September 12, 2010

• Still Waiting

  As you all know, yesterday marked the 9th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on America. I'm not one of those whack job crazies who believes that it was an inside job, but instead like 95% of the country, I believe that the person behind the attacks was Osama Bin Laden. There was a survey that was done recently in which 67% of Americans believe that we will never catch or kill Bin Laden. Since the attacks, I've believed that we would never catch him. Every year around September 11 I post about how he has not been caught because I think we need to constantly remind ourselves that he remains at large.

  I wish I could say that Americans were more concerned with catching him, but let's be honest, we took our eye of the ball years ago and now people have forgotten about him or just don't seem to care as much. Instead they are more focused on things that don't matter, like where somebody wants to build a mosque or if somebody is going to burn a Quran. Instead of focusing on the fact that Bin Laden is still alive and free, the media and the American public spent the better part of the past week in a heated debate over a group of Americans exercising their right of freedom of religion to build a  mosque two blocks from Ground Zero in New York City. Honestly, does this matter? Does it bring us any closer to catching Bin Laden? And how about the Florida pastor who was exercising his right to freedom of speech by planning (and since, canceling) a gather to burn the Quran? Being outraged or upset about either means nothing and does little, why isn't that outrage directed towards our elected officials for not bring Bin Laden to justice?

  Every year on September 11 the country pauses to honor the victims and heroes of the attacks. Don't get me wrong, it is a nice gesture; certainly a well deserved honor for those who gave their lives to save others. Some people refer to it as Patriot Day. But, what is really patriotic is contacting your senator or congressperson to let them know that we have not forgotten that Bin Laden is still out there. President Obama has expanded the war in Afghanistan and while that may or may not be the right thing to do, it is probably not going to help us catch Bin Laden because we know he is probably not there; he is most likely in Pakistan. Contacting our elected officials is the only way to help them remember that the priority should be catching Bin Laden.

  And while you are at it, ask them to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" as we can certainly use all the help we can get. Here is a copy of what I sent:

  Dear Senator Durbin:

  Every year I take the time to write you to ask that we keep our eye on the ball in trying to catch Osama Bin Laden. This year is different than others. We have a chance to do more to catch him and strike a blow for civil rights by ending "Don't Ask Don't Tell." Right now Democrats have the means to end this injustice, something they might not have after November. I kindly ask that you strongly push to have this repealed this month before Senators go into full reelection mode in late September and October.

  Also, can you give me an update on attempts to catch Bin Laden and bring him to justice. Thank you for your time.

  • 10:17 pm
  • 1 Comment