9/11...I missed it! Quiet day of reflection...

I think I must be the only individual in the Western Hemisphere who missed the 9/11 attacks as they unfolded in New York City almost a decade ago!

I was in the garden that fateful day - on a piece of property I owned up North - weeding, planting, and working on drainage - without a care in the world.

Occasionally, I'd take a break out of the hot mid-day sun for a snack and to down a thirst-quencher or two - but then - continued on with the task at hand so I would  make some headway before it was time to shut-down the property for the season before the harsh winter set in.

The reason I was clueless?

There wasn't any radio or TV on my acreage - not even an electrical hook-up - to facilitate either.

So, it wasn't until late in the day - long into the aftermath of the carnage - that I learned of the tragedy from neighbours.

As I sat in my truck playing with the cat - a gentleman from down the road walking his dogs around 5 p.m. (EST) that day - strode up to express his feelings about the unprecedented attacks.

"That was a terrible thing about the Twin Towers in New York, eh?"

Say what?

Then, he proceeded to relay a story about the Financial Center - that was so bizarre and unexpected - that I thought he was pulling my leg.

"It's true. Didn't you hear about it on TV," he stammered, incredulous at the thought.

After all, the world was reeling in shock all around me.

At this juncture, I turned the key in the ignition - the engine roared up - and I dashed off down the old country road lickety-split and into the nearest town.

I checked into a local Motel, switched on the TV, and found myself caught up in the horror.

On every channel, the stunning images floated across the screen, as I sat there speechless long into the night trying to fathom some sense of the madness.

America was at war with terrorists!

And, the war was on home territory.

I shook my head in disbelief - and like so many others - have never been the same since.

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Ground Zero Mosque...Americans to block project! AMAC raising funds...

Within the past twenty-four hours - in spite of a public outcry - a spokesperson for the controversial Mosque slated to begin construction a few blocks shy of  “Ground Zero” was quite adamant that the plans would go forward in spite of  frenzied protests erupting around the country.

On the heels of the announcement - Americans sprang into activist mode - with the ultimate aim of blocking the project

The Association of Mature American Citizens - a cross-section of concerned over-50 residents, for example,  have not only started a fund to fight the Muslim center - but have been actively reaching out across the Internet to garner support for their cause.
The lastest polls have reflected that while many Americans recognize the right of the Muslim group to erect the structure and practice their faith within the confines of their House of Worship, a large percentage of U.S. citizens feel the project is  either an insensitive idea, disrespectful to the fallen on 9/11, or in outright bad taste.

"AMAC is the only member-driven group I know willing to take a stand against this outrage, and AMAC just may be the most important new conservative organization I know in America. We need a 50 Plus organization that speaks for the majority of Americans on issues like this Ground Zero Mosque, ObamaCare, Fiscal responsibility and REAL religious tolerance,“ one supporter lamented  in a recent e-mail spun out through the auspices of Newsmax.com

According to the communication, AMAC is currently harnessing the force and mite of 100,000 members to create serious  opposition to  the Mosque backers which they hope will ultimately negatively impact - and subsequently - block the realization of the project.

Through their “awareness campaign” they hope to raise funds to fight the battle and also lure supporters into the fold.

Concerned individuals are asked to become a member because there is “strength in numbers", according to the organizers.

Liz Cheney, who runs Keep America Safe, was quoted in their Internet flyer blitz.

"To build this mosque at 'Ground Zero' is a stab in the heart of the families who lost loved ones on 9-11."

The Ground Zero Mosque is an assault to the families of those 3,000 victims, and to every patriotic American, she and others roundly accuse.

Newt Gingrich even jumped into the fray and allegedly took the following stance in the newsletter.

"Building this structure on the edge of the battlefield created by radical Islamists is not a celebration of religious pluralism and mutual tolerance; it is a political statement of shocking arrogance and hypocrisy."

Strong stuff!

In addition, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf - the Muslim charged to build “The Ground Zero Mosque” - was scorned for alleged statements he uttered up after the 9/11 attack on NYC.

"The United States and the West must acknowledge the harm they have done to Muslims before terrorism can end."

AMAC claims that Imam is a prominent member of a group that  helped sponsor pro-Palestinian activists who clashed violently with Israeli commandos at sea.

Critics also angrily cry foul in view of Imam's refusal to disclose the sources of funding for the Mosque project ($100 million).

I expect that if all efforts fail to block the Ground Zero project by legal means in the courts, that a trace on the money trail may turn up information necessary to prohibit the project to go forward based on U.S. terrorist law in full force and effect.

If not, this issue may trigger legislation regarding foreign investment, the requirement of transparency in financial dealings by out-of-country sources, full disclosure of funding of projects built on U.S. soil and so forth and so on.

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Barack Obama...Mosque replaces World Trade Center! Slap to 911 victims!

Ground Zero Memorial

 

Over the weekend, the President ruffled a few feathers and triggered a controversy, when he weighed in on the subject of Muslims erecting a Mosque in the shadow of the Ground Zero memorial under construction in mid-Manhattan..

With a bit of a strain (tension?) in his voice, the President underscored in no uncertain terms, that Muslims have the right to build a mosque where they "choose" pursuant to the U.S. Constitution.

"Muslims have the same right to freedom of religion as everyone else in America," he declared in a White House speech on Friday evening.

Duh!

Most folks - critics and supporters alike - were already keenly aware of that fact.

And, are in accord with the acceptable argument.

Then, why are opponents (a smattering of Democrats, too) in a huff over the issue, bright and early this August morning?

For starters, a niggling question remains.

Does Obama honestly believe (in his own heart of hearts) that erecting a Mosque - "this-close" - to "Ground Zero" (where thousands died a horrible death at the hands of foreign terrorists) - is of little little or no consequence?

If so, then the President needs to re-think the situation.

After all, the two structures generating so much heated dialogue, are not just buildings being constructed out of mere mortar, steel, and stone.

In this instant case, the two architectural beauties envisioned by their creators, represent free-standing symbols intended to profoundly resonate (and speak volumes) in their own unique way about their own respective cultures.

In view of the events unfolding in recent days, one has to  wonder, will the Mosque (and what the structure represents) ever be able to overcome its potential to hurt?

Many believe that a Mosque built according to the plan that is underway - at the current location - amounts to nothing short of a slap in the face to the 9/11 victims and their loved ones - and ultimately - is indicative of poor judgment and "bad taste".

What is the subliminal message being transmitted here?

The World Trade Center - a symbol of America - was destroyed.

And, in its place, a Muslim House of Worship is being erected.

Mr. President, what are your thoughts on THAT sentiment?

Obama's willingness to side-step the obvious (i.e., lousy idea) - coupled with his audacity to speak up now (in the manner he did) for political reasons and with an eye on the upcoming elections - has turned the issue into a National one.

In fact, judging by the reactions of pundits and politicians over the past forty-eight hours, Obama's impromptu statements have propelled him full-throttle into a debate that Democrats have been trying to avoid for weeks.

Now, a handful of his cronies (and supporters) feel they've been put on the spot.

With three months to go before the mid-term elections, they were decidedly  nervous about the prospect of trying to hold the house, because of Obama's drop in popularity at the polls and approval rating.

Also, until the Friday night fiasco busted the political terrain wide open, the White House expressed its desire to stay out of local decision-making (Mosque controversy, for example).

What happened?

Well, 'ya know what they say.

"Loose lips sink ships."

In a nutshell, Obama couldn't keep his yap closed on the issue, for some inexplicable reason.

Yes, Muslims have the right to build where they wish - but shouldn't the land developers acquiesce under the circumstances - to show respect (something they so vigorously seek for themselves daily) for loved ones forced to grapple with the Mosque dilemma - now that Obama hurled it into the controversial light over the weekend?

One also has to wonder - in view of the outrage - why Muslims have refused to reconsider?

Constitution aside, shouldn't the Muslims (a religious entity) entertain the idea of a relocation, if only to appease the "dead" and the loved ones who mourn them?
God willing!

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Osama bin Laden...twists & distorts truth!

With the anniversary of the 9/11 attack on New York City just around the corner, Osam bin Laden has chosen the occasion to release a twenty-six minute video to remind the American people he's still a threat to be reckoned with...

His ramblings are not only misguided, but convoluted.

For example, in one segment he implies that U.S. Corporations assassinated President John F. Kennedy because he was opposed to the Vietnam War which had become immensely profitable to them.

More believable theories have been offered up elsewhere - in the Aristotle Onassis biography, for example.

Is he losing his grasp?

Osama also argues in this piece, titled "The Solution", that multinationals have put mankind in danger from global warming.

Frankly, it appears that he's taking a cue from former VP Al Gore, and Leonardo DiCaprio, and their astute, insightful observations in "An Inconvenient Truth" and the "11th Hour", respectively.

The head honcho of the outlaw society offered up some intriguing ideas about our system of Government, too.

"It has been clear to you and the entire world the impotence of the Democratic System and how it plays with the interests of the peoples and their blood by sacrificing soldiers and populations to achieve interests of the major corporations."

What an insane analysis of Democracy!

Read between the lines and it becomes obvious he's been closely scrutinizing a handful of American-produced documentaries - those of Michael Moore - in particular.

Basically, he's plucked up other people's ideas, and offered them up as his own, in a bold-faced effort to convince Citizens of the United States he's in their corner fighting all the ills of society they, too, are rising up against in America.

He's clever, but twisted.

Obviously, he's searching for novel ways to absolve himself of his heinous crimes against humanity.

The fact remains...his band of merry terrorists kill innocent people, intentionally.

His own people's blood is also spilled blindly for a cause that is not only self-serving, but ludicrous in nature.

Osama bin Laden is nothing more than a snake-oil salesman, using slight of hand, in a world of smoke-and-mirrors, to sell a perverted brand of terrorism...

If he wants the ugly side of man to come to its senses, then he should be the first in line to the bargaining table to put an end to the madness.

Violence, after all, only begets violence.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said,

"Be the change you want to see in the world"...