In the Garden of Good and Evil

No, not the book. Although I could understand if you might think that, since I do like to read. No, I am talking about what happened on September 11, 2001. On that day the world was witness to both great evil and greater good.

Hijackers at the behest of Osama bin Laden took over four American planes with the intent of killing as many people and destroying as many symbols of United States existence as they could. Two planes were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York, both north and south. A third plane was flown into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. The fourth plane was flown into the ground in a field in Pennsylvania. That fourth plane was retaken by a group of brave, steadfast, loyal Americans. Due to the amazing technology of cell phones they knew about the earlier planes crashing into buildings and killing innocent civilians. They were determined that they would not be used as a weapon, they were determined that they would do what they could to protect and defend our people and our country. Because of them that plane never reached its goal.

If Osama bin Laden's minions were the epitome of evil those who responded to their actions were the epitome of good, from those passengers of Flight 93, to the first responders who ran up the stairs of the World Trade Center towers to help those in need and to those on the ground who gave of themselves to help in some way shape or form. Too many to count.

As I sit here and listen to some of the speakers in Pennsylvania I was struck by the remarks made by Gordon Felt, whose brother was a passenger on Flight 93. His words embody my thoughts and I cannot see where I could improve upon them. I assume they will eventually show up on YouTube, everything does. I will watch and add that to this post if I run across a video of his remarks. Because they are important. Meanwhile, here is a written version of some of his thoughts:

Gordon Felt's thoughts

I too wish for a September 12^th moment, when we were all unified, intent on standing together as one. I too wonder, as I watch the pitiful behavior of some who would not even consider putting the well being of others before their “rights” as Americans, are we worthy of the sacrifice made by all of those on 9/11?

Update:

I have not been able to find a video yet of Gordon Felt. However, I do have one of President George W. Bush in Pennsylvania on 9/11.   As Lee pointed out in the comments section Dubya has something to say that we should listen to.

President Bush remarks on 9/11

American Taliban

We have watched in horror and disgust the Taliban in Afghanistan oppressing women and girls, using them as property with very little rights of their own. The Taliban have said they have changed, but that remains to be seen.

Now I am watching with horror and disgust as our own version of the Taliban force their religious beliefs on others, just like their brethren in Afghanistan. I am referring to the new law in Texas banning abortions after 6 weeks of pregnancy. What is unusual about this law is that it allows average citizens to sue anyone helping a woman or girl obtain an abortion. The prize is $10,000. Not bad for someone who may be scrimping to live.

Texas abortion law

President Biden in remarks said it was almost un-American. Almost? No, I will go further and say it is un-American. It is exactly what the Taliban in Afghanistan have forced on the female population in that country. Now we are seeing it here. And so far our Supreme Court has allowed it to stand. Despite the fact that the issue of abortion has been argued and decided in Roe v Wade.

Let me be clear, no one, and I mean no one has the right to decide for a woman what she can and cannot do with her body. It is her right to decide.

Remember...

I Am Woman

I stand with my sisters who are facing the oppressive, un-American, actions of our American Taliban in Texas and elsewhere.