9/11/01 - Eleven Years Later

Each and every year, the pain of the 9/11 terrorist attack upon our nation instantly brings me back to the feelings and emotions that I felt on that dreadful day.

Like any other school day back in September, 2001, I was preparing breakfast for my two children.  I had the Fox News Channel on - watching the tail end of Fox and Friends when the first plane hit the World Trade Center tower.  I thought how strange this was being that it was a clear, sunny day with blue skies all around.  My second thought was:  could this really have been an accident?  My gut feeling said "no".  But when the second tower was hit, it was then that I my fear and gut instinct was correct.  I knew it was a horrific terrorist attack upon our country.  Even the Fox News Channel anchor, at the time, mentioned the possibility that it was a terrorist attack most likely perpetrated by Osama Bin Laden.

I can't remember much else that day.  My son told me yesterday that he and his sister were sent home early from school.  I must have picked them up, but I don't remember it.  I do remember staring with unbelief at the T.V. screen, seeing all the horror of that day as the Pentagon was struck by a third plane and the crash of the fourth plane in Shanksville, Pa.

While driving my mom to the doctor's office later this morning, I heard Glenn Beck state that he thought the memorial should have remained as the twin blue lights shining up to the sky where the towers used to stand.  Apparently, the reason this wasn't done on a permanent basis was because of the fear that it would "confuse the birds."  Huh???

Oh well.  What will be will be.  The memorial there is a comfort to those who lost loved ones.  The etching of each name lost in the attack is a fitting memorial (IMHO).  As the names were read off and were scrolled across the screen, the loss of almost 3,000 people that day becomes upsetting once again.  It takes a long time - several hours to get through the list.

I wanted to hear the name of someone I once knew back east - Robert Kaulfers - read at the scene.  But at the time, I think there was a commercial.  He was just one of the many heroes who ran TOWARDS the Towers to help save and rescue others.  He was killed that day (I think as one of the towers came crashing down).

Almost everyone I have mentioned this to tells me that they also knew someone who was killed on that dreadful day.

9/11 changed me.  It was the day that led to my website, Angels Helper and the accompanying message board that I had up for several years.  In 2004, I switched to blogging and Talk Wisdom was born.  The goal of this blog remains the same:

Talk Wisdom's goal is to defend the tenets and values of Biblical Christian faith. We defend our Constitutional Republic and Charters of Freedom, especially when speaking out against destructive social and political issues.

As followers of our Savior and Lord, we should boldly stand up for Jesus Christ in our present circumstances. He is our Savior, Lord, and King, and His love needs to be shed abroad in our hearts and in our world - now.

May God bless all those who mourn.  May He provide comfort to those who lost loved ones on that terrible day.  May the promises of Jesus Christ hold us up as we go through the trials and tribulations that come as a result of living in this fallen temporal world.  The Bible tells us that the whole earth, in fact, all of creation, groans for redemption.
 
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. (NKJV)


And that redemption is found through Jesus Christ.


Hbr 9:12 With his own blood--not the blood of goats and calves--he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. (NLT)


Sometimes man can behave in a good manner.  But none of us are ever completely good.  That takes holiness and righteousness - which are the attributes of God alone.

Oftentimes, it's the bad and the ugly that sinful man tends to hurl our way - leading to a path of utter destruction. 

No ordinary man/woman can save us.  Period.

Only Jesus Christ can. 


 For He is the way, the truth and the life.
 

Be sure that you know Him personally before you leave this brief and temporary earthly abode. 
 

~ Christine

A Moment of Silence

When remembering all of those who lost their lives due to the radical Islamic terrorist attack on that tragic day of 9/11/01, the best words shared are those spoken in prayer; especially for the loved ones who still grieve for them nine years later.

To the astonishment of recovery workers at Ground Zero, the Cross appeared miraculously from the wreckage on the site of the former World Trade Center.




Flanked by construction and recovery workers, police Chaplain Fr. Brian Jordan blesses the Cross.

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Please view the powerpoint video at Atlas Shrugs. It was created in February, 2002. We MUST NOT FORGET! WE WILL NOT FORGET!

Quote from President George W. Bush: "Freedom will be defended."

Bell Tolls for Victims of 9/11/01

There is something about a tolling bell at a memorial service that gets to me - every time. I was holding up O.K. this morning as I watched the Fox News coverage of Remembering 9/11/01. There was a moment of silence for the time that the two planes hit the World Trade Center in New York. There was a ceremony at the Pentagon, where Obama spoke and placed a wreath near the site where the third plane hit.

I did a few chores, which took me away from the TV set area. When I returned, I heard Megyn Kelly's interview with Bill Sammon - who briefly chronicled what had happened on that dreadful day and how President Bush reacted when he found out about the terrorist attack while sitting with a classroom filled with young children. Sammon mentioned that Bush thought about getting up abruptly and leaving, but in order to not cause panic and frighten the children, he waited until the teacher finished speaking.

I learned something new. According to Sammon, President Bush prayed as he got back on Air Force One, and he wept for those who died - and for our nation - which had been brutally attacked for the first time since Pearl Harbor.

It was interesting to hear some details about how many of the policies that President Bush put in place (which were constantly being criticized by the left) actually helped tremendously in preventing additional attacks over the following 7 1/2 years. Those who have been screaming about water boarding being "torture," should consider the torture that 2,974 people not only suffered from, but also DIED FROM on that dreadful day. No water boarded terrorist died. However, many additional pre-planned attacks were thwarted because of intense interrogation techniques.

The names of the heroes of Flight 93 were read at a memorial service held in Shanksville, PA. A bell tolled after the reading of each name. One woman, who started by stating, "my daughter..." and then read her name...got to me. I didn't catch the name of the daughter, because at that moment, the grief of that horrible day returned to me. My eyes welled up with tears and I sobbed.

The pain of that awful day runs deep; but I can't even imagine how deep the pain must still be for those who lost loved ones.

My two children were ages 17 and 14 when our nation was attacked by Islamic terrorists. In my post on 9/11/08, I wrote this in the comment section:

I was standing in the kitchen making breakfast for my two (then) high school aged children when I saw the first plane hit. I thought it may have been an accident - plane failure or pilot error. In the back of my mind, though, I wondered if it was done on purpose?

By the time my kids got to the table to eat, the second plane hit the towers. It was then that I knew it was terrorism.

The day only got worse...far worse.

Awful!!

We must NEVER FORGET!

September 12, 2008 9:20:00 AM PDT

WE MUST NEVER FORGET. In honor of all of those who lost their lives on that day, (including the heroic emergency responders who tried to get people out of the towers) and in respect for the families and friends who have to live with such loss for the rest of their lives - we must NEVER forget.

God bless all who mourn today - our entire nation, in fact. And may the families who grieve find comfort in Psalm 23 and the promises of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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Former 9/11 posts:

Tuesday, September 11, 2007: Remembering September 11, 2001

Monday, September 11, 2006: 9/11 Survivor: Sense of Urgency to Share Gospel

Monday, September 12, 2005: The Man Who Predicted 9/11

A Psalm for 9/11 and a Question

Psa 23:1 ¶ [[A Psalm of David.]] The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.


Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.


Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.


Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.


Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.


Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

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While listening to the Glen Beck radio program, he asked the question:

Are you a 9/10/2001-er, 9/11/2001-er, or 9/12/2001-er?

It was interesting to note what Glen articulated this morning. He mentioned that he can't even remember where he was, what he did, who he saw, or anything else that happened on 9/10/2001. However, he remembers exactly where he was, what he heard, when he heard it, what his reaction was, who he was with, what range of feelings went through his heart and mind, and how he felt on that fateful day of 9/11/2001.

I can too! Quite vividly, in fact.

I'm sure this is true for almost everyone.

Even though I can't remember such details about last Thursday, I can remember many, many details about that horrific day.

Glen went on to say that he can also remember how he felt and what he did on 9/12/2001.

Can you?

I still can!

It was a range of emotions that I will never forget. I can still picture the scene at the church when two friends and I attended a special service to pray, mourn, cry, repent, and begin to heal.

During his monologue, Glen pointed out that many in our government still live and act with the same mentality that they had before the terrorist attacks on that fateful day. That was probably the most judgmental opinion he shared.

He isn't the only one to do so.

If anyone watched C-Span this morning, the callers were quite varied on their opinions about (and for many - absolute contempt for) our government, too.

As usual, American opinions run the gamut - even seven years later.

I want to encourage people to speak their minds on this topic. I know that can be dangerous, because harsh opinions and comments are bound to be shared. Please try to keep your comments civil.

Glen was much more general and less judgmental when he stated something similar to the fact that 'others live their lives in the tragedy of that day - whatever that means to each individual.'

Still others, he stated, 'live in the 9/12/2001 mentality' - which, again, can mean different things to different people.

How do you live?

Where (emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually speaking) do you live today?

Are you a 9/10/2001-er, 9/11/2001-er, or 9/12/2001-er?

What does that mean to you, personally?

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Former related posts with additional links:

Remembering September 11, 2001

9/11 Survivor Sense of Urgency to Share Gospel

Why Is Fox News Protecting Obama?

Why Is Fox News Protecting Obama?

That's what I would like to know! It is so eerie to see that channel change the way that it has. Has Obamanation mania reached this former "fair and balanced" cable news channel as well? Seems like it to me!

My comment there:

Great article and comments - at least most of the comments were really good. The commenter who mocked Laura Ingraham for “wearing her religion on her sleeve” and so obviously had disdain for those who wrote so excellently about their Christian viewpoint and worldview - here’s a polite warning - don’t visit my blog! The rest of you may, in fact, like it.

Now to the subject at hand.

This article caught my attention precisely because I wanted answers to that same question!

Something has drastically changed at Fox News.

When E.D. Hill had her show dropped from the schedule (was she also fired?) just because she questioned whether or not the fist bump that Barack and Michele did after a campaign speech could, perhaps, be similar to a terrorist type of action, I knew that the namby-pamby Barack Obambi kid gloves were now officially on at Fox.

Hill’s comment could have just been laughed off. Why so sensitive? Why punish her so harshly?

Why the removal of the flag pins from their lapels? Our fight against Islamo-fascist terrorism is not over! If they were forced to do this because the bosses at Fox thought it might show favoritism towards John McCain...GIVE ME A FREAKIN’ BREAK!! It shows PATRIOTISM TOWARDS OUR NATION AND SUPPORT FOR OUR TROOPS FIGHTING FOR OUR FREEDOM IN HARMS WAY!

After reading this article and the comments, I can’t help but wonder if George Soros is secretly working behind the scenes at Fox. He’s got every other news outlet bought...doesn’t he?

I have switched to watching local news reports. I also now listen to Talk Radio and read blogs instead of viewing the Fox shows that I used to watch. Fox has officially lost my once loyal viewership.

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I was wondering...who made them start drinking the Obama Kool-Aid? I did go back and read some of the comments a second time and noticed this very interesting tidbit of information from "Ann":

Al-Waleed, A Saudi Arabian prince, has major stocks in NewsCorp which owns Fox. Now it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure that one out.

Fox's Saudi Prince

Murdoch is just looking to make money on both ends of the political spectrum.

One of the first things in a communist takeover: Control the media and all communications

That certainly explains it.

UGH!!!!

Wake up people and smell the rotten stench of communism and jihadism...combined!


HT's: Accuracy in Media

FrontPage Magazine

Crescent of Betrayal Controversy

Some people have a mindset that is likened to the depiction of three monkeys of "see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil" fame.

Sometimes there is a fourth one that is missing, so the first three state (scroll down a bit at the link):

"We have a fourth brother, admit no evil, but he left the group for a career in politics!"

The radical left liberals typically tend to "admit no evil," yet, they often do not hesitate to speak evil against those with whom they disagree.

Case in point.

It appears that Mike Rucker disagrees with my post yesterday regarding the Flight 93 Memorial petition. Of course, it is his right to do so. However, when someone utilizes that liberal bastion of "political correctness" (a.k.a. the New York Times) to make one's point, be ready to receive much more accurate counterpoints.

Here's Mike's comment:

mike rucker said...

a different perspective here.

an excerpt:

Sandra Felt, whose husband, Edward, died on Flight 93, said she could not fathom why people continued to see Islamic symbolism in the design.

“The land speaks for itself,” she said. “It’s in the shape of an embrace.”

After initial complaints, the original design title, “Crescent of Embrace,” was changed to “Circle of Embrace.”

Trees were also added to the plans to encircle the site and not leave a gap that created a crescent.

s. Felt told board members on Saturday that she strongly disagreed with the sentiment of the design critics.

“Wow. Such hate. I’m shocked,” she said, her voice choked with emotion. “When you insult the place and inflame events, I want you to know you hurt us, too.”

this might say something as well:

Memorial officials say that Mr. Burnett, and his wife, Beverly, are the only family members of victims who have spoken out against the design.

unless someone investigates the memorial's designer, Murdoch, and finds that he's closet al-Qaeda, i think those of us not directly tied to the ones who died should do a little less judging and allow those closest to the catastrophe to lead the way. to think that they, among all people, would approve something that smacks of Islamic influence is naive at best, but more likely just plain cruel and self-serving.

mike rucker
fairburn, georgia, usa
mikerucker.wordpress.com

Why is it that liberals don't like to capitalize the first letter of the first word of a sentence?

I've got my own theory on that - but let's go back to the subject at hand.

Notice how the one woman describes Mr. Burnett's viewpoint as "hate," and she claims that she's "shocked." One can't miss the black-tar-bitter icing on her radical liberal cake when she states:

“When you insult the place and inflame events, I want you to know you hurt us, too.”

Lady...LOOK IN THE MIRROR...PLEASE!


It appears that Mike agrees with the woman because he states:

i think those of us not directly tied to the ones who died should do a little less judging and allow those closest to the catastrophe to lead the way. to think that they, among all people, would approve something that smacks of Islamic influence is naive at best, but more likely just plain cruel and self-serving.

So. Mike thinks that Mr. Burnett - whose son perished in the tragedy - should not express his judgment against the design? He wasn't "close enough to the tragedy" like Ms. Felt was? His views are "naive at best?" His views (as well as mine and the thousands who are signing the petition) are "just plain cruel and self-serving?"


Here is my response to Mike:

Of course there are differing opinions, Mike. No one is saying otherwise.

However, Mr. Burnett (and the thousands who are against the design and have signed the petition) have the right to be heard and to share their grievances.

The Islamic symbolism may not mean much to many non-religious Americans. After all, many people wear crosses as jewelry - without adhering to the true significance of the cross of Christ.

I ask you. If the memorial was in the shape of a cross, do you think that there might be objections from non-Christians?

People would be furious! Even though many Christians onboard that flight were responsible for preventing the plane from reaching the intended target (either the White House or U.S. Capitol.)

Also, it is a fact that symbolism is VERY important in the Islamic world. That one fact alone should make the designers change it from the current crescent shape.

And Mike, did you go to the links and read about the other objections to what is being planned for the memorial site?

If not, go here and discover that there is much more than just the crescent shape of the memorial.

What do you think of including 44 glass blocks along the memorial - one for each person who died - including the four terrorists?

Excerpt:

...a new book from World Ahead Publishing, Crescent of Betrayal, describes the many Islamic and terrorist memorializing elements in the winning Crescent of Embrace design for the Flight 93 Memorial. Most importantly, a person facing directly into the half mile wide central crescent (still present in the superficially altered Bowl of Embrace redesign) is facing almost exactly at Mecca. A crescent that Muslims face into to face Mecca is called a mihrab and is the central feature around which every mosque is built.

Author Alec Rawls started investigating the crescent site-plans after the winning design was unveiled in September 2005, and spent much of 2006 trying to get the Memorial Project to come to grip with his findings. Every element of the entire crescent design turns out to be a typical mosque feature, realized on the same epic scale as the half-mile wide central crescent. The minaret-like Tower of Voices part of the memorial turns out to be a gigantic Islamic prayer-time sundial. There are 44 memorial glass blocks emplaced along the flight path, exceeding the number of our murdered heroes by the number of their murderers. And on it goes, for over a hundred pages of Mr. Rawls’ 300 page exposé.

When the Leftist Treasonfest Actually Began

While browsing the internet blogs for good content regarding the anniversary of that tragic day of 9/11, I found one that I think is a must read.

In part one you will read, to put it bluntly, about the rabid leftist loonies who were actually "never for us (America against Radical Islamofascist jihadists) before they were against us (America against Radical Islamofascists, Iranian insurgents, Muslim "extremists," in the Iraq war)."

Briefly, the linked post below shows documented evidence of the negative, anti-American attitudes of radical leftists (who absolutely hate our country, our traditions, our history and our government) just shortly after 9/11, as well as six years hence. The lying, untruthful conspiracy theories of these loons is only part of the damage that they have inflicted upon country and our brave soldiers in harms way. The real truth is, they were never really for us (America's efforts to combat radical Islamic terrorism) in the first place.

How sad it is to see that the "united we stand" attitude of most decent, hard-working, patriotic Americans in the wake of 9/11 could never really be applied to the radical left. On this day six years ago, they were already busy with their anti-American hate machine agenda.

Its truly sad. They are traitors, pure and simple and their leftist treasonfest goes on to even more shameful heights as the years go by. How awful... and very sad, too.

Part 2 of the post discusses the inevitability that the U.S. would have to invade Afghanistan one day. That section also mentions the current danger of Muslim appeasement in European countries and the four steps towards Islamification being done in areas throughout the world. It is also the author's opinion that it is a mistake to try to "win the hearts and minds" of would-be future Islamofascists (an opinion of which I differ with the author but since he is Jewish and I'm Christian, it might be feasible to see why we would differ on this issue). I see showing them who Jesus Christ is as the ultimate solution. The author includes many more insightful details.

Christine

P.S. Some definitions:

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
trai·tor /ˈtreɪtər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[trey-ter] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun

1. a person who betrays another, a cause, or any trust.
2. a person who commits treason by betraying his or her country.


trea·son (trē'zən) Pronunciation Key
n.
Violation of allegiance toward one's country or sovereign, especially the betrayal of one's country by waging war against it or by consciously and purposely acting to aid its enemies.

A betrayal of trust or confidence.


[Middle English, from Anglo-Norman treson, from Latin trāditiō, trāditiōn-, a handing over; see tradition.]


The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Path from 9/11 Six Years Hindsight (part 1)

Path from 9/11 Six Years Hindsight (part 2)


HT: Our Children Are the Guarantors

Found via:
LGF

Remembering September 11, 2001

This morning, I awoke at 4:00 a.m. and found myself unable to go back to sleep. I knew what day it was. Once again, the horror of that September morning came back to me. I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing; as I'm sure is true for everyone else. I turned on the TV to see the memorial events going on at the sites of the terrorist attacks.

Six years later, this day is still a deeply sorrowful one and an extremely hurtful time for our entire nation.

Yes. We still grieve. However, life does go on. It has to. But I hope that people will reflect upon the events of that day, remain steadfast in their faith, supportive of our troops in harms way to keep us safe from another attack, and, of course, take some time to say a prayer for the victims' families.

Over the years since 9/11/01, I have written newspaper "letters to the editor", message board posts, and blogposts commemorating that awful day.

It has been amazing to me (yet, not surprising) that the conspiracy theorists started their crazy, lunatic "explanations" for what had happened only two years out from that dreadful, tragic day.

It only got worse as the years went by. They have been refuted, time and time again, but just as the Bush haters will never change, so be it for the conspiracy theorists.

How ironic is it that the latest bin Laden tape is an attempt to get them to see that it was him, and his radical Islamic terrorist organization that was responsible for this attack upon our nation?

How weird is it that Bin Laden and his ilk obviously do not want the Bush Administration to "get credit" (so to speak) for that awful, evil deed that Osama and Al Qaida were so obviously responsible for?!

What a crazy, twisted world-of-Oz the conspiracy theorists live in!!!

The following articles and links are an accumulation of pieces I wrote and/or shared from other writers after the 9/11 tragedy. You may find yourself needing to ignore some of the comments at the end of some of the posts. Can't control the loons, you know...

Christine

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How Has Your Life Changed Since 9/11/01?"

LAST EDITED ON Sep-12-03 AT 12:05 PM (PST)

My best friend Kelly and her family went to NYC in 2002 and visited the cleared away site of the WTC towers. She brought back a special gift for me. It is a framed photo of the huge steel cross with the American flag in the background. This symbol of Christ's sacrifice for mankind was found in the wreckage. At the bottom of the photo are 5 men praying. This photo reminds me that every day of my life, time spent with family and friends, is a precious gift from the Lord.

As a result of that fateful day, who didn't find themselves asking, "if I were to die tonight, where would I spend eternity?" I realized that as a Christian, I should not ever waste the opportunity to share the Gospel with anyone who might be willing to listen. This tragic and sobering event in our nation's history has led many people to seek God for an answer to the purpose of their lives. I have given away Bibles and books to many teens and adults who need that answer. I have created a website and discussion forum which is dedicated to providing timeless biblical answers to life's most important questions. The biggest change in my personal life has been not to shy away or hide my faith, but to boldly share Christ with others. My new life verse is Ephesians 6:20b, "Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."

Christine

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It happened again. The year turned and Sept. 11 was on our calendar as it has been as long as there've been calendars. But Sept. 11 is different, as will be every one hereafter because of what happened that day, two years ago.

As FDR said of Dec. 7, 1941 – "a day that will live in infamy." That was the day of a massive attack on the United States of America at Pearl Harbor.

Sept. 11, 2001, is another such day. It was the day of a massive attack on this country and it, too, will live in infamy.

Or, will it?

The reality of that day, despite the enormity of the crime, the magnitude of the loss of life, the scope of the material loss, has frayed a bit – and it's only been two years.

What's changed? The people? The politics? The world? The law? The media? Our sensibilities?

Whatever it is, there's no doubt something is radically different in our attitude – our public attitude at least – and in my mind, it will lead to nothing less than our destruction as a people of American unity and our unity as an independent nation.



Read entire article at:

The Past is Present by Barbara Simpson at World Net Daily.

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In 2005, The Man Who Predicted 9/11

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In 2006, 9/11 Survivor: Sense of Urgency to Share Gospel

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See LGF's How Much We Have Forgotten

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Evening Update:

Sadly, we have Traitor Dennis Kucinich appearing on Syrian T.V. What a gutless, vile traitor he is!! I can't even stand to watch and listen to him! I agree with Michael Savage...Kucinich should have been arrested the moment he returned to the U.S.!!