29 replies to this topic

[Sir Turtlelot]

I just wanted to make a thread in memory of those who died 9 years ago on this horrid day. If it's not too much to ask, then please to sometime today, and have a moment of silence in their memory.

Thank you.

[arunma]

Good call dude.

[Chikara Nadir]

It's strange to think of how far we've come. The Asst. Manager at work today asked what day it was, and we both stopped for a moment upon realizing the answer. It still effects everyone, maybe more and more each year as the war, recession, oil crisis, and whatnot continue to unfold. It's a crazy time we're living in. And it's amazing that one day could be the catalyst for so much world change.

[Crimson Lego]

R.I.P. to all 2993 victims.

[Chikara Nadir]

And R.I.P. also to all the men and women who have passed away since, whether soldiers, civilians, firefighters who helped in the wreckage of the WTC, etc.

[Reflectionist]

Wow. 9 years.
I wonder how long people are going to stretch this thing out.

Well, you can never underestimate jingoism.

Edited by Reflectionist, 11 September 2010 - 09:52 PM.

[SteveT]

^ He may not be tactful, but he has a point. I wasn't going to say anything before, but now I feel like I should.

We, as a country, need to let go of 9/11. Badly. It's gotten to a point where politicians can pass or block a bill just by filling their speeches with "9/11 terrorists freedom" and completely circumvent the issues. It's gotten to a point where you can't even build a mosque that shares the same air as the World Trade Center ruins without people failing to separate Islam and terrorists. The Airline industry solved the problem of hijacking planes and using them as missiles by installing doors outside the cockpit, yet the TSA still treats all passengers as threats, and when they're done searching through our underwear, take nude pictures of us.

We need to let the emotional hysteria that 9/11 caused die out and move on with our lives.

[Selena]

....we can still mourn the dead, though, right? You know, like some people still do for Pearl Harbor?

[SteveT]

Of course you can. That's your decision.

Edited by SteveT, 11 September 2010 - 10:34 PM.

[Steel Samurai]

I still mourn the loss of the Saxon soldiers in 1066.



























. . . what?



EDIT: Totally not as relevant after Steve's edit.

Edited by Steel Samurai, 11 September 2010 - 10:35 PM.

[Selena]

Yes, but it's not like I'm emotionally traumatized. The wound's healed. Though it was never really there to begin with for me due to my emotionally stunted nature. Mourning the dead does not necessarily equate with mass emotional hyper-nationalist anti-bad guy hysteria. People die. You mourn their loss. It's the respectful thing to do. Or so I was always led to believe.


Edit: The Battle of Hastings was truly tragic, but the Saxons theoretically deserved it, since they were going to win until they screwed up.

[Reflectionist]

This thread is now 10x more interesting. Which puts it at "almost interesting."
Congratulations, e'rybody!

[SteveT]

Everyone knows that the Normans cheated by bringing crossbows into it.

[Selena]

You break your shield wall, you have to expect to pay a price.

[JRPomazon]

I've never been sure how to feel about today, it's just weird. I really don't have any emotional investments in it at all.

[Steel Samurai]

Good saxon men were lost that day. GOOD SAXON MEN. And no one deserves to die from an arrow to the eye. Next thing you know those damn Normans will be wanting to build a castle on the VERY SITE of that tragic loss of life. Oh wait.

[Oberon Storm]

The fire service is a very tight brotherhood. I lost 343 of them that day. Want me to let go? I only have two words for you.

[Reflectionist]

The fire service is a very tight brotherhood. I lost 343 of them that day. Want me to let go? I only have two words for you.

Did you know any of them personally? Had you spoken to any of them in your life?

[Selena]

Hey, you might try showing some sensitivity by bringing it up in PMs or asking nicely rather than sounding accusatory (aka: like a jerk). Firemen, soldiers, cops, and other such brotherhoods are all famous for their intensity and dedication. It's hard to understand if you aren't a part of one, but that doesn't make what they feel any less real. And yes, the way you're posting can easily hurt some feelings. Being on the internet isn't an excuse for rudeness, especially when I've been told you're a nice guy in real life.

[Sir Deimos]

What he fails to recognize is that while he personally may have had no emotional investment in the events of that day, others actually do. So he treats the event like everyone should view it the way he does. Which is very much the asshole thing to do.


That's how it looks anyway.


I'll never forget 9/11. Mostly because it's my twin younger brothers birthday.

[Oberon Storm]

The fire service is a very tight brotherhood. I lost 343 of them that day. Want me to let go? I only have two words for you.

Did you know any of them personally? Had you spoken to any of them in your life?

Maybe. Maybe not. Every year Indianapois hosts The Fire Department Instructors Conference. Firefighters from around the world gather to share new procedures, technologies, and experience. And experience is where the brotherhood comes in. We all share many of the same experiences. That's what made it easy for us to invite these visitors back to our firehouse. Sometimes they brought their families. We might not run into them again, but it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter that I do not know if anyone I have met died. We are all part of that fraternity. If you can't understand what it's like to be part of something like that and experience that sense of camaraderie that's not my problem. I don't have to explain myself and why that day will always have a special meaning to me. Call it jingo-whatever all you want. In the end you're just a self righteous asshole.

[Nevermind]

Everybody retains the right to mourn whomever they feel they have lost. Everybody else should respect that and allow them this right, whether or not they want to.

The 9/11 disaster was a horrible event that should have had no place in human history.

That said, is this going to be standard practice for as long as we will remember? 9 year anniversary, 10 year anniversary, 11 year anniversary, 12 year anniversary, each year inciting a media reaction like this is the pinnacle of human tragedy and it must be mourned as such until the last person to actually remember the event has passed away.

Like I said, it was a horrible event and my genuine condolences to those who suffer. Why, though, do we see it necessary to give it worldwide (yeah, we get documentaries and special event tributes as well) memorials and coverage and told to "never forget", but 'celebrate' no remembrance of other equally-horrific tragedies? Is there a time limit at which it's okay to not plaster tributes all over the media? When some people - likely those who truly suffered from this event and will genuinely "never forget" - will still mourn each year but the rest of us can go about daily activities without looking insensitive for...forgetting?

[Egann]

I've never been sure how to feel about today, it's just weird. I really don't have any emotional investments in it at all.

Same. I can totally understand people being emotionally devastated, but I never felt anything.

[Khallos]

Good saxon men were lost that day. GOOD SAXON MEN. And no one deserves to die from an arrow to the eye. Next thing you know those damn Normans will be wanting to build a castle on the VERY SITE of that tragic loss of life. Oh wait.

Castle!? Looks more like an Abbey to me. Besides I've no time for those bloody Saxons, bunch of foreigners posing as locals. Normans not much better, but in their defence they're not French which helps.


Only realised the date today. Went over my completly, losing that amount of people can never be called a good thing but it simply didn't effect me much. It's history now, from another time and place and I wasn't personally affected.

[Raien]

I think that the nation will be in mourning for as long as there are people alive who remember the tragedy and its legacy. For example, I don't think there are many people left who have first hand experiences of the First World War, so it doesn't bring up much emotion in people today. Memorial Day has become more about mourning the losses of all wars, not just WWI.

But the Second World War seems to get more attention, not only because it is more recent but because the legacy (the Holocaust, the co-ordination of racist/fascist ideology, etc) has had a greater impact on modern culture and society. Likewise, if the 9/11 legacy continues to be conflict in the Middle East and Islamophobic fearmongering, then 9/11 could well be an controversial day for Americans well into the mid-to-late 21st Century. Which is sad, because the day shouldn't be about things like Quran book burnings, it should be about the people who died that day.

[Wolf O'Donnell]

I'll never forget 9/11. Mostly because it's my twin younger brothers birthday.

He's not a comedian, is he? I remember listening to a comedian make a joke about his birthday being on 9/11. He always wonders why people look at him so strangely; after all, it's not as if he was responsible. It's not as if when his Uncle asked him what he wanted for his birthday, he said, "Surprise me".

It's sad that this tragedy happened. But it's weird that it still gets so much attention. Anyway, let us all mourn for those who passed away and respect the wishes of those who wish to mourn. After all, it's sad when loved ones die.

[Green Goblin]

9/11 is one of those days where you're always going to remember what you were doing when you heard the news. I'm going to remember how that day went until the day I die, much like the JFK/MLK assassinations were for our parents.

this does not automatically translate to extreme jingoism, but can very easily to some. Rather than focusing on the nation it happened to, it's best to try and just remember the PEOPLE it happened to.

[arunma]

Same. I can totally understand people being emotionally devastated, but I never felt anything.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I guess it's hard to be emotionally invested unless you know someone who died. The most attachment I had to 9/11 was an uncle who worked in one of the towers. He was actually late to work and on the ground floor when he saw people running out (I think he came through the subway or something). And aside from getting knocked over by people running out, he got out of it fine.

I think this is going to end up being like Pearl Harbor. I doubt many people take the time to commemorate December 7, though. But hey, if you feel like remembering the day, more power to you.

[Reflectionist]

Maybe. Maybe not. Every year Indianapois hosts The Fire Department Instructors Conference. Firefighters from around the world gather to share new procedures, technologies, and experience. And experience is where the brotherhood comes in. We all share many of the same experiences. That's what made it easy for us to invite these visitors back to our firehouse. Sometimes they brought their families. We might not run into them again, but it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter that I do not know if anyone I have met died. We are all part of that fraternity. If you can't understand what it's like to be part of something like that and experience that sense of camaraderie that's not my problem. I don't have to explain myself and why that day will always have a special meaning to me. Call it jingo-whatever all you want. In the end you're just a self righteous asshole.

Am I blushing? You're a real sweetheart.
Speaking of self-righteous assholes, I wonder if anyone rushed into those buildings who wasn't getting paid to do it. I mean, you've got a hell of a tribute for 343 people who were just doing their jobs. The rest of the people who died in the World Trade Center were also doing their boring office jobs. Do they count as heroes? I mean, they were on the clock. I don't know. Do you?

Oh, by the way: I'm fucking with you. Lighten up.

Edited by Reflectionist, 12 September 2010 - 04:50 PM.

[Veteran]

Woah. Fuck me. That's... one way to end a topic.