Remembering 9/11

Most of us in America have lived through a few defining moments that shape our view of the world. Some of these, like the fall of the Berlin Wall and the moon landing were harbingers of hope, and we met those occasions with great excitement. Unfortunately some of these defining moments come in startling and deeply saddening events like the assassination of JFK and the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. We know exactly where we were and what we were doing when these life-altering events unfolded.

The attacks on September 11, 2001 forever changed us as a nation and as individuals in our daily lives. I want to share my memories of that day as I commemorate the lives of the victims and the heroes of 9/11.

I remember that I was on my way to my Tuesday set of college courses, and the day began normally. A quick breakfast, and out the door with my textbooks. We were listening to some morning show on the radio, and a report of the first plane striking the North tower came across the air. It was a sad idea that this had happened and at first I thought it was simply a tragic navigational error. I walked into my classroom, thinking that despite the circumstance, my day would be largely unaffected. The instructor had turned the television to one of the major networks, and we watched as the remaining students filed in for class. As we watched, we were horrified to view the second plane smash into the second tower. In an instant I knew this was no accident. This was further reinforced as I heard of the attack on the Pentagon and the brave passengers that brought Flight 93 into a Pennsylvania field.

I was shocked. Angry. Violated.

I felt a profound sadness for those whose lives were taken in the attacks. The fact that this well-coordinated attack had succeeded raised questions in my mind as to how we could prevent additional attacks in the future. I realized the stark contrast between 9/10 when I believed we were impervious, and the palpable exposure I felt that my homeland could be so injured.

After the initial shock had set in, the universal connection that drove the relief efforts, also stoked the fire of my patriotism. I was proud as ever to be an American.

I tend to play the anthropologist on many occasions, watching and evaluating the world around me. I found it fascinating that the Sunday following 9/11, one of the men in my church was telling crude jokes as a way to vent his anger toward the parties that support flying planes in to buildings. His usual worshipful demeanor had given way to base impulse. The events of 9/11 had indeed changed my life forever.

You don’t know jack about …

Glenn Beck.

This post is more about reasoned discourse in general than directed at Glenn Beck himself. I use the example of Mr. Beck because he is a very polarizing figure. More than anyone I know he’s characterized as being a villain and I believe wrongfully so. Many of the people that I know who dislike him do so based on sound bites and the opinions of others that they hear in passing. Their comments are not based in personal knowledge, but on hearsay.

I have done my homework. I have listened to thousands of hours of Glenn Beck’s radio shows, his television broadcasts and special documentaries produced by Mercury Radio Arts. When I speak of Glenn Beck, I do know what I’m talking about, because I have spent the time to get to know the man behind the words. There is context here that critics can rarely muster.

artist - unknown source: spencersb.blogspot.com

This is the vital point. An honest critic will refute the substance of the argument, complete with contextual considerations. There is no room for ad hominem attacks, straw-man arguments, and mud-slinging.

If you want to rise to the level of a true intellectual, you should be able to state your opponent’s argument to their satisfaction, and then refute it in a reasoned manner. This means that instead of divisive statements like, “The Republicans just want to kill grandma” and “Democrats support killing babies,” we need to get the buy-in from our ideological adversaries. They should be able to say, “What you just said is exactly what I believe to be true.” Only when we begin with the goal of fostering understanding will we have a chance at remaining united, while still having differences of opinion. Is it worthwhile for us to remain united?

Allow me to illustrate my point with a personal application. I have a friend who told me once that the military is essentially a dead-end job, and that they felt the only people who would enlist are dumb. This frustrated me, as this person is a public school teacher, and would certainly be offended by the assertion that, “People who cannot do, teach.” Sweeping generalizations are perilous to our credibility, and we must divorce ourselves of their use. We should adopt the principle of treating others the way we would like to be treated.

Back to Glenn Beck. He is the most transparent public figure I can name. By all accounts, he is the same on-screen and off. Mr. Beck is dedicated to being genuine, largely because he spent too much of his life hiding behind a bottle of Jack Daniels. He watched his life unravel before him, and in the midst of the tumult, he found friends that would not give up on him. He found renewed purpose, largely because of his relationship with God, and has pulled himself from near obscurity and ruin to his current stature as a media giant and a decent guy. This very abbreviated bio would become obvious to anyone who would care to do even a week of research to get to know him. Glenn beck is a good man, who is passionate about what he believes. Want to get to know Glenn Beck a little?

You may disagree with him. That’s okay. You may not agree with a lot of people. Just don’t let your zeal for “your side” allow you to lose your soul, just so you can make a point.

Happy Independence Day 2011

Image via Wikipedia

As we celebrate our Declaration of Independence this year there are a few things I would like each American citizen to consider. Some of the feelings we should allow to settle upon us ought to be thrilling, hopeful, and imbued with festive fun. We also ought to take a few moments to solemnly meditate on the fragility of our freedoms, the sacrifices of those who have gone before, and the duty each citizen bears to uphold our liberty.

I contend that it is the revolutionary idea that man can rule himself, which led to the birth of the United States of America, and which has dramatically improved the lives of people around the world.

Today I extend my gratitude to our Founding Fathers whose courage in the face of incredible opposition tied a nation together.

I thank each soldier who has given of themselves to secure our land and to defend those who face oppression.

I also am awed by the common citizens who, while working tirelessly to do the best they can in providing for their families, find a moment to speak up in defense of the principles that framed the nation. I feel that I am a part of this group and am proud to be united with each of you in this common goal.

May God bless America with continued freedom, and may we press forward with renewed determination to uphold justice for all.