that the diminishing of international support has coincided with increased partisanship and even bitter hostility here at home. If we are to be successful in this ambitious endeavor we're gonna need as many people on board as possible. That means the guys currently at the wheel shouldn't ignore warnings from the backseat, and it means those currently in the backseat should be careful about grabbing at the wheel in an effort to modify our course.
It's sad, really, how wide the chasm has grown since we all stood together after the attacks.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
I'm not sure what to think of that title, and whether or not the irony was intended. The line actually originates not in Le Monde, but in an essay by - fittingly enough - a famous New Yorker .
But White's essay is an interesting piece of work: it's about Americans lashing out at other people for looking differently, for speaking differently. When an American harasses someone for being foreign-born, the crowd around reacts and challenges that harassment with "We are all Americans."
So was Le Monde expressing solidarity with America in its sufferings or warning about the possible backlash against foreigners? Possibly both. If they were savvy enough to know that line, they were savvy enough to know that context.
But instead of taking any political shots here, how about something else: I recommend picking up a collection of E. B. White's essays. That man knew and understood and felt New York like no other writer, so it seems fitting to recommend reading him today.
Saint, n. A dead sinner revised and edited. - Ambrose Bierce
And I really do not know who should be extending a hand to whom. Because the enmity is so strong I also do not think it would be accepted by either side.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Going from the first paragraph of the article I took the title at face value. In addition to your comment, there are various... other interpretations of the Le Monde piece.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
and I agree with some of his main points - that American sympathy was never exactly a dominant emotion abroad - but I get turned off easily by stupid ad hominems ("The last sentence is grammatically no more coherent in the French original than in English." - er... the grammar is perfectly coherent there, buddy) and accusations of 'not doing homework', especially when he himself misattributes the origin of the phrase.
But, if you can get past his layers of anti-anything-that-isn't-Americanism, he's got some good observations here and there, especially the extent to which the myth of American sentiments abroad. He paints way too broadly, though - yes, anti-Americanism was chugging along just fine before, during, and after 9/11, but it's had a much different shape in the past few years.
Saint, n. A dead sinner revised and edited. - Ambrose Bierce
you'd see even less civility as far as I am concerned. But I guess that is all that can be expected from partisan sites. There is definitely no desire for civil dialogue.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Here's a diary on dkos about gay and lesbian victims of 9/11. That may not be everyone's area of interest, but both the diary and the comments have some really rough reading, profiling the people you might otherwise not hear about. Highly recommended.
The diary links to this site , a memorial for gay and lesbian victims of 9/11, which ends on this brutal note:
As the days went by, we learned that some of the missing rescue personnel were gay, and that many of their lovers, some of whom are cops and fire fighters, were grieving in silence for fear of outing them. There were also gay cops that lost family members that were rescue personnel. We all learned too quickly and in too cruel a way that the closet is a terrible place to grieve... -- Edgar Rodriguez, NYPD (in the former Lesbian & Gay New York)
Imagine losing the person you love most in the world and not being able to show it. I can't.
Saint, n. A dead sinner revised and edited. - Ambrose Bierce
is neither dKos nor Redstate. We're trying for some cross-communication here. Perhaps more like the great-aunt's parlor, not the playground or pool hall.
In the long term, this [the terrorists'] attitude is obviously suicidal, because it attracts lightning. And it might attract a bolt of lightning that does not discriminate.
An American bolt, certainly. But with the author's blessing and support. That's how I interpret it.
I imagine a lot of people are somewhat annoyed by this point with my constant harping on avoiding profanity, but to me it's a step towards more respectful debate. I'm not saying that people who accidently curse are being intentionally disrespectful, just that if you have to force yourself to be careful with your words you're more likely to consider your argument and tone in general.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
and I wish... we had turned that moment into a moment of unity.
it's madness to take that compassion and sympathy and tell the world to basically screw itself, even people clearly "on our side" but who may not have wanted to attack Iraq.
*UPDATED*: I deleted the original because I violated civility/language rules of swords.
The writer did indeed warn that American's might use the WTC as a pretext to launch a war on all Muslims, But particularly combined with his note about the other big terrorist attack that caused tha same initial response, it is clear he does not regard such bigotry as a good thing.
Indeed I think a skilled thoughtful statesman could have achieved many of the PNAC's stated goals, by leading the world's condemnation into a worldwide assault on all theofascists, and any others who would assault human rights.
Unfortunately the SCOTUS had already decided against such a concept on the real day of infamy 12/12/2000.
The Self Made Man is just not admitting where he got all the parts.
Comments :
Rush Limbaugh
I'm only half stupid
Very tasteful
We have different areas of concern, I think, but this is a nice contrast to what I'm seeing today from certain.. other sites. Well done, brendan.
"Our concern for human life must not be confined to the guilty." (Coker v. Georgia, Burger, C.J., dissenting.
It's true
that the diminishing of international support has coincided with increased partisanship and even bitter hostility here at home. If we are to be successful in this ambitious endeavor we're gonna need as many people on board as possible. That means the guys currently at the wheel shouldn't ignore warnings from the backseat, and it means those currently in the backseat should be careful about grabbing at the wheel in an effort to modify our course.
It's sad, really, how wide the chasm has grown since we all stood together after the attacks.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
We are All Americans.
I'm not sure what to think of that title, and whether or not the irony was intended. The line actually originates not in Le Monde, but in an essay by - fittingly enough - a famous New Yorker
.
But White's essay is an interesting piece of work: it's about Americans lashing out at other people for looking differently, for speaking differently. When an American harasses someone for being foreign-born, the crowd around reacts and challenges that harassment with "We are all Americans."
So was Le Monde expressing solidarity with America in its sufferings or warning about the possible backlash against foreigners? Possibly both. If they were savvy enough to know that line, they were savvy enough to know that context.
But instead of taking any political shots here, how about something else: I recommend picking up a collection of E. B. White's essays. That man knew and understood and felt New York like no other writer, so it seems fitting to recommend reading him today.
Saint, n. A dead sinner revised and edited. - Ambrose Bierce
it is very sad
And I really do not know who should be extending a hand to whom. Because the enmity is so strong I also do not think it would be accepted by either side.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Thanks
Others who were there
have a more personal perspective, so I just wanted to address a different aspect of this 9/11 anniversary.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
And another
here
.
Saint, n. A dead sinner revised and edited. - Ambrose Bierce
Interesting
Going from the first paragraph of the article I took the title at face value. In addition to your comment, there are various... other
interpretations of the Le Monde piece.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
If only your bretheren over at Redstate were so civil.
Here's what they've said today on their thread ABC's Path to 9/11:pre-clips
.
I read 'em. I more often than not wonder which world they live in.
There is no brotherly love there big guy.
Leon, you should talk here more often.
It'd be good for the site.
Eh, interesting article,
and I agree with some of his main points - that American sympathy was never exactly a dominant emotion abroad - but I get turned off easily by stupid ad hominems ("The last sentence is grammatically no more coherent in the French original than in English." - er... the grammar is perfectly coherent there, buddy) and accusations of 'not doing homework', especially when he himself misattributes the origin of the phrase.
But, if you can get past his layers of anti-anything-that-isn't-Americanism, he's got some good observations here and there, especially the extent to which the myth of American sentiments abroad. He paints way too broadly, though - yes, anti-Americanism was chugging along just fine before, during, and after 9/11, but it's had a much different shape in the past few years.
Saint, n. A dead sinner revised and edited. - Ambrose Bierce
if you look at dkos
you'd see even less civility as far as I am concerned. But I guess that is all that can be expected from partisan sites. There is definitely no desire for civil dialogue.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
The ones in power
It pretty much has to be the ones in power who extend a hand. Hopefully, in a few months, that may be a Democratic responsiblity as well.
And still another.
Here's a diary on dkos
about gay and lesbian victims of 9/11. That may not be everyone's area of interest, but both the diary and the comments have some really rough reading, profiling the people you might otherwise not hear about. Highly recommended.
The diary links to this site
, a memorial for gay and lesbian victims of 9/11, which ends on this brutal note:
Imagine losing the person you love most in the world and not being able to show it. I can't.
Saint, n. A dead sinner revised and edited. - Ambrose Bierce
This site
is neither dKos nor Redstate. We're trying for some cross-communication here. Perhaps more like the great-aunt's parlor, not the playground or pool hall.
Apres nous, le deluge?
A warning to the Arab world, from a Frenchman:
An American bolt, certainly. But with the author's blessing and support. That's how I interpret it.
Language? <nt>
"Our concern for human life must not be confined to the guilty." (Coker v. Georgia, Burger, C.J., dissenting.
Unity squandered
and the maddening assertion that the 9/11 hijackers were Iraqi's!!!
That 43% of the people still believe that, tells you that marketing works!
Too bad they didn't market the compassion and sympathy!
It takes a lot of skill to get your nation behind attacking the wrong country!
I'm only half stupid
Yah
Pyrrho -- you're not on MLW anymore =)
I imagine a lot of people are somewhat annoyed by this point with my constant harping on avoiding profanity, but to me it's a step towards more respectful debate. I'm not saying that people who accidently curse are being intentionally disrespectful, just that if you have to force yourself to be careful with your words you're more likely to consider your argument and tone in general.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
oops
sorry.
I don't mind the harping
my mistake.
redo, we are all american, indeed
and I wish... we had turned that moment into a moment of unity.
it's madness to take that compassion and sympathy and tell the world to basically screw itself, even people clearly "on our side" but who may not have wanted to attack Iraq.
*UPDATED*: I deleted the original because I violated civility/language rules of swords.
Fear is not support, much less blessing
The writer did indeed warn that American's might use the WTC as a pretext to launch a war on all Muslims, But particularly combined with his note about the other big terrorist attack that caused tha same initial response, it is clear he does not regard such bigotry as a good thing.
Indeed I think a skilled thoughtful statesman could have achieved many of the PNAC's stated goals, by leading the world's condemnation into a worldwide assault on all theofascists, and any others who would assault human rights.
Unfortunately the SCOTUS had already decided against such a concept on the real day of infamy 12/12/2000.
The Self Made Man is just not admitting where he got all the parts.
Excellent point!
that it is in the end really all about global human rights! A very exciting idea!
I'm only half stupid