As always, the contents of this blog constitute a compendium of multiple media reports supplemented by my personal opinion, where indicated.
Wow! Has it really been 25 years? As they say, time flies. Those of us who experienced that horrific day will never forget it. We will always remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news. It was shocking to learn that a group of terrrorists had managed to hijack four commercial airplanes, fly two of them into the World Trade Center and another one into the Pentagon. A fourth hijacked plane that was headed for Washington, DC crashed when the passengers rebelled and attacked the hijackers.
The WTC was one of the symbols of America and was assumed to be impregnable. And yet, both towers were destroyed and collapsed. The Pentagon, a symbol of our military might, was damaged but not totally destroyed.
Many have compared the foregoing event to the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. I get it. Both attacks were shocking and heinous. Both resulted in thousands of Americans dead, maimed and wounded. However, in my opinion 9/11 was worse, because the victims were not armed forces personnel, but innocent civilians who were going about their daily routine – work, school, whatever. Moreover, it all unfolded on tv right before our very eyes. I was one of thousands who were actually there. I experienced some of it live and then on tv over and over again like the replay of a sporting event I have to tell you; once was more than enough. Like many other people I lost friends. So sad and unnecessary.
I will never forget the sight of office workers who, trapped by fire and facing certain death, actually jumped from the towers, in some cases actually holding hands, choosing one horrible method of death rather than a worse one. Then, we all witnessed the horror of watching on tv as both towers collapsed and hundreds of bystanders on the streets were forced to run for their lives.
For purposes of this blog I will presume that you are all well-versed in the details of the events of that day and ensuing days, and in the interest of time and space I see no point in my regurgitating it all now . Over the years there have been a plethora of books, movies, and tv shows describing all of that in great detail. Instead I would like to focus this blog on this year’s events of remembrance and, in particular, the controversy surrounding Comrade Zoh’s intention to participate in them.
As most of you are aware Zoh, by his own words and deeds, has made it clear he is no friend of America and the American way of life. In my view, he actually hates America and wants to tear it all down. He and his cohorts have espoused the view that America “instigated” the attacks by their policies and actions and “deserved” it.
Consequently, Zoh has no right to participate in the 9/11 remembrance agenda at all. Nevertheless, he has stated he will do so. It’s obvious that he has a political agenda for doing so. It would be a clear insult to the memory of those who perished, and it has created a firestorm of protests. Nobody wants him there, not the former federal, state and local officials who dealt with the aftermath, not their current counterparts (excluding Zoh’s likeminded supporters), not the first responders and other heroes who saved lives and helped clean up in the aftermath, not the survivors who lived through it, and certainly not the families of those who perished.
Below please find a sampling of some of their reactions:
- They are cognizant that Zoh has associated himself with and received the support, advice, and political donations from other extremists, such as Hasan Piker, who have condemned America and blame it for provoking the attacks by its support of Israel and other “objectionable” actions (in their view).
- Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was lauded for his leadership through the aftermath, opined that Zoh is worse than bin Laden and the actual terrorists because they were upfront regarding their hatred of America, whereas he tries to hide it. I agree.
- Over 100,000 of the victims’ families have signed or indicated support for a petition objecting to Zoh’s participation.
- Former NYS Governor George Pataki noted that “anyone who has refused to reject the phrase ‘globalize the intifada’ … should not [be allowed to participate in the ceremonies].”
- Some of the objections of the victims survivors focused not only on his anti-American policies, but also whom he has hired and associated with, such as Ramzi Kassem, who was the attorney for an al Qaeda terrorist.
In the aftermath, many Americans were shocked, angry and searching for answers as to how this could happen. Over 2,700 innocent persons perished that day, and many more were physically wounded and mentally and emotionally traumatized. Health officials predicted that in the ensuing years many more than that would die from post-911 health problems. Indeed, some health issues, such as cancers and pulmonary-related symptoms would not appear for many years. At the present time, according to federal records nearly 9,770 additional persons have died in the intervening years. Unfortunately, there will be more.
On the other hand, the people were infused with as strong a sense of patriotism as I have ever experienced. They rallied behind their political leaders such as President George W. Bush, Governor George Pataki and especially Mayor Rudy Giulani. Giuliani became known as “America’s Mayor.” One day, I was eating in a restaurant in NYC when he walked in to dine. He recived a rousing standing ovation from everyone. That’s how popular he was.
In a rare burst of bypartisanship we created the Department of Homeland Security to unite all the various federal law enforcement agencies under one umbrella and passed the Patriot Act. We hunted down and killed bin Laden on May 11, 2011.
Alas, that patriotic fervor has not lasted. It began to dissipate under Presidents Obama and Biden. On their watch millions of unvetted illegal aliens were allowed to enter. We don’t know who they are, where they are, how many there are, or their intent. In any event their presence renders us vulnerable to additional terrorist attacks prospectively.
CONCLUSION
Currently, we are being plagued by a far worse enemy, a multitude of far left/neo-communist politicians who hate America and the American way of life. Their intent is to tear it all down and remake it in their own style. This was considered to be unthinkable as recently as a few years ago. In my view this is potentially more damaging than all the terrorist attacks combined, yet much of the electorate remains unaware and unengaged. How ironic it would be for the most powerful nation in the world to be brought down not by another country but by the enemy within.
In the immediate aftermath we pledged to “never forget,” yet there are indications that that is what is occurring. Only two states, Arizona and Florida require a school curriculum that teaches 9/11 in public schools. In addition, according a study published by a group of college proefessors of ME Studies 2/3 of their students are unaware of who attacked us on 9/11 and why. Furthermore, woke educators have introduced a curriculum that omits and distorts facts. Sadly, we are raising an entire generation of people unaware of the real story of 9/11.
Zoh is toxic; and his opinions, policies and deeds are toxic. He has no right to be a participant. He doesn’t care about the victims and their families. He is just trying to score political points. He is a phony and a charleton.
He should STAY AWAY.
We Built It Blog by Larry Jacob 