Sixteen Years Have Fogged Our Minds

Sixteen years ago today America was stunned by an act of sheer barbarism perpetrated by hate-fueled adherents of a bad interpretation of iron-age mysticism. On that day I lost three coworkers, one of whom was also a friend, and the memory is as sharp and fresh as it was the day after it happened.

Lieutenant Commander Vince Tolbert, USN.
Angela Houtz
And of course Gerry Moran.

In the sixteen years since we’ve seen America slowly lose its way. Theatrical and ultimately ineffectual measures have chipped away at our basic freedoms. We’ve failed to heed the old wisdom that says “those who would sacrifice their essential liberty for the sake of momentary security will soon find that they have neither.”

What is especially galling, even frightening, is that the same forces and twisted beliefs that drove the 9-11 terrorists to commit their despicable acts are evident in America today. Religious fundamentalists attack our most important beliefs, such as that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. Goose-stepping morons parade in our streets, spewing their filth at any and all within hearing, while the reality-impaired followers of the extreme left dress up their own insanity in the guise of “help.” People claim to have “awoken” because they’ve fallen for propaganda that matches their existing biases. We’ve elected a complete imbecile to our highest office based almost solely on populist drivel and a deep seated anger amongst small-minded people who are afraid of change.

It was the same factors driving the Islamist lunatics who perpetrated 9-11. We can’t slide down that same slope. We must be better. We must be informed, rational, and view the world as it actually is, not thru the lens of whatever ism we find appealing or trendy.

Western liberal democracy is in existential danger, almost at the point of crisis. Short term thinking runs amok, ideologues pollute the public discourse, and no-one seems to be willing to look beyond their own nose.

It’s time to do better, and the memory of 9-11 should be inspiration enough for that, shouldn’t it?

Fifteen Years

It's difficult to believe that a perfect late summer day erupted into chaos and death fifteen years ago now. It doesn't seem possible that it's been a decade and a half since a group of barbaric savages killed over 3000 people using airplanes as cruise missiles.

And yet there it is. We were shocked, we were stunned, but ultimately we were filled with a terrible resolve. The world we now live in is the result of that resolve. We let our passions run away with us and as a result damaged our own freedoms. Wasted blood and treasure on a war that we did not need to wage. Yes, it was proper to go to Afghanistan and clean out the nest of vipers lurking there. But Iraq was a mistake, and we've paid for it ever since.

Learn this lesson, gentle reader. Evil must be opposed and murderers brought to justice, but do not use that as an excuse for needless adventuring. And remember always those we lost on 9/11/2001.

Jerry Moran
Angela Houtz
Lieutenant Commander Vince Tolbert.

Freedom isn't free. It is bought with blood and sacrifice. But don't throw it away in a moment of rage. We remember.

Fourteen Years Have Not Dimmed the Memory

Jerry Moran. Angela Houtz. Lieutenant Commander Vince Tolbert. It's hard to believe it was fourteen years ago on a clear and crisp September morning when refugees from the twelfth century crashed airplanes into buildings and shook us out of our complacency. We remember.

Eleven Short Years

Strange that today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11 event, should be an almost perfect duplicate of that horrific day. Faultless blue skies, perfect temperature, glorious late summer weather. Just as it was on That Day.

We who have direct memories of That Day know how it went. Savage barbarians driving airplanes into buildings and over three thousand innocents murdered. Among them my friend Jerry Moran and co-workers Angela Houtz and LCDR Vince Tolbert. Jerry's wife Joyce passed away just last year, so they are reunited in whatever awaits us after.

I lost my own wife this year. So as I remember 9/11 and the horrors it held, I also remember my wife and the joy she brought me. In memory, evergreen.

We remember.

Eight Years

Eight years ago. How do the years slip by so quickly?

Jerry Moran.

Angela Houtz

LCDR Vince Tolbert

Taken from us in the barbaric attack of 9/11. Taken too soon.

We remember.

Memorials Come 'Round Again

Another Memorial Day. Another reflection on those who've gone.

Angela Houtz

Lieutenant Commander Vince Tolbert

And Jerry Moran

Taken from us on 9/11. We remember.

Special thanks to Anthony Candelori, serving in Afghanistan with the US Army. Come home safe, Antny.