The Spirit of 9/11

Posted in 9/11 and tagged

In the past I have always remarked on the anniversary of 9/11. While it is true that the terrorist attack has little if any connection to the subject matter of this blog, this day always has such an impact on me that I previously felt the need to provide a small comment. Initially I planned to skip writing about 9/11 this year but recent events have persuaded me otherwise.

The site of the former World Trade Center no longer truly belongs to New York City. It is sacred ground that belongs to the whole country, perhaps the world. But that sacred ground does not extend beyond the footprints of the lost towers. It bothers me that so many people feel the need try to impose their views on where an Islamic Center should, or should not, be built. That ought be a subject for residents of New York only. But it bothers me even more that so many are trying to use this anniversary to advance their own agendas. Demonstrations and counter-demonstrations are not the way to honor this day. Would such demonstrations be held inside of a church or synagogue or, dare I suggest it, a mosque? I would have hoped that all Americans would put this discourse aside for today and truly honor the victims of 9/11.

PS – There was another 9/11 light memorial this year. I am so glad, it is such a moving tribute. So I have added this photograph taken from my window.

3 thoughts on “The Spirit of 9/11

  1. John S.

    Harry,

    At the risk of inciting your ire over this, I feel somewhat compelled to throw in my two cents on this subject, so I hope you won’t take offense at these comments.

    You remark above that “The site of the former World Trade Center no longer truly belongs to New York City. It is sacred ground that belongs to the whole country, perhaps the world.” But then you go on to say it bothers you “that so many people feel the need to try to impose their views on where an Islamic Center should, or should not, be built. That ought to be a subject for residents of New York only.” Don’t you see the contradiction there?

    Furthermore, not all the people who oppose the construction of an Islamic Center in the vicinity of Ground Zero “are trying to use this anniversary to advance their own agendas.” They are pointing out that it is in very poor taste and extremely insulting to the victims of 9/11 and their surviving loved ones to have a mosque/Islamic Center built so close to the former location of the Twin Towers, which were destroyed by Islamic radicals.

    If we wish to “truly honor the victims of 9/11” perhaps we should bear that in mind.

  2. Harry Post author

    No contradiction. As I said the sacred ground ends at the footprint of the former towers, it does not extend beyond. I do not care if they are for or against the Islamic Center, this is a New York City issue and should not be a concern for anyone else. And I never said that all people oppossing the Islamic Center are trying to advance their agenda by using this day. But the protesters and counter protesters are.

  3. Harry Post author

    When I passed my local fire station and saw all the men in their dress blues, I could be wrong but somehow it seemed they were thinking of their lost ones and not about Islamic Centers or buring Korans.

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