anotheranon (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
anotheranon) wrote2001-09-14 11:00 am
anotheranon) wrote2001-09-14 11:00 am
WTF??????
my commentary in italics below
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
September 13, 2001
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER AND REMEMBRANCE FOR THE VICTIMS
OF THE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked America in a
series of despicable acts of war. They hijacked four passenger jets,
crashed two of them into the World Trade Center's twin towers, a third into
the Headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense at the Pentagon, causing
great loss of life and tremendous damage. The fourth plane crashed in the
Pennsylvania countryside, killing all on board but falling well short of its
intended target apparently because of the heroic efforts of passengers on
board. This carnage, which caused the collapse of both Trade Center towers
and the destruction of part of the Pentagon, killed more than 250 airplane
passengers and thousands more on the ground.
Civilized people around the world denounce the evildoers who devised and
executed these terrible attacks. Justice demands that those who helped or
harbored the terrorists be punished -- and punished severely. The enormity
of their evil demands it. We will use all the resources of the United
States and our cooperating friends and allies to pursue those responsible
for this evil, until justice is done. (no arguments so far)
We mourn with those who have suffered great and disastrous loss. All our
hearts have been seared by the sudden and sense-less taking of innocent
lives. We pray for healing and for the strength to serve and encourage one
another in hope and faith.
Scripture says: "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted." (now is NOT the time to be quoting scripture.)
I call on every American family and the family of America to observe a
National Day of Prayer and Remembrance, honoring the memory of the thousands
of victims of these brutal attacks and comforting those who lost loved ones. (national day of remembrance and mourning, ok. But it is tasteless at best to ask for a national day of "prayer".)
We will persevere through this national tragedy and personal loss. In time,
we will find healing and recovery; and, in the face of all this evil, we
remain strong and united, "one Nation under God." (What nation under "god"? I'm not under god. I guess I'm not part of the nation then....)
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, September 14, 2001, as
a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist
Attacks on September 11, 2001. (Wrong, Mr. Bush. You have no authority to proclaim a national day of prayer. Of remembrance, yes, but not prayer). I ask that the people of the United States
and places of worship mark this National Day of Prayer and Remembrance with
noontime memorial services, the ringing of bells at that hour, and evening
candlelight remembrance vigils. I encourage employers to permit their
workers time off during the lunch hour to attend the noontime services to
pray for our land. (Great! Give them the time off to do what they need to do, I'm all for that. But don't set up makeshift chapels in gov't buildings, like they're doing here at my office right now!) I invite the people of the world who share our grief to
join us in these solemn observances.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of
September, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth. (that's "year of the Common Era", moron)
GEORGE W. BUSH
-----------------
Before you get all up in my face about this, I have a right to be upset. All this discussion of god and how we should go to church - to me this sends a subtle message that Americans not going to church on this day of "Prayer and Remembrance" are somehow not as patriotic, not as good, as Americans of a religious ilk. Or that people who aren't religious aren't as upset and sick and sad at the terrorist attacks as are good, God-fearing folks. Makes me sick.
Makes me sicker that some rooms in my office building are being offered as places "for a few quiet moments on this national day of remembrance and prayer". Let folks off during lunch to go do what they have to do, ok, but don't offer government facilities for this purpose.
And what makes me sickest is that it appears Bush & Co. are using this tragedy to push the whole "God and Church" thing.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
September 13, 2001
OF THE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked America in a
series of despicable acts of war. They hijacked four passenger jets,
crashed two of them into the World Trade Center's twin towers, a third into
the Headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense at the Pentagon, causing
great loss of life and tremendous damage. The fourth plane crashed in the
Pennsylvania countryside, killing all on board but falling well short of its
intended target apparently because of the heroic efforts of passengers on
board. This carnage, which caused the collapse of both Trade Center towers
and the destruction of part of the Pentagon, killed more than 250 airplane
passengers and thousands more on the ground.
Civilized people around the world denounce the evildoers who devised and
executed these terrible attacks. Justice demands that those who helped or
harbored the terrorists be punished -- and punished severely. The enormity
of their evil demands it. We will use all the resources of the United
States and our cooperating friends and allies to pursue those responsible
for this evil, until justice is done. (no arguments so far)
We mourn with those who have suffered great and disastrous loss. All our
hearts have been seared by the sudden and sense-less taking of innocent
lives. We pray for healing and for the strength to serve and encourage one
another in hope and faith.
Scripture says: "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted." (now is NOT the time to be quoting scripture.)
I call on every American family and the family of America to observe a
National Day of Prayer and Remembrance, honoring the memory of the thousands
of victims of these brutal attacks and comforting those who lost loved ones. (national day of remembrance and mourning, ok. But it is tasteless at best to ask for a national day of "prayer".)
We will persevere through this national tragedy and personal loss. In time,
we will find healing and recovery; and, in the face of all this evil, we
remain strong and united, "one Nation under God." (What nation under "god"? I'm not under god. I guess I'm not part of the nation then....)
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, September 14, 2001, as
a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist
Attacks on September 11, 2001. (Wrong, Mr. Bush. You have no authority to proclaim a national day of prayer. Of remembrance, yes, but not prayer). I ask that the people of the United States
and places of worship mark this National Day of Prayer and Remembrance with
noontime memorial services, the ringing of bells at that hour, and evening
candlelight remembrance vigils. I encourage employers to permit their
workers time off during the lunch hour to attend the noontime services to
pray for our land. (Great! Give them the time off to do what they need to do, I'm all for that. But don't set up makeshift chapels in gov't buildings, like they're doing here at my office right now!) I invite the people of the world who share our grief to
join us in these solemn observances.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of
September, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth. (that's "year of the Common Era", moron)
GEORGE W. BUSH
-----------------
Before you get all up in my face about this, I have a right to be upset. All this discussion of god and how we should go to church - to me this sends a subtle message that Americans not going to church on this day of "Prayer and Remembrance" are somehow not as patriotic, not as good, as Americans of a religious ilk. Or that people who aren't religious aren't as upset and sick and sad at the terrorist attacks as are good, God-fearing folks. Makes me sick.
Makes me sicker that some rooms in my office building are being offered as places "for a few quiet moments on this national day of remembrance and prayer". Let folks off during lunch to go do what they have to do, ok, but don't offer government facilities for this purpose.
And what makes me sickest is that it appears Bush & Co. are using this tragedy to push the whole "God and Church" thing.
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I think the part of the reason it bothers me is personal - I feel that "One Nation Under God" shouldn't be in the pledge in the first place as it does suggest (IMHO) that those who don't believe in a God (specifically, the Christian god) don't belong. I feel like when Bush mentions it in his proclamation it insensitively gives the notion that those not "under God" are not part of the nation, or that those "under God" are not as upset, not grieving as much, which could not be further from the truth.
Part of it is the fact that U.S. political leaders seem to invoke God over every little thing....political leaders do not need to be making statements about God, at least if they are speaking in their public, political capacity - everyone is entitled to their own personal statements/beliefs. But Bush put all of this in a governmental proclamation.
Also I feel that this constant mentioning of God by political leaders really cheapens the sentiments of truly religious people.
And finally, I feel like at this time it is very important not to create an atmosphere of divisiveness as a nation. I am aware that Bush/his speech writers may have meant the "one nation under God" to be inclusive, but really it is exclsive, because whenever these political leaders mention "God" it is always in the context of the Christian version of God, excluding all others, and especially excluding people of no faith at all. It is offensive in its cluelessness.
I like that Bush recommended that supervisors let their employees go to noontime services - in this time of enormous stress people should be let go to find whatever solace they need, be it from church, priests, or from friends, family, psychiatrists, support groups, etc. What really steamed me was discovering that some conference rooms in my building are being offered as places to pray. IMHO the government doesn't have a place offering that kind of solace, though I think they are to be commended for letting folks out of work to go find their own solace.
I hope I have clarified some of what concerned me. I also hope this reply is more cool-headed than my previous post.
Thank you for this debate. Please comment more often!
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