though, I have included some pics. This was my first "real" political rally. I went and saw Kerry in 2004, but there was no room left in the auditorium so I was left outside watching him on a movie screen. I gotta say, it was really exciting with what looked like 5,000+ supporters, including a few of my Republican friends who have finally seen the light.

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This is what we call a Republican Epic Fail.

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Kathy Castor (D-FL 11). She was speaking as I was walking in, preventing me from getting a good shot.

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I had to get the self-portrait in here


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Best shirt I saw all morning

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Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL)


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I just thought this was pretty cool

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The man himself


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Look at this. It quite simply proves that only dumb-asses vote Republican.

From the New York Times Editorials:




This is quite possibly one of the worst things the New Yorker could have done. Because they published a cover, in which the vast majority of Americans will not understand the joke, they just helped the RW reinforce the smear tactics they have been using by trying to paint him as a Muslim terrorist. Check out the bolded excerpt below. Lee Siegel is right on the mark.


Contrary to what some critics have said, the New Yorker cartoon did not lack for ridiculousness. The idea of Michelle Obama with an AK-47 slung over her shoulder is ridiculous. An Obama-inhabited Oval Office with a portrait of bin Laden hanging over an American flag burning in the fireplace is patently absurd. The problem is that the cartoon accurately portrays a ridiculous real-life caricature that exists as literal fact in the minds of some people, and it portrays it in terms that are absolutely true to that caricature.


Only the people the New Yorker caters to will understand. The average individual will see the cover on a bookstore magazine rack and then question if that is the truth behind the man running for president. Again, Siegel was right on money when he states that the fatal error the New Yorker made was not satirizing the right wing

The whole article can be found here

I know I am preaching the choir here on DU, but I don't think we can say it enough. Here are some things we, as progressives, need to do to get Barack Obama in the White House.

1) First and foremost, we need to get people registered to vote. There are still too many people who are eligible who are not registered. WE need to get these people showing up to the polls in record numbers. The availability of absentee ballots and early voting in some states must be mentioned.

2) Donate, donate, donate

3) Become proactive. It is one thing to say you support Obama. It is something COMPLETELY different actually going and and phone-banking, knocking on doors, and handing out fliers in front of the library.

4) Ignore the fact that he is black. Look past his race and look deep into his ideals and values. As the party of progressives, we obligate ourselves with the task of throwing away preconceived notions and stereotypes. We cannot let the ignorance of a few affect the choices of many.

5) Get Involved. Go to rallies where he, or his campaign is speaking. Share your knowledge with other supporters. Spread this knowledge to moderates and undecided voters. Get the word out.

6) HIT THE UNIVERSITIES. They offer virtually unlimited resources of young voters eager to get involved. These students can provide some invaluable insight into what concerns them most. They are historically very politically active.

7) (Taken from BuzzFlash.com) Most voters in most elections do not vote for a given candidate - they vote against another candidate. Obama supporters need to provide voters compelling and emotional reason to vote against John McCain. And those reasons should be able to fit on a bumper sticker or label.

8) Get Creative. Think of new ideas to get the word out. Throw a witty saying on a T-Shirt. Mow your cornfield into a work of art that can be seen from the air, detail your car with a giant O on it. Use your imagination.


You don't need to agree with all of his policies. But you do need to educate yourself on everything that is at stake. To paraphrase a book we all read as kids "I think we can. I think we can. I think we can." Well, don't think we can. YES WE CAN.

I was cruising aroud the Freeper website the last few days and noticed they were having a pointless argument as to why Obama has not released his "original" birth certificate. They went so far as to say that the one he has released was a forgery. Can someone tell me what the real issue is they are trying to smear him with? This is the first I have heard of it. Thanks.

I came across this article, linked from Buzzflash. It drives home a spectacular point. Where does it end? Why do we feel we can regulate the First Amendment, but the Second Amendment is immune?

http://sexualintelligence.wordpress.com/20...

I am sick of this infighting in the Democratic Party. Clinton and Obama are polarizing the party, and both are only concerned with their next attack against each other. Neither one is really focusing any attention on the issues plaguing America. Both candidates need to quit bitching about each other in an effort to win delegates. We have a broken economy, a never-ending occupation in Iraq, 40 million Americans without health care and most importantly, we have the most corrupt government this country has ever seen, and no one has addressed any of these issues without making personal attacks about each others opponent.

For the love of God and all that is holy, you both claim to be Democrats, you both claim to be "the" progressive candidates. Both of you stand for essentially the same thing, just each with your own slightly different interpretation. Both of you have a responsibility to defeat the current agenda and this can only be done with cooperation from each other. Now I understand this is politics and one needs to be critical of his or her opponent, but you two have taken it to a whole new level. Instead of promoting your individual platforms, what each of you needs to do is promote the values and ideals of the party. It is only then that the American public can see through the rhetoric and start appreciating everything you claim to stand for. The constant attacks are doing nothing to win over the decisions of the American voters. We are 8 months away from the election. Please, scale back the attacks and return all your attention to the issues. In doing so, you just might change some minds in our favor.

According to Huffington Post, several advertisers have pulled their ads from his show for *get ready for it* hateful remarks regarding Muslims and women. Pay particular attention to the last few sentences of the article.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/23/a... ...

Establishes his rep. as a genuine guy. Read the article

Stewart supports writers strike