http://www.democraticunderground.com/discu...

Over the past few days as I have been following the OWS movement(s) there is an image that has been in my mind. It's the image above from Capitalism: A Love Story.
If I remember correctly, this image is from the end of the film when Michael Moore is putting crime scene tape on the street, on Wall Street.
I found the pic above on another thread here and it is the exact image from my mind.

I found it fascinating the connection of the OWS images and the image from the film. I am intrigued by the connection here. Could it be that the OWS movement is the result, or, as the other Duer wrote, "a logical consequence" of these white collar crimes? I mean, is it real? Am I dreaming? Are Americans really peacefully protesting? WOW! It seems that they are.

Things that make me go "hmmm?"

I am not watching the televised coverage of 9-11-01 today. I am not watching any coverage of it. I do not need to be reminded of the events, nor watch them over and over again because they are branded in my mind and heart. I did not lose anyone I knew that day nor was I directly in harms way. Still, I was deeply effected by the traumatic events that happened on 9-11-01. As Americans we all were effected.

Today, and every September 11th, my heart goes out to those people who were directly involved. God Bless everyone soul who perished that day. God Bless everyone who lost someone. God Bless all of the courageous people who immediately went to work to give assistance to everyone in need and who, since then, has likely suffered for their generous actions that day.

Yet, life is for the living as they say and I hope the events of that horrible day have made us keenly aware that life is precious and fragile. May our actions be loving, kind, generous and wise. May we look for the good and find gratitude in today.

In this spirit, I found something I'd like to share - Operation Gratitude. I am posting the link here for anyone who may be interested.

http://www.operationgratitude.com /

At this link, there are many ways we can be of service and demonstrate our gratitude. Vauvenargues (1715-1747) was a French Moralist and Essayist who said "generosity gives assistance, rather than advice" he also said "patience is the art of hoping."

Peace be with you DU. I am grateful that you are here.

"Political" meaning "of or relating to Government or to the conduct of Government." The origin of this word is Greek and translates to "of, for, or relating to citizens."

"Civil" meaning "of or relating to citizens". Related to Civil is the very important but often missing "Civilized" meaning "adequate in courtesy and politeness, mannerly."

"Civic" as in, "civic duty" which means being a responsible and good citizen, according to definitions.USLegal.com, "some examples of civic duties are obeying the law, serving on a jury, paying taxes and voting." Also, it means that as citizens with certain rights there are also responsibilities such as public problem solving and participation. Therefore, it is necessary to have "Civic engagement" according to Wiki, this has been defined as "Individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern."

I guess I'm political because I care and because I despise injustice. Many times I meet people who say to me, "I'm not political". I always wonder about this. What does this mean to them? Who has this luxury not to be "political."

Just thinking out loud while I contemplate a journal title.

Peace.

This is my first journal entry. I've been here at DU for years. Speaking of years, I keep thinking today, ten years ago, everything was different. Sure there was an awful foreboding feeling after Bush was selected by the United States Supreme Court yet it was a completely different world, a world before 9-11-01. Remember, before the horrible trauma of planes and hijackers, before the towers fell, before many human lives were taken and others were forever changed, before the question of lihop or mihop, before all of that and more back on September 10, 2001.

I cannot believe ten years have passed. It seems like yesterday and it seems like a thousand years ago. Somehow I survived, we all survived those terrible years that followed. I remember that enormous pregnant pause after 9-11-01 before Bush/Cheney invaded Iraq and the gigantic opportunity we had to take a different course; the whole world stood with us at that time I recall and we stood together.

The unspeakable suffering from that tragic day changed everything for everyone. Now we live in a post 9-11-01 world.

Today, I am grateful that the darkness of the Bush/Cheney years is over. I am also grateful that we have intelligent, caring leaders in the White House. I am grateful that we have endured since 9-11-01. I am grateful for DU too.

I find myself a little uneasy this weekend on the 10th anniversary, a little anxious - I wonder if I'll have this experience every September? It seems more acute this year since an entire decade has passed. My thoughts and prayers are with all the people who are traveling this weekend; peace be with them and may their journeys be safe.

I'm not watching the TV msm frenzy of 9-11-01 events and remembrances. I remember that day. I don't need to relive it. I have my own opinions about what happened and the msm doesn't share them. I can't stand the thought of a televised talking heads recap of that day. I wish they would just let it be and go on. Or at the very least, keep any coverage of it a sincere, thoughtful reflection that honors and dignifies those who died and those who lived. A person can dream eh.

So, how to observe the day? I have been trying to figure this out for awhile now. I discovered serve.gov and reviewed the ideas there. I have found some ways to be charitable. I had a moment, albeit in really poor taste, that seemed funny to me, perhaps I should volunteer to read to school children in honor of the day since I will never forget Dubya in the classroom, frozen in fear or was it something else he was frozen in? I am certain he could have excused himself without terrorizing the children. In any case I decided that was not a good idea. Then, it came to me, connect with people in your life...friends, family, contacts; remember them and connect with them. Simple I suppose but profound. This would surely honor the victims of 9-11-01 who lost that option that day.

We were all forever changed. The whole world changed after September 10, 2001.